Issuu

UCLA TRANSFER KYLIE MILLER HOPES TO FILL ROLE ON VOLLEYBALL TEAM PAGE 4

LATE WEEK THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

MNDAILY.COM

SERVING THE UMN COMMUNITY SINCE 1900

NEIGHBORHOODS

FACULTY

Student concern of professor scandal leads to class removal Internal investigations found Gianluigi Veglia violated the University’s sexual harassment policy. BY MICHELLE GRIFFITH mgriffith@mndaily.com

KAMAAN RICHARDS, DAILY

“Elijah the Nonprofit” plays an original song on his custom guitar in Dinkytown on Saturday, Sept. 7. Elijah intends to use his love of music to start a program for troubled youth in the area.

Home, on Dinky’s streets

Where pasts vary, a sense of community flourishes. BY DYLAN MIETTINEN dmiettinen@mndaily.com

In Dinkytown, it can be heard long before it’s seen: the drumming and singing of Chris “Zannman” Zann and a man known exclusively as Elijah the Prophet. Though Zannman’s drum top is slightly torn, he makes do by pounding on its side and rim with a rock in one hand and a spice bottle in the other. Elijah’s drum is actually made from a painted and

sticker-clad guitar, what he calls a “community project.” Passersby sometimes stop to listen to the music, some glance down and smile, while others just disregard the makeshift band entirely. A few look ahead and speed up. While homeless individuals have resided near the University of Minnesota area for decades, many say Dinkytown has seen a noticeable increase in the past few years, reflecting city-wide trends. Shelter counts in January 2018 and January 2019 showed a 50 percent increase in homelessness in Hennepin County in the past year. Zann, who is working on a book about homelessness in and around the Twin Cities, says he likes to stay in the Dinkytown area be-

RESEARCH

Doctors give more opioids later in day Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Harvard University carried out the study. BY GWIWON JASON NAM gnam@mndaily.com

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota and Harvard University demonstrated that primary care physicians are more likely to prescribe opioids later in the day and when they’re running behind schedule. This is the first national study that has looked at opioid prescribing over the course of a day. “We did this study because there’s this widespread concern in the medical community that time pressure in medicine can change the way that physicians make decisions for their patients,” said Hannah Neprash, a lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the University’s School of Public Health. Researchers studied a large electronic database of physician visits to examine how physicians’ prescribing rate changed with patients that they saw later in the day or whose appointments started behind schedule. “We looked at a national database whereas prior studies have only used data from single centers, and no one has yet examined what happens as appointments run behind,” said Dr. Michael Barnett, the study’s co-author and assistant professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Researchers found that prescriptions of two non-opioid forms of pain treatment, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and physical therapy, don’t follow the same pattern. “NSAIDs and physical therapy referrals are first-line options for many types of pain,” said Dr. Mitesh Patel, director of the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit and an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania. “By showing a similar pattern did not exist here, it means that time of day is impacting opioid prescribing and not u See OPIOIDS Page 3

cause of the sense of community. “We are a community, we survive by collectivism. It’s equity,” Zann said. “We’re about peace, love and tranquility and making sure that nobody is hungry or thirsty or freezes to death. Here, it’s a community of brothers and sisters.” ‘Regular fixtures’ in Dinkytown While there is no foolproof way to gauge the amount of homeless individuals who use campus facilities or may stay for periods of time on or near campus, according to the University of Minnesota Police Department, at least one incident report is filed per day relating to a homeless individual, with an increase during winter months. u See HOMELESSNESS Page 3

After multiple graduate students voiced their concerns over a professor’s past conduct, a University of Minnesota course was canceled only days before the fall semester began. In 2017, tenured instructor Gianluigi Veglia violated the University’s sexual harassment policy as found in two Universityconducted investigations, according to a notice of proposed discipline letter. The Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics removed the course, called Introduction to Modern Structural Biology - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, after it received multiple complaints late last month about Veglia teaching the course. In a 2017 report from the office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, female students in his lab alleged Veglia had sexually pursued and made comments toward them, commenting on their clothing and appearance. Veglia denied these allegations, among many others. The EOAA recommended Veglia be suspended from the BMBB department’s graduate program through the 2019-20 school year, but he is currently teaching a course in the chemistry department. Right now, Veglia is allowed to teach any course, should he be assigned, according to BMBB Department Head David Bernlohr. The NMR class, which is only offered in the fall, has not been taught in over a year. Veglia is one

of the few instructors who can teach the class because it requires a specific skill set, according to department staff. Veglia’s assignment to teach the NMR course was brought to students’ attention when they tried to register for the class, said fourth-year graduate student and BMBB graduate program student representative Michael Lopresti. Bernlohr said it was “indicated” to students last year that Veglia would teach the class, this was the first time this year those in the program had heard Veglia was teaching a BMBB class, Lopresti said. Bernlohr also said the faculty collectively made the decision to assign Veglia as the course instructor. When asked why the department did not let students know Veglia was going to be teaching in the BMBB department again, Bernlohr said, “We probably should have.” “I think we had communicated a year ago that he wasn’t going to be teaching last year and would likely teach this year. … We didn’t think it would be a surprise, but obviously that wasn’t something that all the students realized,” Bernlohr said. The lack of communication about Veglia’s class assignment harms the already fragile relationship between the department and the students, said Kelly Wallin, a fifth-year BMBB graduate student. “There’s been no acknowledgement to the general graduate student body that this happened, it wasn’t supposed to happen … and someone is going to make sure it isn’t going to happen again,” Wallin said. Mistrust grew between students and the BMBB department u See HARASSMENT Page 3

ACTIVISM

Activists, UMN students show support for alleged Richard Liu victim Attendees supported the alleged victim, a University student, at a hearing Wednesday. BY EMMA DILL edill@mndaily.com

Members of a feminist group and University of Minnesota students showed support for a student and alleged rape victim of Chinese billionaire Richard Liu at a hearing Wednesday, Sept. 11. The hearing is the first motion in a civil lawsuit filed by University student Liu Jingyao against JD.com founder Richard Liu. Liu Jingyao was publicly identified as the alleged victim when she filed the suit against Richard Liu in April. Activists and students watched the court proceedings and took photos outside the courtroom with a sign that expressed support for Liu Jingyao and referenced the #MeToo movement. Activist Xiaowen Liang flew to Minneapolis from New York City to attend the hearing. Liang, a recent law school graduate, organizes for the group Free Chinese

Feminists, which arranged the gathering. Liang said showing up to the hearing allowed her to voice support for Liu Jingyao more directly. “I felt like it’s very important to have actual, in-person support. I want to let people know that the support’s not only online,” Liang said. “There are actual people who will show up for this case who really believe in Jingyao.” Rose Liu, another activist, flew in from Washington D.C. to attend the hearing. Both Rose Liu and Liang said they wanted to change the images and narratives that surround media coverage of the lawsuit, which has centered around Richard Liu. “To have his face be the image that’s representing this issue makes it seem like it’s one about individual misbehavior when really, for us, the issue is much bigger than that,” Rose Liu said. “It’s one that’s important for Chinese women and women more generally.” The alleged incident occurred in August 2018 when Liu Jingyao was invited to a dinner with Richard Liu and other Chinese executives who were taking part in the University’s

EMMA DILL, DAILY

Demonstrators, two of which are from the group Free Chinese Feminists, stand outside the courtroom inside the Hennepin County Government Center on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The four were showing their support for Liu Jingyao on the first hearing of a civil case brought against Richard Liu.

Doctor of Business Administration China program. Liu Jingyao, who was volunteering with the program, was the only volunteer invited to the dinner, a “business networking event” meant to “honor” volunteers. The 21-yearold was the only female at the table

of male executives, according to court documents. After dinner, Richard Liu allegedly raped Liu Jingyao in her Minneapolis apartment. Richard Liu was not criminally u See LIU HEARING Page 3

STUDENT LIFE

University students bid final farewell to Centennial dining hall Centennial Hall’s dining facility closed ahead of Pioneer Hall opening its renovated dining hall. BY MICHAEL MCGOUGH mmcgough@mndaily.com

Centennial Dining Hall closed its doors this summer after feeding students, staff and faculty at the University of Minnesota for years. In it’s place, Pioneer Hall now houses Superblock’s sole dining hall. Pioneer Hall reopened this fall after undergoing a $104.5 million renovation that added a new dining facility to the building. Now, Pioneer Hall is responsible for feeding the more than 2,800 residents of Superblock — which also encompasses Frontier Hall, Territorial Hall and Centennial Hall — on the University’s East Bank campus. Prior to Pioneer Hall’s renovations, Centennial Hall and Pioneer Hall both operated dining facilities

JACK RODGERS, DAILY

From left, Mike Lau, Roudra Bhattacharya, Nathan Hafey, Matt Legler and Jeevan Prakash enjoy a meal in the newly renovated Pioneer Dining Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Pioneer replaces Centennial as the only dining hall available to students living in Superblock.

simultaneously. Now, with the absence of Centennial’s dining hall, Superblock is adjusting to having just one dining hall.

Freshman Kevin Vang said that the line to eat at Pioneer’s dining hall can stretch out the residence hall’s front doors. Milli

Sandhu, another freshman, said she had difficulty finding the vegetarian options because the dining hall was busy. Meanwhile, many students must bid farewell to Centennial’s dining hall, which some say helped them adjust to life at the University by providing warm food and a place to socialize. After senior Carson Mummert transferred to the University, Centennial Dining Hall served as a place to spend time with friends between classes. “I used to go there with my friends a lot a few semesters ago,” Mummert said. “The food was super good, and it was convenient.” Mummert’s fondness for Centennial is mirrored by other students who speak nostalgically about the dining hall. Junior Peter Goncharov said it’s “too bad” that Centennial Dining Hall closed. Goncharov spent a lot of time u See CENTENNIAL Page 3 VOLUME 120 ISSUE 4

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

MN DAILY

EXTENDED WEATHER FORECAST THURSDAY FRIDAY 67° 61° 56° 51° Thunderstorms

Daily Review

MNDAILY.COM

Cloudy

SATURDAY 74° 61° Thunderstorms

SUNDAY 80° 66°

Mostly sunny

MONDAY 86° 72° Mostly sunny

Thursday, September 12, 2019 Vol. 120 No. 4

An Independent Student Newspaper, Founded in 1900. 2221 University Ave. SE, Suite 450, Minneapolis, MN 55414

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

Phone: (612) 627-4080 Fax: (612) 435-5865

1953 John F. Kennedy marries Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island.

HISTORYCHANNEL.COM/TDIH

U clarifies faculty expectations A UMN committee aims to clarify when faculty misconduct requires discipline. BY NIAMH COONEY ncooney@mndaily.com In an initiative that will likely span several years, the Faculty Consultative Committee at the University of Minnesota is turning its attention to developing guidelines for how faculty conduct is addressed. While students and faculty alike have set codes of conduct to follow approved by the Board of Regents, there is not as much guidance in place for how supervisors respond to faculty misconduct. Having continued discussions about this topic is one of the FCC’s top priorities this upcoming year. FCC Chair Amy Pittenger said the conversation is in its very early stages, and that the end goal has

not been fully crystallized. However, FCC members know they want to create something that will provide clearer expectations for University faculty when discipline is necessary. “There already is a regents code of conduct and there are actually lots of other statements out there … that describe what we expect from behavior,” she said. “When that behavior is out of alignment with our existing values and policies, what are the guidelines for disciplinary action?” Phil Buhlmann, the FCC vice chair, said that he hopes this initiative will help create stronger rules, especially in situations that may be sensitive and not publicized, such as instances of sexual misconduct. This will allow the public to feel more confident that the University is handling it properly, he said. “I think that we would build more trust within [the] University and beyond if

we had clearer guidelines,” Buhlmann said. While faculty misconduct is rare, Buhlmann emphasized, it tends to get more attention than good conduct. Administration has a responsibility to address this poor behavior when it occurs, he said. Because there has been a cultural shift toward more openness in instances of misconduct, specifically sexual misconduct, this topic hasn’t been discussed in-depth until recently, Buhlmann said, making it a fairly new issue for universities to tackle. “Victims are in an environment where they can more readily speak up and that’s actually a fantastic development, that’s very welcome, but at the same time it’s brought the topic more to the forefront,” he said. The University isn’t alone in this, he said, and work has been done to collaborate with other

universities. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine created an initiative collaborating with representatives from more than 40 colleges, universities and research institutions including the University, to tackle issues of sexual harassment within higher education. Buhlmann, one of the University’s representatives to the initiative, emphasized his support for it, but also noted that the FCC’s initiative aims to address broader guidelines than just those referencing sexual misconduct. Colin Campbell, the associate dean for graduate education in the Medical School, established a code of conduct for graduate faculty in the Medical School, which was voted on and approved by Medical School faculty, he said. Pittenger said she highly approves of Campbell’s document and hopes it will

be a helpful reference to use as they continue discussing this topic within the FCC this year. Campbell said the language of documents of this kind is especially important. He wanted his code of conduct to be concrete and specific. He noted the importance of the inclusion of the definition of words like “neglect” within the document, which puts clearer guidelines in place for faculty and student relationships, and illustrates exactly what abuse of those relationships looks like. Buhlmann also said that including more specific guidelines helps both to protect faculty and serves to better discipline them when need be. The FCC will continue to consult with students and other stakeholders in this topic in order to make informed decisions about the topic going forward, Buhlmann said.

MSA, city seek to expand student housing The interim city inclusionary zoning ordinance excludes student housing. BY MOHAMED IBRAHIM mibrahim@mndaily.com Minneapolis city officials and student government members are working to define where students fit in affordable housing policy. The Minnesota Student Association is working with the city this fall to include student housing in an inclusionary zoning policy after it was excluded from the interim ordinance. City officials hope updating the policy to include students will provide more affordable housing options on and around campus. The interim ordinance, which went into effect Jan. 1, requires developers seeking city approval for large-scale developments

to reserve 10 percent of the building’s units as affordable housing. The policy defines households with an income at or below 60 percent area median as eligible for affordable housing. But students as a demographic present unique challenges because federal regulations prevent them from being eligible for affordable housing programs. The interim ordinance excluded developers of student housing, which is defined as properties owned by or close to a college that requires 60 percent of units to be leased to students. As discussions between MSA’s new administration and Ward 3 City Council Member Steve Fletcher continue into the semester, they hope to find a solution that benefits students, city officials and developers alike, said Rebecca Cowin, MSA’s local government and advocacy coordinator.

“We want to make sure that it’s an accessible system that students can access, but we don’t want to make it too complicated so that property managers are discouraged,” Cowin said. “It’s definitely a balance of making sure that both sides of the parties can access it.” Cowin said potential solutions to navigating that gray area include other affordable housing qualifications for students outside of income. These could include students’ eligibility for Federal Pell Grants or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, she said. Students may surrender safety or affordability to find a place before the semester starts, which can negatively impact both their University experience and well-being, Cowin said. “When you get past your first year, there’s not a lot of opportunity to stay on

campus in the few apartment buildings that they do have,” Cowin said. “I frequently hear stories of people sacrificing either their academics or their mental health to maintain their living situation, and many others sacrifice sometimes privacy and safety to stay in a place that has lower rent.” Fletcher, whose ward includes Dinkytown and the rest of Marcy-Holmes, said providing affordable housing for students who need it could potentially benefit all students seeking housing around campus. “In general, people are looking for the cheapest option they can get,” Fletcher said. “If some people who have the option of getting into that student housing take it, then that’s going to also take some pressure off the competition for all other units and hopefully bring prices down overall.” Fletcher said he hopes the updated policy will

go into effect alongside the city’s comprehensive Minneapolis 2040 plan in November. The updated ordinance, along with a proposed $31 million allocation by Mayor Jacob Frey’s 2020 budget, are various avenues city, state and federal officials are taking to increase affordable housing options. “We are maintaining our commitment to capture and dedicate as many state and federal resources for affordable housing as possible,” Frey said in his budget address Aug. 15. “And we’ve been successful.” As the ordinance progressed, more opportunities for student input will play a part, Fletcher said. “Students organizing and really demanding more affordable housing — demanding it of developers, demanding it of the University and demanding it of the City — is the way that we’re going to get things done,” Fletcher said.

U faculty discuss new mandatory disability training UMN committee plans to roll out mandatory faculty disability training. BY NIAMH COONEY ncooney@mndaily.com The University of Minnesota’s Faculty Consultative Committee started the school year with a collaboration between several organizations on campus to discuss one of their top priorities this year: mandatory faculty disability training. Representatives from Boynton Health, the Aurora Center for Advocacy & Education, the Disability Resource Center and the Organization for Graduate and Professional Students with Disabilities were present to contribute to the discussion at a recent FCC retreat . The FCC’s initiative to implement mandatory disability training will be ongoing throughout this year. A resolution namely authored by OGPSD and the Disabilities Issues Committee was passed by the University Senate last spring and initiated much of the conversation around this topic.

FCC Chair Amy Pittenger said much was learned at the retreat, which took place late last month, and that the FCC will continue to work with these groups on this topic in the future. “I think we had a really good kick off at the retreat where we were able to learn a lot from the guests that we had there and also were able to provide a lot of information to those guests who I believe will be definitely integral to the ultimate development of the training,” she said. Ryan Machtmes, president of OGPSD, said he feels confident that the conversation will be ongoing, and that he will continue to work with the FCC. “The meeting was overall very productive. It was a very early meeting in what will be a long process. It was not a one off,” he said. The initiative is in a very early stage, Pittenger noted, so specific topics are yet to be discussed. Benjamin Munson, chair of the Disabilities Issues Committee, weighed in on how the training should be framed, and said that how it’s presented to faculty

will be vital to its success. Some professors would not respond well to being told they need additional training, he said. Munson added that changes need to take place to truly improve the academic experience of students with disabilities. Those who want to change will, he said. “The question is will the University continue to invest in those people so that they can provide the local expertise that will allow individual units, departments, centers … to have the momentum to change their curricula on a bigger scale,” he said. OGPSD Vice President Daniel Greenberg voiced support for the initiative as well and said that faculty have a responsibility to develop a better understanding of disabilities and their students’ needs so that they can better support them. ”I think oftentimes people think that the [DRC] is supposed to handle absolutely everything, well they can’t,” Greenberg said. “They handle all the academic accommodations and support on that front, but their reach only goes so far.”

NUR B. ADAM, DAILY

Ryan Machtmes, Cofounder of the Organization for Graduate and Professional Students with Disabilities, poses for a portrait in Coffman Memorial Union on Monday, Sept. 9.

Greenberg noted that many students with disabilities tend to question their sense of belonging at universities. Faculty attitudes have an enormous impact on this, Greenberg said, making the FCC’s initiative an important one. Munson said he hopes that the mandatory training is carried out in a way that helps to contribute to larger change on the issue of accessibility for students with disabilities. “I think the training is going to be more than just a training. It’s going to be an educational experience to get people to do the long

term mindset shifts that we really need [in order] to stop putting Band-Aids on problems,” he said.

“I think oftentimes people think that the [DRC] is supposed to handle absolutely everything, well they can’t.” DANIEL GREENBURG OGPSD Vice President

OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER Cleo Krejci Editor-in-Chief ckrejci@mndaily.com (612)-227-5914 Kyle Stumpf Business Operations Officer kstumpf@mndaily.com (612)-435-5772 EDITORIAL STAFF Max Chao Managing Editor mchao@mndaily.com Desmond Kamas Managing Production Editor dkamas@mndaily.com Michelle Griffith Campus Activities Editor mgriffith@mndaily.com Katrina Pross Campus Administration Editor kpross@mndaily.com Madeline Deninger City Editor mdeninger@mndaily.com Audrey Kennedy Features & Freelance Editor akennedy@mndaily.com Paul Hodowanic Sports Editor phodowanic@mndaily.com Nick Jungheim Assistant Sports Editor njungheim@mndaily.com Liv Martin A&E Editor lmartin@mndaily.com Jack Rodgers Multimedia Editor jrodgers@mndaily.com Emily Martens Copy Desk Chief emartens@mndaily.com Cate Tynjala Assistant Copy Desk Chief ctynjala@mndaily.com Creston Halstead Chief Page Designer chalstead@mndaily.com Morgan La Casse Visuals Editor mlacasse@mndaily.com =

EDITORIAL BOARD Ariana Wilson Editorials & Opinions Editor awilson@mndaily.com BUSINESS Jacob Kenyon Sales Manager jkenyon@mndaily.com David Keane Controller dkeane@mndaily.com =

Correction: A previous version of the article titled “Sister Species melds color with chaos” misstated the range of one of the band members and the cost of the event. The band member has a three-octave musical range and the event costs $10. The Minnesota Daily strives for complete accuracy and corrects its errors immediately. Corrections and clarifications will always be printed in this space. If you believe the Daily has printed a factual error, please call the readers’ representative at (612) 627–4070, extension 3057, or email errors@mndaily.com immediately. The Minnesota Daily is a legally independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and is a student-written and student-managed newspaper for the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus. The Daily’s mission is: 1) to provide coverage of news and events affecting the University community; 2) to provide a forum for the communication and exchange of ideas for the University community; 3) to provide educational training and experience to University students in all areas of newspaper operations; and 4) to operate a fiscally responsible organization to ensure its ability to serve the University in the future. The Daily is a member of the Minnesota News Council, the Minnesota Associated Press, the Associated Collegiate Press, The Minnesota Newspaper Association and other organizations. The Daily is published Monday and Thursday during the regular school year and weekly during the summer, and it is printed by ECM Publishers in Princeton, Minn. Midwest News Service distributes the 10,000 issues biweekly. All Minnesota Daily inserts are recyclable within the University of Minnesota program and are at least 6 percent consumer waste. U.S. Postal Service: 351–480.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Homelessness

The root causes of homelessness Homelessness is largely driven by a primary factor: lack of affordable housing, said John Tribbett, the street outreach manager with St. Stephen’s, a nonprofit which provides resources to homeless individuals. The organization partnered with UMPD last year to address homelessness around the University. “In the Twin Cities, we consistently see higher occupancy rates for a larger metro area. We have rents increasing year by year, yet wages remain stagnant,” Tribbett said. Because the housing available to Twin Cities residents is sparse and often unaffordable, landlords can be more selective in the tenants they choose, Tribbett said. That means if an individual has a blemished record, such as a criminal background, a landlord can simply turn them down and draw from the large pool of housing applicants. There are also the historical remainders of racial covenants put in place to discourage and disallow the ownership of property by people of color in certain areas, Tribbett said. While American Indians make up only 1 percent of the population in Minnesota, they account for 12 percent of the state’s homeless population, according to findings by Wilder Research, an organization studying homelessness in Minnesota.

Black adults consist of 5 percent of the state’s population but 37 percent of the homeless population. The University’s accessibility by public transportation may be another reason for the area’s homelessness increase, said David Hewitt, director of Hennepin County’s Office to End Homelessness. The Green Line train is now being replaced by buses between 2 and 4 a.m. on weekdays, which Hewitt said may displace people who used it as shelter during the night. “The time that this shift is happening, most of our shelters would be full, so it’s hard to find alternative places for people to stay,” Hewitt said. Tribbett said that the move is like many others: a discomfort with and nonsolution for homelessness. Even subtle designs, called environmental engineering, can make it difficult for homeless individuals to exist comfortably in public spaces. For example, the designs of the angled seats at the West Bank, East Bank and Stadium Village Metro stops do not allow homeless individuals to sleep there overnight, Tribbett said. According to Hewitt, homelessness is a complex issue, with a multitude of causal factors. Those with safety nets may avoid living on the streets, whereas those without may have nowhere else to go. “Loss of a spouse, serious health issues, chemical de-

pendencies, abuse disorders, mental health issues: these are some of many of the things that homeless people face. They’re just not easily able to bounce out of their situation as someone with adequate resources can,” he said. Tribbett said that the move is like many others: a discomfort with and nonsolution for homelessness. Even subtle designs, called environmental engineering, can make it difficult for homeless individuals to exist comfortably in public spaces. For example, the designs of the angled seats at the West Bank, East Bank and Stadium Village Metro stops do not allow homeless individuals to sleep there overnight, Tribbett said. According to Hewitt, homelessness is a complex issue, with a multitude of causal factors. Those with safety nets may avoid living on the streets, whereas those without may have nowhere else to go. “Loss of a spouse, serious health issues, chemical dependencies, abuse disorders, mental health issues: these are some of many of the things that homeless people face. They’re just not easily able to bounce out of their situation as someone with adequate resources can,” he said.

Opioids

Centennial

Rally

u from Page 1

these other prescribing behaviors.” This study adds to the growing evidence that the time of day significantly impacts clinician decisions and indicates that more work needs to be done to address this issue, Patel said. Jason Doctor, an associate professor and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Southern California, and his team conducted a similar study on antibiotic prescriptions in 2014. Doctor said the increase in prescriptions during the day may be due to “decision fatigue,” or the idea that as the day goes on, a doctor’s self-control diminishes because they are using a lot of mental effort into treating patients. There have been a couple of other studies done replicating that finding, according to Doctor. “This finding is new because it extends it beyond

there as a freshman, and he appreciated its unique characteristics. “I had a group of friends who lived in Territorial and Frontier, and we ate at Centennial a lot,” Goncharov said. “When I first went there, I thought it looked like a dungeon. It was underground, and there were a lot of huge TVs everywhere.” Goncharov said he associated the dining hall with relaxation. “It had rushes, but it was never too busy,” he said. Senior Emily Streit lived in Pioneer Hall as a freshman but ate almost every meal at Centennial. “Everyone would go eat after class and talk about the day. It was like a recap,” she said. Streit regularly went to Centennial with friends late at night to eat waffles, and she said she liked eating there when the University’s football team played. “They had the best tater tots on every game day,” she said.

charged after the criminal investigation had concluded, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced in December, citing inadequate evidence. In her civil suit, Liu Jingyao accused Richard Liu of assault and battery, false imprisonment and sexual assault. The filing also includes three liability charges against JD.com. The victim’s attorney re-

u from Page 1

However, homelessness is not always something specifically included in those reports, and reports over multiple days often include the same individuals. “Just like any other public area, you’ll see people who are displaced or homeless,” said Chris Fonseca, a member of the UMPD community engagement team. “This isn’t specific to just the Twin Cities. It’s part of a national trend.” Vic Thorstenson, president of the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association and long-time resident, said homelessness has been prevalent in the area for decades, though the population ebbs and flows. “We get the age-old complaints of business owners in Dinkytown that they don’t want panhandlers. That complaint has probably been there since the first store opened in Dinkytown,” he said. For Irv Hershkovitz, owner of Dinkytown Wine and Spirits, homeless individuals near his storefront have always been something to address. Many homeless individuals, who will often congregate on the sidewalk near TCF Bank, are “fine and regular fixtures” of the community, he said. Sometimes, they ask to borrow his broom and dustpan to keep the surrounding area clean. But others aren’t quite as amicable, Hershkovitz

said. He’s seen people drink on the sidewalk, and there have been issues of theft in the past. Though he said he wishes people wouldn’t panhandle and reside on sidewalks with their belongings near his store, Hershkovitz said he understands it’s their right. “I feel for them, I really do, but they can make the sidewalks kind of dirty … especially if they have pets,” Hershkovitz said. Some businesses have taken concrete steps to stop panhandling. At the Dinkytown Target, a sign displayed in the front window since earlier this summer reads: “If third-party solicitors are present, it is without permission and they are trespassing.” Trent Mathison, a department manager who has worked at the location for three years, said that the sign was in direct response to an uptick in homelessness in the area. “We’ve had problems with [homeless individuals] coming into the store and asking for donations, so it’s more just like a warning for them,” Mathison said. According to Zann, businesses in the area treat them fairly as long as they keep walkways clear of belongings. “Some kids who work at the restaurants and stuff around here will give us pizzas or sandwiches or things like that,” he said. “It depends on who the employees are. The students in particular treat us well.”

ILLUSTRATED BY SARAH MAI, DAILY

antibiotics to show that the same problem appears to happen for opioids,” Doctor said. Physicians may need a lot more support and time with patients than they are currently able to provide, according to Barnett. “Physicians are people too, they can get tired and take shortcuts to get through their day,” Barnett said. Barnett added that patients should not assume that their physicians’ prescribing decision is a 100

percent clear recommendation. “There is always uncertainty, and it’s okay to ask if you really need that opioid,” he said. In the future, Barnett said he wants to see research better defining what might be “fatigue-sensitive” medical decisions. “Understanding these could help us better structure physician schedules and design systems that can make these processes as easy as possible,” Barnett said.

A sense of community On a Saturday, a group of six, with more filtering in and out of the area, sat on the short retaining wall

Veglia u from Page 1

after Veglia’s conduct was made public through a City Pages article in 2018, Lopresti said. Veglia’s class assignment and the lack of communication to students just made the sense of mistrust increase, he said. “To have us be randomly blindsided by stuff like this seriously undermines our ability to trust [the department] and have faith that

outside of the parking lot for Dinkytown’s TCF Bank. Among them are criminal histories, mental health issues, traumatic injuries and substance abuse. There is Peter, who wished to only be referred to by his first name for privacy reasons, who works at a restaurant. He said he stays in Dinkytown because the restaurant is close, but apartments nearby are just too expensive for him. One man panhandling outside of the Dinkytown Target said he’s homeless because his girlfriend, with whom he lived, is currently at an addiction treatment clinic. He declined to give his name because he didn’t want his daughter to find out. There is Zara Case, who was previously homeless and stayed in the area. Though she and her boyfriend have an apartment in the area, they still like to hang out in Dinkytown because “it’s diverse and there’s a sense of community.” Multiple homeless individuals reiterated that feeling. On the cool concrete, where some people walk and others reside, people who have experienced crime, addiction and mental health issues also experience music, laughter and joy. Zann said that this community is constantly shifting – and, at this point in time, growing. “In a moment,” Zann said, “you could lose it all, too.” quests in excess of $50,000 in damages in the complaint. During the Wednesday hearing, attorneys discussed how to serve notice of the civil charges to Richard Liu while he resides in China. Rose Liu said it is important to recognize the unique struggles that Chinese women encounter both at home and abroad. “We want to highlight that there are a lot of sexual harassment issues that Chinese women face,” Rose Liu said. “Whether they’re in China or in the U.S.” things are actually going to change,” Wallin said. Going forward, Bernlohr said the department will meet with students and the directors of graduate studies so students can plan effectively for their degree program, make arrangements and “be ready” for the NMR course. “We’re trying to do the best we can so the students can feel comfortable in their classes and advance their degree programs … that’s one of our major goals,” Bernlohr said.

Sports

MNDAILY.COM

MN DAILY

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

VOLLEYBALL

Transfer carving out own role for Gophers Kylie Miller won Big Ten Setter of the Week for her strong performance. BY NOLAN O’HARA nohara@mndaily.com

Coming off their Sweet Sixteen loss last season, the Gophers volleyball team knew they would return every starter from their 2018 roster — every starter except Big Ten Player of the Year, Samantha Seliger-Swenson. The loss left the program tasked with finding a replacement for the first team AllAmerican setter, and it wasn’t long before they did. In January 2019, Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon announced the addition of two transfer students: outside hitter Airi Miyabe and setter Kylie Miller. Miller, a graduate of Rancho Cucamonga High School in Southern California, initially stayed close to home to play for UCLA, where she was an effective player for the Bruins. In her three seasons there, she recorded 34 aces, 211 digs and over 1,200 assists. After the Bruins’ 2018 season, Miller decided it was time for something new and traded the beaches of California for opportunity at Minnesota. “It’s definitely a big

change for me because I’m a home girl,” she said. “I was blessed to have the opportunity to play for these coaches, and these girls are so awesome. [With] the fans, and the atmosphere, I just thought going out my senior year playing here would be really fun.” Miller will only have one season to play for the maroon and gold, but she spent her first semester at the University last spring. In that time, she had the opportunity to build relationships with teammates, travel with the team to Japan, adjust to a new campus and experience the harsh Minnesota winter. The Californian arrived just in time for a polar vortex that dropped temperatures in the Twin Cities lower than 50 degrees below zero adjusted for wind chill. “That was kind of a shock, but I made it through,” Miller said. Now, Miller has her first four games as a Gopher in the books. The Gophers are 2-2 over that stretch and have already played two top-ten opponents. After her performances against Texas and Florida, Miller was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week. In those two matches, Miller recorded 79 assists, 14 digs and three aces. This marks the first time Miller has won a weekly

Setter Kylie Miller celebrates a scored point with her team at the Maturi Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 7.

conference award in her collegiate career. “I think she’s played well,” McCutcheon said. “It’s nice to get that recognition, but we got a long way to go. It was good for her to get a little love this early in the season

and certainly well deserved.” Miller likely appreciates the recognition of her excellent performances the last two matches, but she has more ambitious goals for her senior season than winning weekly conference awards.

“Our big team goal is to win the national championship. That would be pretty cool to go out senior year with a national championship,” she said. “I think this team can do it with the coaches and the players

JACK RODGERS, DAILY

that we have.” The Gophers’ path toward their goal will continue this weekend at the Big Ten/ Pac-12 Challenge. They’ll take on two more top ten opponents: No. 10 Oregon and No. 1 Stanford.

CROSS COUNTRY

Sather brings leadership to U The redshirt senior earned Academic All-Big Ten honors the last two seasons. BY BRENDAN O’BRIEN brendanobrien@mndaily.com

It’s 7 a.m. on a Thursday morning, and runners on the women’s cross country team are preparing for an early morning workout. Despite most of the runners being tired or groggy, redshirt senior and co-captain Kelsey Sather brings a different energy. “She’s always there smiling, [saying] ‘Good morning! How are you?’” redshirt sophomore Tate Sweeney said. “She always makes it fun.” According to women’s cross country Head Coach Sarah Hopkins, Sather came to Minnesota to compete in track and field. In fact, Sather never ran cross country before coming to college. Early on, Hopkins said she had Sather slowly transition to running longer distances. Now, in her fifth and final season on the squad, Sather has been voted by her teammates to be a cocaptain two seasons in a row and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors twice

in two seasons of competing in cross country. Sather has seen the correlation between how she trains during cross country season and the results she achieves in track the following spring. She said running a race for about 24 minutes, like she does in cross country, has helped her build her mental toughness and prepare for the shorter distance races she competes in for track. Becoming mentally tough is not the only benefit Sather has gained from running cross country. She loves the community of friends she has made over the years on both the cross country teams and other athletic teams at Minnesota. What her coaches and peers are impressed by is how Sather is able to balance many other activities along with running. “She is good at so many things,” Hopkins said. “But I’m always amazed every time I talk to her. I feel like there is some new facet of her personality or her skill set.” While at Minnesota, Sather is double majoring in chemical engineering and chemistry and minoring in Spanish. In the past two summers, she has had

internships for Smiths Medical and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Sather’s interests do not stop there. She also plays the violin for one of the campus orchestras, participates in a campus ministry group and volunteers with any time she has remaining in her schedule. “She’s one of these people that has all these different interests and is somehow able to just meld them all together and make it work where most people would get stressed out and fold because they are doing too much stuff,” Hopkins said. But Sweeney thinks one of the best qualities Sather possesses is being a great leader that other teammates gravitate toward. “She’s done a really good job of making people feel more comfortable with pushing themselves in races and putting themselves out there,” Sweeney said. After graduation, Sather plans to work in the pharmaceutical medicine field. But for now, her goal is to be more competitive for the remainder of the cross country season and be ready to run in the spring.

KAMAAN RICHARDS, DAILY

Kelsey Sather sprints to cross the finish line at the Les Bolstad Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 6.

MNDAILY.COM

MN DAILY

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

STREET ART

Liv Novotny paints the town

MRUNAL ZAMBRE, DAILY

University graduate Liv Novotny paints a mural on the side of their garage in Minneapolis on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Novotny has made a career out of their street art. BY NORAH KLEVEN nkleven@mndaily.com

What started as late night and sometimes illegal street art has unfolded into an entire career for University of Minnesota graduate Liv Novotny. Since graduating last fall, Novotny has spent their time working freelance and contracted painting gigs with GoodSpace Murals around the Twin Cities. “There was never a time that they were not interested in art,” recalled Novotny’s mother, Amy Novotny. As a mother, Amy Novotny said she has watched Liv grow from p a i n t i n g a r t w o rk f o r

themself to creating art for a greater purpose. “Now so much of what they do supports the community and causes they believe in,” said Novotny’s mother. “I’ve been painting my whole life. I’ve always loved art,” Novotny said. Novotny has created between 20 and 30 murals across the Twin Cities in public and private spaces since moving to the area five years ago. At first, Novotny did much of their work for free, in an attempt to build a name for themself. Today, Novotny is able to work fulltime as a muralist because of this work. One of Novotny’s favorite murals was a 4,000-square-foot piece they did in Massachusetts. Located on the side of a n a p a r t m e n t p a rk i n g

garage, the mural depicted portraits of actual people from the community, superimposed with butterflies and community activities like checkers and pops of color. “That was the most fun and meaningful mural I feel like I’ve ever done,” said Novotny. “I feel like we really connected with the people out there.” Among their favorite works in the Twin Cities is a storm drain mural that was commissioned for St. Paul’s WaterFest. The art piece depicted scenes of activity at the nearby Lake Phalen, such as dragon boat races, fishing and biking. Novotny’s favorite scenes to depict are the ones that seem otherworldly. Scenes that are whimsical, dystopian and abstract are their preferred style. It was in a University printmaking studio that

Novotny made one of their most loyal friends, Alec Lossiah. The pair spent two semesters and many late nights printmaking before graduating from the University. “If I had to describe Liv in three words, it would be ambitious, energetic and friendly,” Lossiah said. “As an artist, I see Liv is eager to try new things.” Novotny maintains that public art is important not only for the color it brings to the community, but for more profound reasons. “It gives power to people that may not normally have it,” they said. “They’re not the ones that own buildings or businesses. They don’t work in politics and create the city. So it kind of gives [the community] ownership over public space.” Before Novotny was

commissioned by cities and organizations to create art, their brother Nate recalled them painting. Nate said his favorite work of Novotny’s is the portrait of their past family dog, Dixie. As children, Nate said that he and Novotny would enter their artwork in the Washington County Fair and recalled Liv receiving multiple blue ribbons for their work. As a teen, they even received a purple ribbon, which qualified them for the Minnesota State Fair. “I think that everyone deserves to just look at a beautiful city and be surrounded by art and things that are inspiring [and] colorful,” Novotny said. “Bringing that into spaces can really just change people’s mindsets, outlooks on life and how they’re going about it.”

“I think that everyone deserves to just look at a beautiful city and be surrounded by art and things that are inspiring [and] colorful.” LIV NOVOTNY local street artist and University graduate

STREET ART

Sounds of the cities: tracing local music history to the 1950s The Twin Cities music scene was, and continues to be, a major part of local culture. BY KSENIA GORINSHTEYN kgorinshteyn@mndaily.com

It’s 1979 and Prince’s “I Wanna Be Your Lover” is playing on the radio and through your brand new Sony Walkman. The Minneapolis-native and “High Priest of Pop” brought the nation’s focus to the city once more after hits like Bob Dylan’s 1964 song, “The Times They Are a-Changin.” For a city that was, and still is, a fraction of the size of New York City or Los Angeles, Minneapolis has contributed widely to national music movements. “We didn’t think about it as being important back then and whether it was going to have a lasting impact,” said Marty Keller, a former music editor at City Pages and author of the book “Hijinx and Hearsay.” Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, the West Bank n e i g h b o rh o o d w a s t h e place for folk and blues. Blues musician Tony Glover and singer-songwriter Bob Dylan were among some of the folk artists that put West Bank on the map. “[The neighborhood]

COURTESY OF PAUL LUNDGREN

was a major force in the overall shape of the music that was being made here,” Keller said. You could walk into most bars on West Bank, like Palmer’s, which is still around today, and hear folk tunes and rhythm and blues. This eventually led to the opening of Electric Fetus in 1968 before moving to its current location in 1972. Then, punk came

busting down the doors to the city. “Before June first of 1977, there really wasn’t any place for an original alternative rock band to play,” said Mark Engebretson, director of the documentary “Jay’s Longhorn.” The documentary’s name comes from Jay’s Longhorn Bar, an iconic punk and alternative venue that was located in

downtown Minneapolis. It hosted bands like Hüsker Dü and The Replacements, with an emphasis on the local punk scene of the late ‘70s. “It was just this place where people go down every night, and it didn’t matter what the genre was,” Engebretson said. “They all supported it.” Eventually, punk gave way to disco, pop and R&B, which brings us back

to Prince. “I wrote my first song in junior high,” said musician and producer Monte Moir, a longtime member of Prince’s band. “I don’t know if I felt like I found my calling, but it was just som et h ing t h at I realized I was very passionate about.” Moir grew up in South Minneapolis in the 1960s, looking through the songbooks his parents had in

the basement. In 1981, the year First Ave was renamed to what we know it as today, he became the keyboardist for his band The Time, which Prince helped assemble. “He helped us get our start,” Moir said. “After that I went off and became a songwriter and producer for a lot of other artists at major labels.” He recalled working with Janet Jackson and performing alongside Rihanna for the Grammy’s 50th Anniversary show as some of his most exciting moments. “You just realize, like ‘Wow, this is pretty special to be working on that,’” Moir said. The Twin Cities local music scene has not always been as diverse as it is today. “The Longhorn scene a n d p ro b a b l y t h e e a r ly days of the [7th St] Entry were very white,” Engebretson said. “It wasn’t like we weren’t allowing people in, there just weren’t that many bands [like that in Minnesota].” The jazz, funk and R&B scenes brought musicians like Jellybean Johnson, former drummer for The Time, and Cynthia Johnson of Lipps Inc. to the musical landscape of the Twin Cities. Today, the cities are home to genres of all backgrounds and identities, shaping that landscape for generations to come.

6 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

COLUIMN

MN DAILY

Editorials & Opinions

The tension after the storm

Hurricanes cause movement, and movement causes friction.

MNDAILY.COM

Uma Venkata

he Catcolumnist egory 5 Hurricane Dorian decimated the Bahamas in its hardest-hitting storm to date. As of Sept. 9, the Bahamian death toll had risen to 50. Thousands are left homeless and without any security with respect to immediate safety and future income. The storm made an appearance up the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, battering islands in

North Carolina. Four people have died during storm preparation in the southeastern part of the country. Although there is damage in the U.S. from Dorian, it’s incomparable to the aftermath in the Bahamas. As of Tuesday, losses due to Dorian in the Bahamas adds to approximately $7 billion, subject to rising, according to New York Times reporting. The Bahamas’ GDP is just over $12 billion. This catastrophe cannot be understated. What will be everyone else’s response when people move out of the disasterprone coasts? As time and climate change go on, the number of people who lose their livelihoods or are killed or displaced during the annual hurricane season will increase in magnitude but decrease in perceived newsworthiness. More people will be affected, and those unaffected will care less. It’s already what we do. I had discussed in an earlier column that coastal residents in places like Florida will have to bite the bullet and move. That will most likely start happening too late, but eventually residents will have no choice. Then the response begins. When it happens, there will be a large flock of people — some from the U.S., and ideally some foreign — to the inland U.S. The question is about how the U.S. will handle it. Climate change is officially a direct security threat to the United States, and, one day, the country will have to address it. If people move inland from Martha’s

Vineyard or Nantucket, where Dorian is liable to affect, they will be able to find alternatives without a problem. For further context, have fun on Nantucket Zillow. But if less-affluent and vulnerable people from Jacksonville, Florida or New Orleans should move inward, there may be pushback. They will not be able to afford and establish their own inland enclaves. If I’ve learned anything at college, it’s that there can be culture clashes between those who are from cities and those who are not. We also need to mix in the possibility of hosting coast dwellers from the Caribbean, like the Bahamians devastated by Dorian. President Trump has already made his sentiments clear: he believes in a firm “no” to welcoming Bahamians to the U.S., using some infallible “Bad Hombres” logic: “I don’t want to allow people that weren’t supposed to be in the Bahamas to come into the United States, including some very bad people and some very bad gang members and some very, very bad drug dealers.” Not coherent, but at least no guesswork required. Both poor Americans and poor foreign nationals moving to inland U.S. will likely experience friction upon integration. Landlocked U.S. is already significantly more racially homogeneous than the southern and southeastern coasts. Racism is especially unforgiving to those without

the choice to escape by moving. Maybe climate migrations will effect new cultural landscapes, like the Gold Rush and San Francisco’s Chinatown. The transition could be slow, and it could hurt. Welcoming coastal people to safer inland areas should happen without question. People don’t deserve to lose everything just based on where they live. If they refuse to evacuate, that’s a different matter. We need to keep in the backs of our mind a preemptive levee possible discrimination against future communities seeking refuge from climate change.

Uma Venkata welcomes comments at uvenkata@mndaily.com.

EDITORIAL BOARD

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Rethinking student Theres more than one health insurance policies way to look at housing I encourage policy makers at the University to develop a more equitable approach to healthcare for our students.

fashion, particularly students working full or part-time, students with family obligations and students with disabilities. This policy is outdated and should be revised to meet the needs of the current student population and allow online credits to count for eligibility for students in on-campus programs. I encourage policy makers at the University to develop a more equitable approach to healthcare for our students.

Keep the everyday student in mind with new apartment developments popping up across campus.

Kristin Anderson, Ph.D., MPH, is a professor emerita of the University of Minnesota.

ealth insurance is required of all University of Minnesota students in degree programs. To be eligible for enrollment in the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan, students must meet specified requirements, e.g. they are admitted to an on-campus degree program and are registered for six or more credits per semester; online course credits do not count towards eligibility. By excluding online course credits for students in on-campus programs, the current policy limits the flexibility of students to complete their degrees in a timely

This letter to the editor has been lightly edited for style and clarity.

CARTOON BY ROBERT MCGRADY

hen colleges and universities assess the different ways to ensure and measure student success, they often look at graduation rates, classroom ratios and the time it takes to complete a degree. But outside elements, such as access to affordable and accessible housing, play a crucial role in a student’s educational outcome as well as maintaining a campus’ history and atmosphere. Here at the University of Minnesota we have seen an increasing amount of new and luxurious apartment complexes that are marketed to students as an alternative option to living in the dorms. There is greater sense of independence due to the limited amount of supervision, compared to the dorms, that comes with living at The Bridges or Floco. You also have a wide array of amenities that include rooftop hot tubs, exclusive study spaces and private gyms only accessible by tenants. But is it worth forking over hundreds of dollars every month to occupy a such small space with five other people? It also brings into question the demographic these developers target. Large and colorful banners line 4th Street and our Instagram algorithms bombard us

SHARE YOUR VIEWS The Minnesota Daily welcomes letters and guest columns from readers. All letters must include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification. The Daily reserves the right to edit all letters for style, space, libel and grammar. Letters to the editor should be no more than 500 words in length. Guest columns should be approximately 350 words. The Daily reserves the right to print any submission as a letter or guest column. Submission does not guarantee publication.

with sponsored photoset advertisements that show each shiny new countertop, spacious bedroom and premiere Minneapolis skyline views. It’s hard to resist temptation when you are presented with an overwhelming amount of luxury, but if you are working within a limited budget, as most college students are, living in excess during your college experience is merely a pipedream. We also need to remember the historical value of our neighborhoods and commercial areas. Marcy Holmes is one of Minneapolis’ first neighborhoods. Dinkytown is home to classic Minneapolis staples like Annie’s Parlour, the Loring Pasta Bar and Varsity Theater — a movie auditorium turned concert hall built in 1919. University students have been loyal patrons and customers to these campus staples for decades, and it seems almost sacrilegious to bulldoze our way through for the sake of luxury price-tagged high rises. When it comes to new apartment developments on campus, we need to keep the everyday student in mind. We all should strive to encourage student success and find ways to alleviate burdening financial factors, whether that be through capping rising tuition costs or addressing unaffordable campus housing. We don’t have to completely dismiss the idea of building brand new, but we should take a step back and think about the effect it will have on our campus. We need to prioritize our students and invest in our local businesses in order to strengthen the community we call home.

EDITORIALS & OPINIONS DEPARTMENT Editorials represent the voice of the Minnesota Daily as an institution and are prepared by the editorial board.

THE EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS DEPARTMENT IS INDEPENDENT OF THE NEWSROOM

letters@mndaily.com Fax: (612) 435-5865 Phone: (612) 435-1578 Letters and columns to the editor 2221 University Ave. SE Suite 450

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

MN DAILY

HOROSCOPES

Today’s Birthday (9/12): Good fortune smiles on your family this year. Persistence with passion projects or romantic visions delivers. Love bursts into beautiful flower this winter, before friends interrupt with new directions. Household changes next summer inspire an unforgettably sweet gathering. Let your heart lead.

MNDAILY.COM

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Written by Nancy Black

Aries (3/21 - 4/19): Today is a 6 — Your concentration could get interrupted. Don’t be hasty or take risks. Review and consider privately. Some worries are well founded. Listen to intuition.

Libra (9/23 - 10/22): Today is a 7 — A shift with your work, health or fitness requires adaptation. Avoid risky business. Make technical improvements and work with a good coach.

Taurus (4/20 - 5/20): Today is a 7 — Keep your tone polite and respectful. Listen more than you speak. Check public opinion, and consider yours carefully before attempting expression.

Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21): Today is a 7 — Keep an open mind. Romantic changes have your attention. Relax, and review the facts. Avoid jumping to expensive conclusions. Wait for developments.

Gemini (5/21 - 6/21): Today is a 7 — A professional controversy swirls. Avoid provoking jealousies or sensitivities. Take charge, and provide a solution. Consider options.

Sagittarius (11/22 - 12/21): Today is a 9 — Handle domestic chores and projects while considering upcoming changes. Fix something before it breaks. Serve comfort food.

Cancer (6/22 - 7/22): Today is an 8 — Pack lightly and carefully. Traffic delays could slow the action. Plan ahead for different scenarios. Prepare for educational changes.

Capricorn (12/22 - 1/19): Today is a 7 — There are plenty of changes affecting your interests in the news. Prepare your messaging, and keep your tone respectful.

Leo (7/23 - 8/22): Today is a 7 — Things could get expensive. Monitor closely to avoid fees. Cut unused subscriptions or services. Communications helps with a shortfall.

Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18): Today is an 8 — Don’t treat the whole gang; save a cushion for the unexpected. Stick to your schedule, and budget to keep deadlines. Stay in communication.

Virgo (8/23 - 9/22): Today is a 7 — Keep your patience with someone. Support each other through a transition. Share the load to begin a new phase. You can do this.

Pisces (2/19 - 3/20): Today is a 7 — Take charge of your destiny. When one road is blocked, choose another. Invest in something solid. Your ideas are attracting attention.

DR. DATE Dr. Date,

I’m starting to get worried about my boyfriend. We met through friends after they mentioned we’d make an attractive couple and have now been dating for about nine months. I can see why they would say that — we’re both really into fashion. Thrifted, brand new, designer and school merch, we both pride ourselves on looking good. When he first walked into our shared class in sweatpants, I thought it was a fashion statement. The whole athleisure thing is still on trend, and most guys look great in gray sweatpants (though his weren’t the fashionable type). I didn’t want to ask him about it, as he’s definitely seen me on off-days. But after he showed up with unbrushed hair in pajamas for the fourth day in a row, I got a little concerned. Since then, no matter what the event, he goes in whatever he was sleeping in that day (even if it hasn’t been washed). I’ve tried to go to parties, out on dates or just to hang out with friends, and he doesn’t put any effort in at all. I’ve asked him what changed, and he said he’s just become bored with everything and doesn’t really care. Considering that when we first started dating he was dragging me to Urban Jungle the minute it opened, I don’t know what happened. He’s become apathetic about his appearance and hygiene, and I’m starting to get embarrassed going out with him in public (when he can drag himself out of bed). I’m no snob, but I do draw the line at dinner with the parents in a stained hoodie. What can I do?

—Not a Hypebeast

Dear Not a Hypebeast,

Okay, there is definitely a deeper issue here. While we all eventually get comfortable in relationships and stop trying to impress the other, the fact that he’s lost all his passion for a subject he used to love seems off. Has he had a bad haircut lately or something? He might just be uncomfortable with himself, not the clothes. His apathy towards everything, as you say, sounds like it might run deeper rather than a fashion issue. Far be it from me to armchair diagnose (I just give dating advice, people!), but you might want to ask him if there’s anything else going on. It may only be the start of the semester, but we all need to check in on each other’s mental health. If you can, try and

get him to see someone, even if it’s just to reaffirm he’s okay. But hey, sweatpants are COMFY. Hopefully he’s only developed a preference for the finer things in life, right?

—Dr. Date

Dr. Date,

I was on a date last night that seemed to have been sent from the heavens. After far too many horror stories, I thought I might have actually found someone I could go out with more than once. For our first date, I took her out to a nice dinner in St. Paul, and we went dancing afterwards. What can I say, I’m a romantic. We were having a wonderful time and really seemed to be hitting it off, so I asked her to go out again sometime next week as I dropped her off. She was so excited she jumped and hugged me — and whispered “I love you so much,” in my ear. This girl is great and all, but wow, clingy much? I kind of coughed awkwardly and said “Cool, I’ll see you then,” before driving off a little too fast. We’ve been texting since then and she seems normal, but I’m worried I’m going to show up and she’ll propose to me! I still really like this girl. How do I get her to back off without scaring her away?

—Concerned Boyfriend

Dear Concerned Boyfriend,

Come on, you don’t want to get married in college? Think of the financial aid! If she only said it once and acted normally any other time, she might have accidentally slipped up. Haven’t you ever called your teacher «mom» or ended a phone call with “I love you” by accident? Hopefully that’s all there is to it and she was too embarrassed to mention it again. But there is the chance that she was serious — maybe there is such a thing as being too romantic. On the next date, bring it up and laugh about it like it was a joke, then gauge her reaction. If she seems devastated you don’t love her in return, it’s time to call it quits. Who knows, maybe you’ll change your name to I Do!

—Dr. Date

Want advice from the love doctor? Email Dr. Date at drdate@mndaily.com

SUDOKU CROSSWORD

Last Issue’s Puzzle Solved Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

9/12/19

For strategies on how to solve sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk.

Last issue’s solution

Thursday, September 12, 2019