FOOD COURT PLANNED FOR DINKYTOWN PG 2 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018
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GABEL: UMN PRESIDENTIAL FINALIST Joan Gabel, a provost at the University of South Carolina, was named on Wednesday.
BY HELEN SABROWSKY & AUSTEN MACALUS hsabrowsky@mndaily.com, amacalus@mndaily.com
COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Joan Gabel, presidential finalist.
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents selected a lone finalist in the search for the next president: Joan Gabel, who could become the first female president of the University. Gabel, who is currently the provost at the University of South Carolina, was selected by all but one regent in a back-and-forth special meeting Wednesday afternoon. Regent Darrin Rosha was the only dissenter. Several regents said Gabel was the strongest of the three front-runners recommended to the board by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. “I’m looking for a visionary leader. Someone who can inspire people. Who can bring a vision for this University to take us to the next level,” said Regent Chair David
McMillan at a press conference after the meeting. “I believe that the candidate we’re bringing to Minnesota next week has all those aspirations.” Gabel will visit system campuses for public forums next week. The full board will interview her at its December meeting next Thursday and Friday, with a special meeting the following week to vote on her confirmation. McMillan said the next president could be named before Christmas. Regent Abdul Omari, chair of the presidential search committee, said Gabel stood out for her ability to connect with people. “First and foremost, we’re looking for a certain energy, and she had a high level of energy,” he said. “It was an easy decision to name her a finalist.” All the three of the candidates had “extensive experience” in higher education, said Regent Steve Sviggum at the meeting. However, Gabel was the only front-runner willing to be publicly named with other finalists. The other two front-runners were unwilling to be publicly named unless they were selected as the sole finalist.
A&E
Regents did not identify front-runners, referring to them as “Candidate A,” “Candidate B” and “Candidate C” throughout the meeting. But, multiple regents referred to “Candidate A” as a woman throughout the meeting. “Well, she is a she,” Hsu said in response to other regents asking him to de-identify “Candidate A’s” gender, who was later identified as Gabel. “While I would have loved to have seen a handful of people willing to go public, the search committee delivered to us an extremely talented and broadly supported group of people. Unfortunately only … one of them would take that risk,” McMillan said. Under Minnesota public data laws, candidates’ identities are not public until they are named finalists by the board. McMillan said there was a “delicate balance” between adhering to public data and open meeting laws while protecting confidentiality of candidates. Several regents said the state’s public u See GABEL Page 7
CAMPUS
From Olympic athletes to industry titans, a little-known community is crushing walls.
Anti-Semitic vandalism was found in 17th Vandalism referencing white supremacy and Nazism was reported in 17th Avenue dorm. BY HELEN SABROWSKY hsabrowsky@mndaily.com
JACK RODGERS, DAILY
Ethan Anderson demonstrates a winter climb of the “B2 Bomber” boulder problem on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Interstate State Park. Interstate is where Anderson first learned to outdoor climb three years ago.
‘SCENDING ‘SOTA BY SAMIR FERDOWSI sferdowsi@mndaily.com
MINNESOTA IS FLAT.
Peaks are mounds and valleys are riverbeds. Yet, in a place where the skyscrapers in downtown reach as high as one can get, one sport has gripped the population with an unconditional allure: rock climbing. Brought here in the late 1980s by a vagabond crew of Minnesotans, rock climbing has stuck. Originally, one could only access limited outdoor ascents in Taylors Falls and Red Wing. Indoor climbers only had a single rope atop a brick wall inside a Roseville outdoors retailer. Now, with a young generation
crushing in a new style, the sport’s landscape is putting on a new face. “Most people have never heard of Minnesota,” said Olympic-bound climber and University of Minnesota graduate Kyra Condie. “Some people say they’ve heard of it but don’t know where it is. ... But, I always make sure to say I’m from here.” Minnesota has erupted into an unrecognized, yet world-class, hub for those in the pursuit of going up.
First pitch: Minnesota’s Base Minnesotans have infiltrated the climbing universe — whether the world knows it or not. With 14 major gyms and counting, nearly 2,000 outdoor routes and Olympic-bound
talent knotted together, the state is on track to reckon with the western U.S. “To me, Minnesota climbing culture is like a giant, unknown underground community,” said world champion and Minnesota-based climber Alex Johnson, who coaches in the Twin Cities. “It’s like we’re here, you don’t need to know about it — but we’re going to keep crushing.” Johnson began her climbing journey in St. Paul, where she made a 20-minute drive to climb at least four times a week in 1997. Now, she’s a professional athlete for The North Face and was the first American to ever win a Bouldering World Cup title on U.S. soil. ‘Scending everywhere from California u See CLIMBING Page 4
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Kalscheur’s hot hand making an impact in freshman season The guard has impressed his coaches and teammates with his shooting skills and drive. BY NICK JUNGHEIM njungheim@mndaily.com
Before the season, many outside the program expected Gabe Kalscheur to serve primarily as a role player for Minnesota. However, just a month into his freshman campaign, he’s proven himself as one of the team’s most valuable weapons. Kalscheur, a freshman from Edina, Minnesota, has started every game for the Gophers this season. Few foresaw Kalscheur getting an opportunity to start immediately, but his stellar play and attention to detail earned him a spot among the lineup. “It’s hard to trust freshmen,” said head coach Richard Pitino. “They do a lot of wacky things. They’re young, it takes time. That’s normal. But with [Kalscheur], he just doesn’t u See BASKETBALL Page 6
A University of Minnesota residence hall was vandalized with anti-Semitic messages last Wednesday. On Nov. 28, members of a Living Learning Community in the University of Minnesota’s 17th Avenue Residence Hall notified staff to the presence of racially biased vandalism in the building that targeted a “community-created poster,” according to an email sent to hall residents. The email described the vandalism as anti-Semitic and containing references to white supremacist and Nazi sentiments. The University does not have information on who was responsible for the vandalism, according to the email. The Charlotte’s Home for Black Women, the Chinese Language and Cultural House, Greek Unity House, Huntley House and u See VANDALISM Page 7
STUDENT LIFE
Students, experts disgruntled by proposed policy The policy would affect how sexual assault investigations are handled on campuses. BY AUDREY KENNEDY akennedy@mndaily.com
Students and experts are expressing concern over a proposed policy released last month from the U.S Department of Education that would change the way sexual assault and misconduct cases are handled at college campuses that receive federal funds. The plan, proposed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, would change current Title IX policies by limiting the types of sexual assault and misconduct cases schools would be required to investigate and narrowing the definition of sexual harassment. The plan also would give protection to students accused of sexual misconduct by allowing them to indirectly cross-examine their accusers through third parties in a disciplinary hearing. The proposal opened for a 60-day public comment period last week. The University of Minnesota is currently monitoring and reviewing the proposed changes, according to a statement from the University emailed to the Minnesota Daily.
Changing the definition
TONY SAUNDERS, DAILY
Freshman Gabe Kalscheur works to block the ball at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday, Nov. 30.
While a draft of the proposal was released in August, Meara Cline, chair of Minnesota Student Association’s sexual assault task force, said the recent release solidified the task force’s concerns about the effects it would have on the University. The proposal seeks to narrow the definition of sexual harassment by requiring the behavior to be “so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies its victims the equal access to education that Title IX is designed to protect,” according to the proposal. “At a minimum, it’s insulting to survivors u See POLICY Page 7
VOLUME 119 ISSUE 28
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Thursday, December 6, 2018 Vol. 119 No. 28
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ELLE MOULIN, DAILY
Students of the World Music Ensemble performs at the Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 5. About 50 people attended the Wednesday evening performance.
tackle 2040 City Dinkytown Panelists plan in University forum to get food court dining Panelists discussed the future of the City housing policy and the 2040 plan. BY TIFFANY BUI tbui@mndaily.com
The food court will open 10 restaurants in August and seat around 270 people. BY IMANI CRUZEN icruzen@mndaily.com
A food court opening in Dinkytown this summer will bring 10 new restaurants to the area. The location for University Food Court at 330 15th Ave. SE is currently undergoing demolitions, but restaurant owners who eventually lease the space can begin moving in around late January said Yama Zhong, who will manage the property after it opens in August. A definitive list of vendors won’t be revealed until May, but Zhong said it will include Korean fried chicken, bubble tea, hot pot, poke, cheese steak and ice cream. While not all 10 restaurants have been decided, Zhong said there isn’t a specific type of restaurant that they are looking for. “We just want to see, what’s the idea, what kind of food they are [proposing],” Zhong said. Zhong said developers want to consider restaurants that might be new to Minnesota or have new or trendy foods, like poke. Lanzhou Ramen 107, which does not have any locations in Minnesota, will be one of the restaurants. The food court will seat about 270 people. Dinkytown currently has several bubble tea locations, including Chatime and Kung Fu Tea, and Korean fried chicken restaurant Bonchon is expected to open in late December. But Zhong said she isn’t concerned about competition due to the layout of the food court.
“We just don’t want our competition inside of this food court,” Zhong said. “It’s a food court. Students come in and they eat, they have lots of choices.” Dinkytown Qdoba owner and former Dinkytown Business Alliance President Randal Gast said it will be a challenge for the food court to open businesses similar to those that already exist in Dinkytown. “The ramen noodle [restaurant]? Right down the street. Ice cream? Right down the street. Korean barbecue? Now we’ll have three of them,” Gast said. “I’m surprised that anybody would take that type of risk, but there are business people that take risks all the time and everybody can do what they want.” University of Minnesota student Dylan Tatham said competition might just come down to customer loyalty and preferences. “I personally think it would be kind of nice, but I also think that there’s already so many options in Dinkytown that I don’t know if it would be almost redundant,” Tatham said. “I guess it would kind of come down to if the food court itself became a better option than what’s already elsewhere in Dinkytown.” Tatham said she is interested in seeing the food court offer quick snack foods. “It’s kind of like getting ice cream with your friends or something like that,” Tatham said. “Because I think that’s one thing that Dinkytown is lacking, is stuff that you can just kind of do quickly and easily and not have to get a whole meal for.”
Students had a chance to question housing experts about one of the most controversial issues in Minneapolis’ overarching city plan at a Tuesday forum on campus. Housing policy was spotlighted at the event hosted by University of Minnesota undergraduates at Mondale Hall for a public policy class. Panelists included housing officials and advocates, who fielded queries about what the future of housing will look like in light of the approaching completion of the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Joe Forest, a sophomore who helped host the event, said while he wasn’t knowledgeable about the 2040 plan, he has a personal connection to the housing crisis. “All I knew was more personal experiences,” Forest said in an interview. “Having, you know, friends and colleagues who haven’t had housing and had to live with other friends, with family and even homeless shelters.” Anne Mavity, executive director of the nonprofit Minnesota Housing Partnership, said issues like low vacancy rates and mounting rent burdens, especially in relation to communities of color,
highlight the importance of updated housing policy. “What’s happening in our community right now is we’re producing a lot of housing, but there’s a basic market mismatch between what is being produced and who needs housing,” Mavity said. According to Mavity, the Minneapolis market needs 2,500 units of new housing built every year to keep pace with demand, but only 100 units are being created. The disparity creates a backlog of residents who need housing but can’t find or afford it. “That’s sort of the general reason, why we talk about this with such urgency in a crisis. Not only is this happening every year, it’s starting to accumulate into a real problem,” Mavity said. Andrea Brennan, director of City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development, said years of federal divestment in affordable housing helped spur these problems. “That is a really, really hard resource to make up on the state and local level,” Brennan said. Tara Beard, the Metropolitan Council’s housing policy analyst, said that while local governments can’t keep up with the lost capacity, there are still policy changes they can enact. Recent debates about local housing policy have arisen during the drafting of the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which the City will send to the Metropolitan
“I think that the process we’ve gone through to establish the goals and priorities and strategies...is so much improved from our plan that is currently in place.” ANDREA BRENNAN City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development director
Council for review by the end of December. Brennan said City staff have read thousands of comments since preparations for the plan began three years ago. The City Council considered over 100 amendments to the plan last week. “I think that the process we’ve gone through to establish the goals and priorities and strategies...is so much improved from our plan that is currently in place,” Brennan said. The panelists encouraged students to get involved with housing policy however they can. “We all can be engaged more than we are,” Mavity said. “Right now we are in a moment where housing is on the radar of policymakers at the state level, at the city level … and we haven’t had that opportunity.”
UMN student hit by car The student was hit near the intersection of Gortner Avenue and Buford Avenue. BY AUSTEN MACALUS amacalus@mndaily.com
A jaywalking University of Minnesota student was hit by a car on the St. Paul campus last night after leaving class. University student David Tambornino, 54, was
struck near the intersection of Gortner and Buford avenues near the Learning and Environment Science Building, according to University police. Tambornino said he was heading to his vehicle and talking to a classmate after class. UMPD responded to the scene around 5:30 p.m. and found Tambornino falling in and out of consciousness; he was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center with a head injury.
Multiple witnesses at the scene said Tambornino was walking outside the crosswalk. The driver, a professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, said he couldn’t see Tambornino in the night, according to the police report. T h e s u n s e t a ro u n d 4:30 p.m. last night. The driver told police that Tambornino was wearing dark clothes.
EDITORIAL BOARD Ray Weishan Editorials & Opinions Editor rweishan@mndaily.com Ariana Wilson Editorial Board Member awilson@mndaily.com Hailey Almstead Editorial Board Member halmstead@mndaily.com Kelly Busche Editor-in-Chief kbusche@mndaily.com BUSINESS Darya Karas Sales Manager dkaras@mndaily.com David Keane Controller dkeane@mndaily.com 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.
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Thursday, December 6, 2018
Federal rule may burden immigrants UMN forum sought to inform students and other parties on the rule’s effects. BY MICHELLE GRIFFITH mgriffith@mndaily.com
A recent forum at Mondale Hall addressed a proposed federal rule that could make it harder for many noncitizens, immigrants and some U.S. citizens to enter or reside in the United States. In October, the Department of Homeland Security proposed a rule that would broaden how the federal government determines who is considered a “public charge,” which is currently defined as a noncitizen primarily dependent on cash assistance. People determined to be a public charge may be deported or barred from entering the country. On Thursday, the University of Minnesota’s Immigration Response Team and James H. Binger Center for New Americans co-hosted a public forum to inform students, community members and faculty about the proposed change and the effects it could have on students and the greater community. “There are immigrants in tons of different immigration statuses and from families that have immigrant backgrounds at the University, so I think undoubtedly [the proposed rule] will have an effect on some students,” said Marissa Hill-Dongre, director of the University’s Immigration Response Team. The proposal has the potential to unfavorably affect nearly 50 percent of noncitizens, according to an analysis generated by the University’s Immigration and Human Rights Clinic. The proposed rule states that “DHS seeks to better ensure that aliens subject to the public charge inadmissibility ground are self-sufficient [and] do not depend on public resources to meet their needs, but rather rely on their own capabilities, as well as the resources of family members, sponsors, and private organizations.” Immigration officers currently use a test to determine if a person is a public charge based on their age, health, family status, finances and education and skills.
The proposed policy change would broaden the financial status portion of the test and look at if people have the potential or are using public benefits, such as Medicaid, food stamps and subsidized housing in public charge determinations. Right now, immigration officers do not look at whether a person is dependent on these government programs. The earliest the policy could be implemented is spring 2019. “I think this could really impact any family who at any point during their lives relied someway on public benefits,” Hill-Dongre said. Community impact The University’s Twin Cities campus had over 6,000 international students enrolled in fall 2017, according to an annual International Students and Scholars report. These students were enrolled under different visa statuses, and under the proposed rule, students could be affected if they or their family relies or has relied on public benefits. “More than 10 million noncitizens … reside in benefit-receiving families,” the IHRC report stated. “These individuals will be vulnerable to deportation under the proposed rule.” The proposal is currently accepting public comments and has over 123,000 comments at the time of publication. During the forum last week, attendees were encouraged and taught how to write meaningful public comments. “We got interested in this rule because it’s a proposal affecting the rights of noncitizens in ways that hasn’t garnered a whole lot of public attention,” said Steve Meili, a University law professor and director of the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic. Some lawyers and people in public health attended the forum to learn more about how the proposed policy would affect their clients. Attendee Lauren Mendez McConkey went to the session because some of the patients at the community health clinic where she works expressed concern about the proposal. “We wanted to be in a better position to be able to influence the policy in a way that would most advocate for our patients,” Mendez McConkey said.
JACK RODGERS, DAILY
Calvin McMahon, Savita Sidhu and Sean Labor of the Citizen’s Climate Lobby before their weekly meeting. Tuesday, Dec. 5.
UMN student, professor combine efforts on environmental advocacy The initiative utilizes grassroots advocacy to combat the effects of climate change. BY AUSTEN MACALUS amacalus@mndaily.com
Savita Sidhu and Scot Adams bonded over two things when they met in Washington D.C. last summer: environmental advocacy and the University of Minnesota. University undergraduate Sidhu and Adams, a math professor, are both members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonprofit with hundreds of chapters across the world. They happened to run into each other at a CCL conference last June. Now back on campus, Sidhu and Adams are teaming up to combat climate change through grassroots advocacy.
“It would mean that gasoline prices, electricity prices, maybe some food items would increase in price in proportion to the amount of carbon that entered into the atmosphere in the production.” GABRIEL CHAN professor of energy and environmental policy
The pair is pushing for the University to sign on to the Put A Price On It campaign, an initiative encouraging lawmakers to support carbon pricing. Advocates say the proposal will help decrease carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. Savita said she was inspired to bring advocacy efforts to campus after working as a CCL intern over the summer. “It was figuring out: Is this something we can do? And adding the political will behind it,” she said. “I’m a person who likes to see action.” She and Adams are splitting efforts to encourage students and faculty to get involved. Sidhu launched a CCL student group this fall and hopes to work with other student organizations on the issue. Adams is trying to garner support among faculty and staff; he presented the initiative in front of the University Senate’s Social Concerns Committee last week. Put A Price On It has assembled endorsements from hundreds of public figures, companies, advocacy organizations and schools. Although nearly 50 colleges publicly support the efforts, most are small private schools. Macalester College and the College of Saint Benedict are the only two schools in Minnesota to sign on. The campaign calls on state and federal lawmakers to adopt carbon pricing legislation, which would
make carbon more expensive and incentivize people to pollute less. “The general idea is that every person who makes a decision — where that decision increases carbon — would have to pay an additional amount in proportion to that amount of emission,” said Gabriel Chan, a professor of energy and environmental policy in the University’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. There are many ways to accomplish this goal, Chan said, such as a tax on carbon goods or a cap and trade system, which allows polluters to buy and sell permits required to emit carbon. However, Chan says there are difficulties in implementing proposals. California is the only state in the country with a cap-andtrade policy. A carbon tax bill in Washington state failed in a statewide referendum this year. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a cap-andtrade bill in 2009, but it failed to gain traction in the U.S. Senate. “The political feasibility of these kinds of initiatives is challenging,” Chan said. “Effectively, it would mean that gasoline prices, electricity prices, maybe some food items would increase in price in proportion to the amount of carbon that entered into the atmosphere in the production.” Several Minnesota DFL l a w m a k e r s i n t ro d u c e d legislation to price carbon in the state last session
without success. Chan said that many people still see carbon pricing as an effective way to address climate change. But, he said there are other measures that could help, such as more funding for research and incentives for renewable energy. The University is already working to decrease greenhouse gas emissions on its own. In 2008, University officials set a goal to reduce carbon emissions 50 percent by 2020 and to be carbon neutral by 2050. Adams said the University could also play a big role in pushing lawmakers and others to support carbon pricing. Although he’s not an expert on the issue, Adams said everyday people like himself can still play a role in addressing climate change. “We should encourage people to step up and get involved. Even if they are not the exact right person for the job,” he said. “I think maybe more people need to take a more active role in political issues.” Sidhu said she hopes more people on campus will get involved in the efforts. She said her partnership with Adams, built on a chance encounter, shows there are people everywhere who care about combating climate change. “I was so happy to know that wherever I am there will be people who are just as passionate, who are just as motivated … and have enough alacrity as I do to make something happen,” she said.
West Bank vies for City recognition to preserve cultural significance The approach would designate specific areas of the city as “Cultural Districts.” BY TIFFANY BUI tbui@mndaily.com
A West Bank organization is pushing for the City of Minneapolis to designate Cedar-Riverside as a culturally and ethnically distinct neighborhood under a new policy amendment. The policy, approved by a City Council committee last week, aims to drive economic growth in diverse neighborhoods by designating them as “Cultural Districts.” The West Bank Business Association hopes Cedar-Riverside will be considered and ultimately receive more City resources. “I’m excited to see the City recognizing and doing this work, I also really have hope for the West Bank because we are an entry point for so many new Americans,” said Jamie Schumacher, executive director of the West Bank Business Association. “For me, it makes a lot of sense to include the West Bank in this work.” Schumacher said she’s reached out to Council members to advocate for the West Bank, but hasn’t received a
response yet. She said she’ll be looking to Ward 2 City Council member Cam Gordon and Ward 6 City Council member Abdi Warsame for support. The Committee of the Whole approved the policy as part of an amendment to the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan on Nov. 28. The policy, spearheaded by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and a handful of council members, specifies Cultural Districts as communities with a significant population of people of color, indigenous people and immigrants. Schumacher said the neighborhood’s majority immigrant population and numerous small businesses fit the criteria of a Cultural District. The upkeep of the area’s historic theaters compound the high need for City support. “For us, our neighborhood is already underserved,” said Schumacher. Ward 8 Council member and Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins helped lead the policy creation. “We look at geographic areas throughout the city that have historic and cultural significance, and typically those are low-income, underinvested communities,” said Jenkins. Jenkins said the City is still in the process of
DAILY FILE PHOTO
Cedar-Riverside neighborhood as seen on Wednesday, Oct. 3.
drafting criteria for Cultural Districts. As head of the Committee of the Whole, Jenkins directed staff to create a work group aimed at drafting a plan by the end of March 2019. The policy aims to attract tourists to these districts
while preventing resident displacement. The City drew inspiration for the policy from existing culturally significant areas like American Indian Cultural Corridor on Franklin Avenue. Cultural corridors, while not yet formally recognized by the
City, are understood to have a unique place in their communities. Will Delaney, chair of the Franklin Area Business Association, said he’s seen success in getting investment to the area following a grassroots push to identify it
as a cultural corridor in 2010. “There’s some extra visibility that comes along with being part of the American Indian Cultural Corridor, because it can be a place that people know ‘Oh, there’s native-owned business along the stretch,’” Delaney said.
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MN DAILY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018
Minnesota native Kyra Condie looks to reach for a hold on the first problem of the finals at Boulderfest North, a climbing competition hosted by the Minneapolis Bouldering Project, on Saturday, Nov. 10.
FEATURE
'SCENDING 'SOTA Rock climbing’s rise in the land of 10,000 lakes BY SAMIR FERDOWSI SFERDOWSI @ MNDAILY.COM
CLIMBING from Page 1
to Thailand, the Minnesotan holds firm that the state has climbing at its core. “We’ve had badass climbers come out of Minnesota,” Johnson said. “But globally and nationally, it’s like an underground, probably because people think there’s no rock climbing.” While Johnson has made an international name for North Star State climbing, one climber has stayed local to spark these flames internally: the godfather of Minnesota climbing, Jeff Engel. Engel crafted countless routes — some of which are only accessible by raft, in a true Minnesotan fashion
— allowing widespread access to Minnesotan cliffs. What used to be the edge of nowhere now hosts fullfledged climbing festivals that have grown substantially in participation and popularity each year. “Everything in Minnesota is such an outdoor community, and climbing has just become a part of that,” said Angie Jacobsen, 2018 festival participant and featured climber in “Jeff’s World,” a feature film on Engel’s home turf. “Climbing is almost a natural progression.” While going back to college, Jacobsen entered the world of heights like most climbers from the state — first climbing indoors, then finding a crew before heading to outdoor crags after a
PHOTOS BY JACK RODGERS JRODGERS @ MNDAILY.COM
year of practicing indoors. “Once you become aware of it and are an outdoors person, which so many people in Minnesota are, it’s a natural draw,” Jacobsen said. However, the transitional trailblazers are quickly losing ground.
Pitch two: the crux Minnesota’s climbing community is faced with a friction-inducing dilemma, pitting old traditions against inevitable progress. The problem? An exponential increase of indoor gyms. Minnesota’s gym boom over recent years has put a new generation en route to indoor-only climbing — something the “OG’s” say they’re not inclined to
Michael Laraia eyes his next hold as part of a lead climb during practice with the University’s climb team on Tuesday, Nov. 13.
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Thursday, December 6, 2018
LEFT: Abigail York raises her fist and looks to the crowd after completing the final problem of Boulderfest North, a climbing competition hosted by the Minneapolis Bouldering Project, on Saturday, Nov. 10. York is a student at North High School in St. Paul, while climbing competitively and coaching at Midwest Climbing Academy in her spare time. BELOW: Professional climbers Alex Johnson and Kyra Condie examine a problem before competing in the finals of the Boulderfest North competition.
accept. The Olympics will see climbing as a featured event for the first time ever come Tokyo 2020, and the state has adopted this new era of indoor climbing with immediate speed. “I have seen both an influx in private equity dollars and eyes from people who have no care for the outdoors or climbing’s heritage — it’s culturally shifted,” said Nic Oklobzija, who authored the Minnesota Bouldering Guidebook. “This is probably the first year in my life where people are heavily identifying as ‘gym climbers.’” Starting as both a belayer and a hold maker, Oklobzija says he could count the number of gym climbers since 2004 solely on his hands. Now, he sees an erosion in the sport that is only curable by respecting the past and getting people back outside. “I would quit climbing if I had to be climbing inside all the time,” Oklobzija said. “I’ve always seen it as training.” All together, Minnesota has seen 14 major gyms stake a claim in less than 15 years — a major feat for a Midwestern state, many climbers say. The University is no exception to the trend, having seen the Recreation and Wellness Center open its doors to a professional-grade climbing facility in 2013. “We are really here to serve students, but that doesn’t mean we’re here to serve subpar climbing walls,” said University climbing instructor Bryan Karban, who also runs the University’s outdoor program, Center for Outdoor Adventure. Stating benefits from mental health to increased social interaction, Karban said the escape of heading to the Rec’s wall, in some ways, is unmatched. “It provides that spectrum of experience and excitement that you can have from day one to day 600,” Karban said. In the 2012-13 school year, the year before the RecWell was built, the University saw 359 climbing passes sold from September to May, and had an average of 25 people per day come to climb, Karban said. Last year, the gym sold more than 1,200 memberships and averaged 102
climbers per day— totaling more than 25,500 participants over the course of the fiscal year, he said. These numbers have been constantly increasing since the wall’s debut, according to RecWell data. Despite climbing at private gyms for the majority of her training, Condie, a Shoreview native, made appearances at the Rec. Now on the shortlist of Team USA Climbers for Tokyo 2020, Condie’s journey started in one St. Paul gym, Vertical Endeavors, a location responsible for lighting the gym-craze fuse. “When I was 11 years old, I was not only the youngest person climbing in the steep bouldering cave … but also one of the only girls,” Condie said. “Back then, to be really ‘in’ the MN culture, you had to really be dedicated to climbing. And when I say dedicated,
“YOU HAVE THE TRADITIONAL PEOPLE — WHO WE’LL PROBABLY TURN INTO — BUT THEN YOU HAVE US HOOLIGANS.” JACOB HAMMER
University climb team captain
I mean it. These were people who could be found driving three-and-a-half hours back and forth to find boulders up North every weekend, scoping Google Earth in search of new potential on weeknights.” Towering on the outskirts of downtown St. Paul, Vertical Endeavors gym opened in 1992 and helped lay the foundation for the state’s climbing empire. In the process, it pumped out international climbing legends like Alex Johnson, Kyra Condie and Noah Ridge. “After seeing what was going on in the industry — and not being able to climb all winter — more and more people were picking up the sport, and I realized we were here in Minnesota ... with no gym at all,” said Nate
Postma, founder of the gym. “I just thought to myself, ‘Wow, wouldn’t it be great if we had an indoor place where all our problems could be solved?’” From an access standpoint, they were.
Pitch three: topping out Visions of a coherent community are on the horizon. While tension hangs with older generations, the sport’s newest members in the state are not as indoorinclined as they may seem. Programs at the University and other gyms across the state are focusing on shifting back to the indoor-togym mentality. “You have the traditional people — who we’ll probably turn into — but then you have us hooligans,” said University climb team captain Jacob Hammer. “We bring creativity and energy to everything we do — bringing that to climbing is really fun.” Hammer, who is helping launch new training programs with the COA, said the hope is to get everyone back in fresh air. “The goal is to not have two separate communities, that’s where I see it going,” Hammer said. Many say to those in the youngest stages of their passion that positive mentality transcends. Fourteen-year-old Zoë Nutsforle says outlook for Minnesota climbing isn’t too bleak, during Boulderfest North 2018, the first national climbing competition to be held in Minnesota. “I just want to keep trying and get better, and everybody is rooting for you no matter what — that’s so nice.” Five-year-old competitor Jack Miller has a positive attitude, too. “I always want to come back and do more and make new friends,” he said, his arms barely long enough to reach between holds. The steadfast love for rock climbing is only transitioning: from young to old, mentor to first time on a crash pad, Minnesotan climbers are hauling the addiction of altitude to levels unthinkable in a state hidden in the northern forests. The community is rapturous, and it’s going nowhere but up.
ABOVE: Two climbers complete circuit training on a hangboard during practice, a technique which helps build the specific strength they’ll need to make it up the wall. LEFT: Jacob Hammer reaches for the top of the bouldering wall during the University climb team’s practice on Tuesday, Nov. 13. BELOW: Elaine Kappel grabs onto a hold at the University’s bouldering wall during practice with the climb team.
LEFT: A climber ascends a route during his first outdoor session in Minnesota on Sept. 15 at Robinson Park in Sandstone, Minnesota. RIGHT: Ethan Anderson demonstrates a winter climb of the “Slicksides” boulder problem on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Interstate State Park. Interstate is where Anderson first learned to outdoor climb three years ago.
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Sports
MNDAILY.COM
MN DAILY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Basketball u from Page 1
act that way. Every little thing in practice is important to him. If it’s a stretch, if it’s making a layup, free throw shooting drills, whatever it is, it’s very important to him and he doesn’t take it lightly.” Among coaches and teammates, Kalscheur’s maturity has stood out and impressed those who watch him practice every day. “We tell him to shoot 50 free throws after practice,” Pitino said to reporters earlier this season. “Gabe has a routine where he dribbles it twice and then when he shoots it, make or miss, he blows a kiss to the heavens. He does it every time when he practices. I sat there and I filmed it, he didn’t know I was watching. And it’s just discipline: every single day, every rep that he does, he’s going to take it seriously.” On the court, Kalscheur’s stats don’t suggest that he’s a freshman. With a scoring average of 11.9 points per game, he trails senior Jordan Murphy (14.6) and junior Amir Coffey (14.3) for the team lead. Kalscheur’s main strength is his 3-point shooting. He made multiple 3-point field goals in all but one of his first eight games. His efficiency from the perimeter has provided plenty of highlights already. Against Utah, Kalscheur made five of six shots from behind the arc. Against Santa Clara, he hit seven threes and totaled 25 points. Through eight games he’s made nearly 54 percent of his three-point attempts,
Freshman Gabe Kalscheur dribbles the ball at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday, Nov. 30.
the 14th-best percentage in the nation. Among freshmen, he’s second only to Idaho’s Cameron Tyson (57.7 percent). “I like when it goes in,” Pitino said jokingly about Kalscheur’s shot. “Nice, high release, he’s confident with it, he has good rotation on the ball.” Against Washington, he
proved himself capable of performing in big moments. Minnesota trailed by one with less than five seconds remaining when he heaved up a desperation three that hit all net, giving the Gophers a 68-66 victory. Upon making the shot, Kalscheur didn’t celebrate. Instead, he kept a blank expression and simply jogged up the court
to get back on defense. This stoic reaction didn’t surprise his teammates, who swarmed the court to mob him once the buzzer sounded. “That’s pretty much Gabe’s personality,” Murphy said. “Gabe really shows very little emotion and when he does, it’s pretty rare. I really wasn’t surprised after that.” Kalscheur’s maturity is
nothing new to those who have spent time around him. Coffey and Kalscheur are both alumni of the Howard Pulley AAU program. He said as long as the two have known each other, Kalscheur has always taken a professional approach to the game. “I knew that as soon as he got here,” Coffey said of Kalscheur’s maturity. “The
TONY SAUNDERS, DAILY
way he carries himself in practice and in workouts. I’ve known him since high school so I’ve always known that about him.” In fact, Kalscheur’s high school, DeLaSalle, is just up the road from Williams Arena, where he and the rest of the Gophers will play their next game on Saturday against Arkansas State.
VOLLEYBALL
Two freshmen help anchor U championship dream Both C.C. McGraw and Adanna Rollins have found their way to help Minnesota’s success to get to the NCAA tournament. BY DAVID MULLEN dmullen@mndaily.com
The Gophers volleyball team is headed to the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth-consecutive season, but two true freshmen have made their presence felt all season. Libero C.C. McGraw and outside hitter Adanna Rollins both enrolled at the University last Spring semester and mutually agree that it has helped their growth and the team’s success. “I think [coming early] is just a huge advantage,” McGraw said. With an extra semester to learn Minnesota’s style, both Rollins and McGraw said they don’t feel like true freshmen at times. And their statistics show just that. McGraw finished the season 10th in the Big Ten with 410 digs. Rollins finished third on the team in kills, assists and digs. Their performances earned them selections to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. Rollins was also named 2nd Team
All-Big Ten and the North All-Region Freshman of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Teammate and opposite hitter Stephanie Samedy, who also had success as a freshman last season, said that to succeed early players need to have a certain type of mindset. “They really just wanted to develop and change how they play their game and they’ve done that at a good level,” Samedy said. On top of the post-season conference recognition both players were recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Week throughout the regular season. Rollins received the honor four times and McGraw earned it twice. From a coaching perspective, head coach Hugh McCutcheon said it takes a lot as a freshman to adjust, and there are a lot of players with talent, but lack other aspects that limit their success. “I don’t think talent’s particularly a rare thing, but there are very few that have the talent and then have the
“I don’t think talent’s particularly a rare thing, but there are very few that have the talent and then have the work ethic, and then the competitive maturity.” HUGH MCCUTCHEON head coach
work ethic, and then the competitive maturity,” McCutcheon said. When all of those things are managed properly and executed, he says that is when you see success out of such young players. While the awards are nice, the freshmen only have one thing on their mind. “It’s an honor, but it’s not really our goal,” McGraw said. “All that’s on our mind is the championship.” With the first weekend
ELLEN SCHMIDT, DAILY
Freshman libero C.C. McGraw serves the ball during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, Oct. 13. of the NCAA Tournament in Big Ten,” Rollins said. is so good. The seniors have the books, Rollins said they As the volleyball season helped us so much, and so has prepared after their success- is coming into the last two [McCutcheon],” Rollins said. ful season at Maturi Pavillion. weeks of the season, both The Gophers return to ac“It doesn’t feel different players are in disbelief at tion Friday to take on Oregon, because we’re at home. It still their first year success. which is one of three teams to feels like we’re playing in the “It’s really unreal ... our team beat them this season.
MEN’S HOCKEY
Gophers look to finish first half on a positive note against Michigan Minnesota hopes to get two wins to even record before threeweek holiday break. BY JACK WARRICK jwarrick@mndaily.com
After a couple of tie games that both ended in double overtime when Ohio State scored for an extra Big Ten point over the weekend, the Gophers finished out their six-game home stand 2-2-2. The Gophers will now play two games at No. 15 Michigan Friday and Saturday at the hostile Yost Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Head coach Bob Motzko said he remembers one of the times his team played there, when he was a coach at Miami of Ohio. “I think it was 10-1, not us. And the crowd was screaming all in unison,” Motzko said. “And [Miami
head coach George] Gwozdecky comes to me and he says, ‘what are they saying?’ I go, ‘it sounds like they’re saying ‘pizza’. And they were, because if they won by 10, on their ticket stub they all got a free pizza.” Motzko doesn’t want the result to be like it was that night when he takes the Gophers there this weekend. The series is the last set of games until the team goes on a three-week holiday break. They look to end on a high note after a 4-6-3 start to the season. Minnesota will have 20 more scheduled games following the break. “We’re ending the first half and it’s always something you want to go into the break feeling good about where we’re at,” said forward Brent Gates Jr. “Second half, we really want to make a push and no better way to start that than a
have a lapse, and we give up 40-some shots, we know he’s going to give us a chance,” Gates Jr. said. Robson has started the majority of games this season with nine, while Eric Schierhorn, who started as a freshman and sophomore, has played in five games and started four. Schierhorn won back-toback Big Ten Goaltender of the Year awards in his first two seasons. COURTNEY DEUTZ, DAILY
Freshman Sampo Ranta fights for the puck on Friday, Nov. 30 at Mariucci Arena.
couple big wins on the road before break.” Robson saves the weekend Gophers goaltender Mat Robson started both games over the weekend in the home series against Ohio State. He made 70 total saves, allowing four goals over the weekend. The Gophers were down early 2-0
in each game, but Robson made save after save to allow the Gophers’ skaters to get back to a 2-2 tie in each case. Robson has a 3-3-3 record this season with a 92.3 percent save percentage. “We don’t want to always have to make him make 40-some saves, but it’s nice to know that we have that weapon where if we do
Two freshmen making a buzz Sammy Walker has nine total points through 13 games this season, leading all freshman skaters on the Gophers. He is the center on a line of all freshmen, alongside Blake McLaughlin and Garrett Wait. “He has been somebody we’re leaning on as a freshman, that through our ups and downs, there has been no downs, he has just been
a streaking star heading north,” Motzko said. “That freshman line, they’re starting to believe they’re not freshmen. That’s why we’re excited about second half with that group.” Another freshman, Sampo Ranta, was selected by his home country of Finland to be on the country’s preliminary roster for the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Vancouver, British Columbia. “It’s a great opportunity, and I would say a dream come true for me,” Ranta said. “Those guys I’ve always been looking up to, and I want to play there someday, and now the opportunity to represent my country, which is pretty cool.” Ranta started his first collegiate season with three points in the first three games. Since the hot start, he has tallied three more since in the last 10 games.
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Thursday, December 6, 2018
Vandalism
Gabel u from Page 1
u from Page 1
data and open meeting laws prevented them from carrying out the search effectively. “We need a conversation about this [law],” Regent Richard Beeson said. “Because, really, it doesn’t work.” Rosha, who voted against naming a finalist, proposed naming another candidate not recommended by the search committee. That effort was voted down by the board. At one point, McMillan said the board could vote to start the search process over. But in the end, the regents chose to move forward with a single finalist, a decision Rosha expressed qualms over. “I have very strong concerns about a process where the board should be conducting public interviews of finalists,” Rosha said in an interview with the Minnesota Daily. “We cannot delegate that away.” Although he called Gabel a “remarkable candidate,” Rosha said the process went against the spirit
ROTC House are all Living Learning Communities that are located in the residence hall. In response to the event, Housing and Residential Life will host a community forum on Dec. 11 for residents of the hall “to explore the question of what community [they] want in [their] home.” “We know these incidents do not occur in isolation. They are connected to oppressive histories and systemic injustices that have had an increased presence in our cultural conversations over the past year,” the email said. In a statement sent to the Minnesota Daily, campus Jewish student group Minnesota Hillel said it condemns the vandalism and will continue to monitor the situation. The statement said Hillel will work closely with the Office of Student Affairs and University police to ensure the vandalism and similar incidents are taken seriously. “Perpetrators of these types of incidents are intent
PHOTO BY ART SMITH
Joan Gabel is the sole finalist in the presidential search at the University of Minnesota.
of public data and open meeting laws. “To the extent that the open meeting law provides that the public can participate and review and respond to open interviews of the top candidates for a position,” he said. “I don’t think that having a sole candidate meets the spirit of the public being able to participate.” This is not the first time the board has only named one finalist. The last two presidential searches
ended with only one person publicly named. While Gabel doesn’t have ties to Minnesota, regents said she is knowledgeable about the state and excited to come here. “When you talk to someone you can tell if they want to be a president and … want to be the president of the University of Minnesota,” Omari said. “And Joan Gabel wants to be the president of the University of Minnesota.”
“I don’t think that having a sole candidate meets the spirit of the public being able to participate.” DARRIN ROSHA University Regent
on spreading a message of hate and challenging the openness and respectful atmosphere of our community. Collectively, we reject these chilling acts and the hate they represent. The recent spike in hate incidents both nationally and locally directed against Jews and other minorities is deeply disturbing,” the statement said. Anti-Semitic vandalism is not new to campus residence halls. In February 2017, an 18-yearold student was arrested by the University Police Department for felony criminal damage to public property with bias involving a swastika. That same month, a Jewish resident of Pioneer Hall discovered a drawing depicting a swastika and Nazi concentration camp in their dorm room. The day after the student was arrested, multiple swastika-covered fliers advertising a neo-Nazi website were discovered near campus. The University and Housing and Residential Life is working to support those affected by the vandalism, according to a statement from the University.
Policy u from Page 1
and the value and validity of their story,” Cline said. “Even though it’s very rare for someone to actually press charges and even rarer for someone to be found guilty, [the proposal] is eliminating a lot of pathways to justice.” The proposal also requires campuses to only investigate incidents that happened on campus or through campus-sponsored events. “It takes the current standard and raises it to a deliberate indifference standard. It may not sound significant, but having worked on Title IX civil matters ... the threshold is much higher in terms of what they don’t have to meet ... to be found in violation,” said S. Daniel Carter, president of Safety Advisors for Educational Campuses. Carter said by reducing the number of cases subject to Title IX regulation, schools will have to drop cases that are no longer a Title IX matter. Universities can continue investigating at an institutional level, he said. According to a statement emailed to the Minnesota Daily from the U.S. Department of Education, the proposed rule requires schools to respond meaningfully to every report of sexual harassment and ensure protections for all students. “Every survivor of sexual violence must be taken seriously, and every student accused of sexual misconduct must know that guilt is not predetermined,” DeVos said in the statement. The proposal’s changes to hearing regulations are particularly concerning,
Junior Meara Cline, chair on the Minnesota Student Association’s sexual assault task force, poses for a portrait on Dec. 3.
said Maeve Sheridan, president of the University’s It’s On Us chapter, an initiative aiming to end sexual assault on college campuses. The plan would require colleges to allow accused students to indirectly crossexamine their accusers in a campus disciplinary hearing, which was discouraged
in previous guidelines. “While they’re not personally questioning each other, there is a concern regarding significant opportunity for intimidation of the complainant by the respondent,” Carter said.
Waiting for an outcome
Carter said because of
the importance of the topic, the public should have more than 60 days to comment. Safety Advisors for Educational Campuses sent a letter last week requesting for the comment period to be extended to 120 days. “The circumstances are unlike anything I’ve seen in my 24 years of doing this,”
Carter said. “But [the U.S. Department of Education] is obligated to review the public comment and take it into account. I’m hopeful that the impact can be more balanced.” Sheridan said if the policy passes, people know it will be even less probable for victims to get justice.
TONY SAUNDERS, DAILY
“If it does pass, [our goal] stays with supporting victims and survivors to make sure these proposes do not change the amount of support they have from other students,” Cline said. “We have a really important opportunity at the U to say that we do support survivors.”
Officers respond to assault at Dinkytown Wine and Spirits
Nation bids goodbye to Bush with high praise, cannons, humor
UMPD and MPD also responded to thefts and autorelated incidents.
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BY NIAMH COOMEY ncoomey@mndaily.com
Minneapolis and University of Minnesota police responded to several auto-related incidents and an assault around campus this week. University of Minnesota Police Department Chief Matt Clark said crime has remained steady in the past couple weeks. Minneapolis Police Department officers responded to an assault Nov. 27 at Dinkytown Wine and Spirits around 5:45 p.m. The suspect was taken into custody by UMPD and taken to a hospital nearby. MPD responded to two thefts from motor vehicles around campus in the past week. One theft occurred on the 800 block of 19th Avenue of Southeast Thursday between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. Another took place on the corner of 21st avenue Southeast
JACK RODGERS, DAILY
A Minneapolis Police officer patrols Dinkytown on Nov. 13.
and Como Avenue Southeast between 10:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 p.m. Sunday. On Sunday, MPD officers responded to a property damage hit and run incident on the corner of Oak Street Southeast and 4th Street Southeast around 6:30 p.m. The victim’s vehicle was damaged when the suspect rear-ended her and drove off. MPD officers found a vehicle driving recklessly in Downtown Minneapolis Sunday. The vehicle eventually crashed at the corner of 5th Avenue Southeast and Washington Avenue
Southeast around 9:00 p.m., and the suspects fled. A victim’s car was stolen when it was left running and unlocked outside a residence on the 500 block of University Avenue Southeast on Monday around 8:10 a.m. According the the UMPD crime log, the department responded to five thefts around campus in the past week. Shannon McGoffin, the operations manager for UMPD, said that with more students off campus during the holidays, UMPD anticipates less crime in the next month.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The nation bid goodbye to George H.W. Bush with high praise, cannon salutes and gentle humor Wednesday, celebrating the life of the Texan who embraced a lifetime of service in Washington and was the last president to fight for the U.S. in wartime. Three former presidents looked on at Washington National Cathedral as a fourth — George W. Bush — eulogized his dad as “the brightest of a thousand points of light.” After three days of remembrance in the capital city, the Air Force plane with Bush’s casket left for a final service in Houston and burial Thursday at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station. His final resting place is alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years, and Robin Bush, the daughter who died of leukemia at age 3. His plane, which often
serves as Air Force One, arrived at Ellington Field outside Houston in late afternoon. As a motorcade subsequently carried Bush’s remains to the family church, St. Martin’s Episcopal, along a closed interstate, hundreds of people in stopped cars on the other side of the road took pictures and shot cell phone video. One driver of a tanker truck climbed atop the hulking vehicle for a better view, and at least 15 firefighters scaled a pair of stopped firetrucks to salute. Upon its arrival at the church, Bush’s casket was met by a military band and Houston Democratic Mayor Sylvester Turner. The national funeral service at the cathedral was a tribute to a president, a patriarch and a faded political era that prized military service and public responsibility. It was laced with indirect comparisons to President Donald Trump but was not consumed by them, as speakers focused on Bush’s public life and character — with plenty of cracks about his goofy side, too.
Trump sat with his wife, a trio of ex-presidents and their wives, several of the group sharp critics of his presidency and one of them, Hillary Clinton, his 2016 Democratic foe. Apart from courteous nods and some handshakes, there was little interaction between Trump and the others. George W. Bush broke down briefly at the end of his eulogy while invoking the daughter his parents lost in 1953 and his mother, who died in April. He said he took comfort in knowing “Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom’s hand again.” The family occupied the White House for a dozen years — the 41st president defeated after one term, the 43rd serving two. Jeb Bush stepped up to try to extend that run but fell short when Trump won the 2016 Republican primaries. The elder Bush was “the last great-soldier statesman,” historian Jon Meacham said in his eulogy, “our shield” in dangerous times.
8 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018
MN DAILY
MNDAILY.COM
Editorials & Opinions
COLUMN
EDITORIAL
Lawsuit attempting to stall Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive plan is ridiculous
Why choosing a single finalist is a mistake for U
Headed by an attorney with a poor environmental history, the lawsuit cites ecological concerns.
S
i nce the first draft of the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive plan was released, it’s been a rollercoaster of a ride. The City’s plan, required to be created JONATHAN ABABIY by the State columnist every ten years, is solely guidance — but it hasn’t stopped the hyperbole. The initial plan allowed fourplexes to be built anywhere in the city, even in single family neighborhoods. That quickly met backlash and the “Freyplexes” were replaced with triplexes and included modest height minimums in the next revision of the plan. Yet, this visionary and highly sober plan, with good guidance for dealing with a growing population inspired by national trends and Minneapolis’ denser past, seems to have made some very vocal Minneapolitans take a very interesting approach in opposition to the plan. This Monday, a local coalition filed a lawsuit against the plan and the City. Consisting of the local groups Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis, Minnesota Citizens for the Protection of Migratory Birds,
and Smart Growth Minneapolis at the forefront, they are claiming the City never did an environmental review of the plan. Despite the fact that the recently formed Smart Growth Minneapolis (SGM) shares a name with but is not related to Smart Growth America, a pro-density advocacy group, SGM’s tactic is a common one against anti-density advocates, especially in California. Sacramento’s Capital Public Radio recently covered a local lawyer in Redwood City, California who had used the state’s laws to call an environmental review on a 20-unit Habitat for Housing project. His justification? It would create traffic and impose shadows on the rear windows of his home office. Luckily, the state of Minnesota does not have an environmental law like California’s, which is ripe for abuse by grumpy citizens with too much time on their hands. As local lawyer Matthew Melewski wrote after examining their lawsuit, the case “conspicuously elides” the Minnesota law that expressly states comprehensive plans are exempt from the environmental reviews SGM is calling for. SGM’s argument falls especially flat, because the 2040 plan is clearly engaging environmental concerns. For example, SGM mentions the plan ignores issues about runoff. Yet, policies 73 and 74 in the plan are “Stormwater Management” and “Integration of Water Management into Development.” Additionally, four of the Plan’s 14 goals relate to stewardship of the environment, with one of them being “climate change resilience.” Additionally, the plans advocacy for multiple modes of transit is clearly rooted
in a concern for the environment. City planners designed it to encourage walking, biking and public transportation, all forms of transportation that leave less of a carbon impact than driving. They hope the plan can reduce automobile trips and bring the city’s emissions down to its 2050 emissions goals. SGM’s guise of environmentalism falls away in their choice of a lawyer, Jack Perry. Literally a waste lawyer, Perry has carved out a nice niche representing garbage companies. This isn’t his first tussle in Minneapolis, either. Perry just wrapped up a stint representing Northern Metal Recycling, a scrap metal company that recently moved out of North Minneapolis. The reason for the move? Perry couldn’t successfully prove to the State that the recycling plant wasn’t releasing harmful emissions. The lawsuit and SGM’s twisting of the law will fail. Their haphazard approach and underhanded tactic indicates they don’t really care about the environment. In contrast, the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan actually has a coherent approach to the environment. It is serious about proposing innovative solutions to our city’s pressing problems. Its guidance won’t solve all our city’s problems, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Jonathan Ababiy welcomes comments at jababiy@mndaily.com.
EDITORIAL
We should be grateful for gift of knowledge
On Wednesday, the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents met to discuss finalists in the search for the University’s next president. Due to the high-profile nature of the candidates, some have requested to remain anonymous unless they are considered to be the sole front-runner in the race. The Minnesota’s Data Practices Act requires names become public only after finalists are formally selected. Leading up to the meeting, the Minnesota Daily reported that several regents had voiced concerns that the search process would conclude with a single finalist — bowing to the wishes of the candidates, forgoing transparency for the sake of avoiding candidate embarrassment and shielding candidates from receiving backlash from current employers. This happened 8 years ago, when the University announced that Eric Kaler was the sole finalist. Now, it has happened again. Joan Gabel was announced Wednesday night as the only finalist in this quick and dirty presidential search. Although we commend the board for selecting the first female president in University’s history, we are vehemently against this practice. The search up to this point has been hotly contested. We feel, as we have articulated in past editorials, the student voice was not represented in the search and has since been disregarded. The University President is not beholden solely to the Board of Regents — he or she holds the power to influence decisions that affect students’ lives. We believe that multiple finalists should have been selected in order for the student body and the general public to present input on multiple candidates. This public vetting is crucial, as candidates are vying for a top-level, public position.
The University President is not beholden solely to the Board of Regents — he or she holds the power to influence decisions that affect students’ lives.
As finals season approaches, we forget the opportunity that postsecondary education presents. During this time, late in the semester, it is very easy to find yourself hating all things academic. The three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas fly by so fast — making it feel like they will never end. Homework is piling up, you are knee deep in finals preparation and the anticipation of winter break is building. Even when the final semester stretch makes you feel like there is no end in sight, it’s important to remember how lucky we are, as students, to have the chance to pursue higher education. In November, The Minnesota Daily published an article following John Hartman and Michele Gersich– two senior citizens currently taking classes at the University of Minnesota. The University’s Senior Citizen Education Program (SCEP) affords Minnesota residents who are over the age of 62 the opportunity to audit classes for free or for $10 per credit. In 2018, the University enrolled 420 students in SCEP, which was a 33 percent increase from 2016, according to Daily reporting. The stories followed in the article are heartwarming and encouraging. Unless you have seen them in your classes, you very seldom think about the number of older adults that choose to take university courses. That got the Daily’s Editorial Board thinking. Not only is it easy to take our education for granted, but it is also easy to forget about the experiences of other students who we may not explicitly relate to. When we are surrounded by others who share similar thoughts, opinions and experiences, we are more apt to remain in our own social echo-chamber. Having students in our classes that reflect different walks of life, or have lived in generations prior to ours, gives us the opportunity to hear new perspectives. It’s OK to be presented with challenging ideas and beliefs from others. It should motivate us to dig deeper into our own learning and encourage us to communicate with the world around us. Those are some of the basic skills the University wants us to walk away with after graduation — skills that are essential for daily life. Deciding to attend college is a decision many of us made at a young age. It’s often accompanied with the pressure from adults within our society to pursue higher education in order to further ourselves in the workforce. Without even thinking about it, many of us take this opportunity for granted. During times when we feel like giving up on our educational pursuits or feel that a degree is not worth the time spent, we need to strive to remind ourselves of the opportunities we have been presented with. But most importantly, we need to remember what we can do with them to go forth and better our world. Whether it be a Vietnam veteran taking classes to learn and advance their academic skills, or a college freshman looking to build a successful future, receiving an education is a privilege that no one should take for granted. Knowledge is a gift that we should be grateful to receive.
The community should be able to deliberate candidates in the running for presidential position.
Although we are happy the board decided to move forward with a candidate who represents a gendered diversity, we believe it was a mistake to name a single finalist. This search is as much for students, faculty and staff as it is for University administration. The voice of the University’s community should be heard and weighed. But, we feel that this was not the case in the Board’s decision to name a singular finalist.
EDITORIALS & OPINIONS DEPARTMENT Editorials represent the voice of the Minnesota Daily as an institution and are prepared by the editorial board.
Robert McGrady welcomes comments at rmcgrady@mndaily.com.
COLUMN
The lame duck that swam The outgoing Wisconsin governor, legislators hobbled the incoming democratic replacements.
T
h e Gophers took the Badgers’ axe away, but the state of Wisconsin is managing to chop their own house down just fine without it. Republicans UMA VENKATA in Wisconsin’s columnist post-midterm, outgoing legislature are deliberately stripping the state’s governorship and attorney general office of their traditional powers. The dramatic changes, which were defined in five bills, were drafted in secret. They were presented for public consideration at the Joint Finance Committee for one day total on Monday. No Democrat voted in favor of this sweeping reduction in powers, but it passed. Now, among other things, the Wisconsin governor is barred from previous traditional say in state agencies. Republican legislators can also intercede in legal cases on the attorney general’s desk and hire their own attorneys instead of the Wisconsin state attorney. It just so happens that both the incoming Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul are Democrats who hold positions that support early voting and marrying economic and environmental responsibility. These two issues do not seem to be in the interest of Wisconsin GOP.
Early voting tends to increase the minority voter turnout in places like Madison and Milwaukee, which the Republican party would apparently like to avoid — in a legal brief, this can be used as evidence of voter suppression. The Wisconsin GOP has recently pushed the Chinese electronics giant Foxconn’s entry into the state. So far, this has cost taxpayers $4.5 billion in subsidies, suspended a significant amount of environmental regulation and predicts grim prospects for Wisconsin employment and fiscal growth. I encourage you to read the deal that Gov. Scott Walker cut with Foxconn and its economic prognostics and infer for yourself whether this is truly in favor of all Wisconsinites. Let’s step back and think about this. This is more than just party politics — this is cheating the system. Regarding social safety nets such as welfare, I have often heard the argument that people will use the system when they don’t really need to. This is also cheating. I have met people who do this. I have also met many, many more people who collect government benefits because they have truly no other choice. When the government spends, it should be for the people it governs. When a government makes choices about labor, voting and health, those decisions should be in favor of the many, not the few. The behavior of Walker and his party friends in Madison has not reflected this. In their lame-duck session, Wisconsin Republicans are robbing Wisconsin voters of their decision-making ability, stripping the governor of his governing power and denying the state a government that is of the people, by the people and for the people. Uma Venkata welcomes comments at uvenkata@mndaily.com.
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.
letters@mndaily.com Fax: (612) 435-5865 Phone: (612) 435-1578 Letters and columns to the editor 2221 University Ave. SE Suite 450 Minneapolis, MN 55414
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018
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HOROSCOPES Today’s Birthday (12/6): Communication profits this year. Share your affection and kindness steadily. Study to unveil a mystery. Summer glory for your crew comes before physical obstacles alert you to stop and smell the roses. Follow your heart this winter. Express your creativity and passion.
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 7 — Explore and investigate over the next few weeks. Misunderstandings dissolve with Mercury direct for the next three months.
Libra (9/23 - 10/22): Today is a 7 — Lines of communication clarify with Mercury direct. Partnership misunderstandings diminish. It’s easier to persuade, compromise and reach consensus.
Taurus (4/20 - 5/20): Today is an 8 — Words and traffic flow more freely, with Mercury direct. Communication, especially about money, comes easier. Articulate feelings with someone you trust.
Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21): Today is a 7 — An obstacle is dissolving. Communication buzzes and hums, with Mercury direct for the next three months. Make lucrative deals.
Gemini (5/21 - 6/21): Today is a 7 — Communication barriers evaporate. Team coordination comes together naturally now that Mercury is direct.
Sagittarius (11/22 - 12/21): Today is a 9 — Practice your persuasive arts. Share what you love, especially with Mercury direct. Creative efforts bear fruit.
Cancer (6/22 - 7/22): Today is an 8 — It’s easier to advance professionally, with Mercury direct for three months. Brainstorming gets more productive and creative.
Capricorn (12/22 - 1/19): Today is a 7 — Family communications that may have seem kinked now flow freely with Mercury direct. Express the future you want to create.
Leo (7/23 - 8/22): Today is a 9 — Travel and launch new projects, with Mercury direct. Traffic flows better. Long-distance connections come together. Confirm reservations.
Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18): Today is an 8 — Creative efforts take a leap forward. It’s easier to learn and express your views now that Mercury is direct. Sign papers, post and publish.
Virgo (8/23 - 9/22): Today is an 8 — Buy, sell and discuss financial transactions. Exchange money, invoices and payments freely with Mercury direct. There’s less confusion.
Pisces (2/19 - 3/20): Today is an 8 — Salary talks advance as a barrier dissolves. Confusion diminishes. Banking matters take a turn for the better with Mercury direct.
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Breaking Down the U’s News
DR. DATE Dr. Date,
My boyfriend and I been dating for a while now. And while our relationships has had its ups and downs, I was excited to see what he had planned for our two year anniversary last week. That night, we went out for a nice dinner and I gave him an expensive board game he’d been wanting. When he said my gift was still in the mail, I was disappointed but excited nonetheless. The gift came yesterday, and I opened the box to see a new set of dish towels. For some background, he burned mine after leaving them on the stove and said he would replace them. I tried to contain how upset I was, but I cried after he left. I don’t think him paying me back for something he destroyed counts as a gift! He’s never slacked in the past. For my birthday, he covered my apartment in rose petals and presented me with a gorgeous necklace. Our anniversary was really important to me. The dish towels are nice and all, but I’m a hopeless romantic — not a lover of cheap Kohl’s fabric. What do I do?
—Replacement Gift
Dear Replacement Gift,
But did you dry your tears with the dish towels? See, useful! I get why you’re upset. Especially considering his track record, your boyfriend probably should have known you would expect more. I don’t want to assume he’s flippant about anniversaries, but are you sure he remembered? Considering he didn’t even have the gift on the day, he might have panicked when you said it was your two year anniversary and ordered the first thing that came to mind. Either way, make sure you talk to him about how upset you are. Who knows, maybe he’ll send you a replacement present that doesn’t try to make up for something he burned in a fire!
— Doctor Date
Dr. Date,
My girlfriend and I became more serious this year. We discussed potentially moving in together, but after seeing many of our friends break up and still have to live together, we decided to wait. I signed a lease for a one-bedroom and she signed with a (female) friend for a two-bedroom in a nearby complex. However, her friend just found out she can no longer live with my girlfriend. I was worried my girlfriend would have to pay twice the rent, until she told me the next day that she found a new roommate — a guy she’s known for years. I’m not one to get jealous super easily, but I’ve met him before. He’s way more attractive than me, came here on a full scholarship and definitely seemed to have eyes for my girlfriend. My girlfriend seems thrilled about her new roommate, but I’m panicking. What do I do?
—Totally Not Jealous
Dear Totally Not Jealous,
Woah, slow down there. Keep in mind, your girlfriend is not an object who can be stolen away by a handsome man — she’s a person who loves you. You said you two are serious — why do you have so little faith in her commitment? I can see why you might worry, but this situation isn’t as bad as you may think. Do you know how many roommates hate each other when they live together? Seriously, if he had feelings for her, they’ll be gone after she leaves the dishes overflowing in the sink. Trust your girlfriend, don’t let your jealousy cloud your judgement and realize she can have male friends. If it gets ugly, she can always move in with you, right?
— Doctor 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. For strategies on how to solve sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk.
Last issue’s solution
12/6/18
© 2018 Michael Mepham. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
10
Thursday, December 6, 2018
New wind tunnel is donated to UMN
Steven Fredericks, center is a post-doctoral associate in Professor Chris Hogan’s lab who manages most of the wind tunnel activities.
Recently-donated wind tunnel to help advance agriculture research at UMN. BY MOHAMED IBRAHIM mibrahim@mndaily.com
The University of Minnesota’s mechanical engineering department received a wind tunnel last month that will provide a new way to gain experience and learn new skills in agriculture research for undergraduate and graduate researchers.
The wind tunnel, donated by Land O’ Lakes subsidiary WinField United, allows aerosol researchers at the University to better understand the use of sprays in agricultural settings and minimize over-spraying in fields. The tunnel — which made its debut on Nov. 16 — is 23 feet long and can produce wind speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. “These sprays in particular that we’re interested in are designed as crop protectants. That means that they’re typically sprayed
on crops to enhance growth — and to be honest, to kill weeds in a lot of cases — and are a really necessary part of the food supply,” said Chris Hogan, a University professor and aerosol physics researcher. The tunnel was first used by WinField at their Product Development Center in River Falls, Wisconsin until the opening of a new facility prompted the need for an upgraded tunnel, which then started their search for the existing tunnel’s new home.
WinField researcher Dan Bissell, a University alumus and former research assistant at the University, facilitated the donation of the tunnel to his alma mater. “I thought that it would be best if we tried to do something different, and it seemed like a natural fit,” he said. “They could leverage it — use it kind of in a different way than what the industry has done before.” Currently, the newlygifted wind tunnel can be used by students for research, and may be integrat-
ed into academic coursework in the future. Undergraduate and graduate students are able to make use of the equipment, giving them the opportunity to explore a different discipline in engineering. “[What] this tunnel allows us to do is really expose the undergraduate researchers … to a field that they may not think of when they are considering mechanical engineering,” said Steven Fredericks, a Ph.D. associate in the lab and main operator of the tunnel. “The application
COURTESY OF MARCOS HERNANDEZ
[of the tunnel] is in the agricultural field, which we don’t really deal with a whole lot.” WinField will continue to work with the University beyond this initial gift, Hogan said. “WinField sponsors a research agreement with my laboratory group and that research is designed toward understanding droplet transport in agricultural settings,” Hogan said. “Our end goal is to minimize usage and that’s their end goal as well — to actually make usage more efficient.”
New tiny houses could provide options for homeless in the city Houses designed by the University’s Design Center may pop up in the city. BY EMMA DILL edill@mndaily.com
New tiny houses for the homeless designed by researchers at the University of Minnesota could pop up around Minneapolis next year. Envision Community, a collaboration between Hennepin Healthcare and the Minnesota Design Center at the University of Minnesota along with other parties, aims to design accessible housing for homeless and low-income people. This week, City leaders are looking to introduce zoning policy to accommodate this type. While the design for the housing is set, the designs cannot be implemented yet because they run against City zoning code. Three City Council members, including Ward 2 City Council member Cam Gordon, will work with the design team to reform the housing code in coming months. “Everything is kind of written for apartment buildings and single-family homes and this is just a little outside those regulations,” Gordon said. The project includes individual rooms joined together in a U-shape with a common area located nearby. Joseph Hang and Java Njamjav of the Minnesota Design Center worked directly on the project. The center’s director, Tom Fisher, supervised the project. Designers worked directly with members of Street Voices of Change, an organization whose members currently experience or have experienced homelessness, to gather feed-
HAILEE SCHIEVELBEIN, DAILY
back about housing needs. Fisher said designers needed to consider financial restrictions along with the needs of the homeless, which helped inform the decision to design a tiny house model. Hennepin Healthcare aims to use this project to decrease health care costs for the homeless by providing them with affordable housing and supportive communities. “This isn’t just housing for the homeless,” said William Walsh, deputy chief innovation officer at Hennepin Healthcare’s Upstream Health Innovations program. “The Envision Community project is about housing for the homeless that also works for the healthcare system. ... It’s really designed for both parties.” The design team will collaborate with City Council members and other City planners to draft new housing ordinances that will allow for the tiny-home communities. Fisher said one day he hopes the City will add a section of the zoning code specifically focused on housing for the homeless. Other cities including Detroit, Phoenix and Seattle have built similar tiny homes aimed at housing the homeless. Earlier this
year, project contributors traveled to Austin, Texas, where they lived for a week in the city’s Community First! Village tiny housing. Walsh traveled to Austin with the group. He said the experience helped him realize that the Envision Community is about more than housing. “I think the big takeaway was that housing is not as important as creating community,” Walsh said. In Austin, the housing is located beyond the city limits, so the project did not have to alter existing building codes, Walsh said. In contrast, members of the Minneapolis City Council have been working on drafting code changes since earlier this fall. The proposal to make changes will come to the Council Friday at its final meeting of the year. If approved, it will be referred to a committee who will study the project and make suggestions about potential changes. T h e w h o l e p ro c e s s should be finished in about six months, Gordon said. During that time, project collaborators will try to determine how to choose tenants, set community guidelines and perform other logistical tasks, Walsh said.