CAMPUS & METRO
FOOTBALL
CAMPUS & METRO
Part two of a seven-week series that profiles Minneapolis mayoral candidates.
University alumnus, professor use phones for chemistry
Cobb steps up in key role for Gophers
A new technique could save high schools thousands of dollars on equipment.
David Cobb was a third-stringer at the start of the season, but he has emerged.
u See PAGE 6
u See PAGE 8
SUNNY HIGH 75° LOW 55°
U OF M
MINNEAPOLIS
ST PAUL
Candidates talk issues, student advice u See PAGE 12
WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT MNDAILY.COM
Sticker shock: MSA budget fails calculating the cost of care STUDENT GOVERNMENT
There weren’t enough reps. for a vote, and members disagreed on leadership stipends. BY KYLE STOWE kstowe@mndaily.com
After a contentious debate, the Minnesota Student Association failed to pass a budget for fiscal year 2014 at its Tuesday forum. This delay means MSA won’t be able to disburse grants to other student groups for at least two weeks, or until it passes a budget, possibly causing cancellation of some campus events for groups that rely on the money. At the Tuesday meeting, group members discussed how to spend the undergraduate student government’s nearly $200,000 budget, but they were at odds over how to fund stipends, and not enough voting members were at the meeting to make a decision. Matt Forstie, an MSA member and chairman of the Minnesota Student Legislative Coalition, said delaying the budget will cause “huge problems.” Almost 18 percent of MSA’s proposed u See MSA Page 6 Stipends were also controversial during last year’s student services fees process.
MULTICULTURAL
Three vie for GLBTA spot GLBTA Programs Office director candidates finished public presentations Monday. BY HAILEY COLWELL hcolwell@mndaily.com
The University of Minnesota’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Programs Office is nearing the end of its search for a new director. Three finalists for the position recently gave public presentations that addressed challenges in LGBT acceptance on campus and offered ways to make the University more inclusive. The director reports to the Assistant Vice President for Equity and Diversity and is responsible for communicating the needs and issues of the LGBT community to dif ferent par ts of the University. The director also provides resources to people who experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender expression. u See GLBTA Page 3 Candidates said there’s still work to do at the U.
TRANSPORTATION
MHNA works for bikeway The organization asked for MnDOT’s help with a new trail crossing under I-35W.
TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE PROCEDURES IN STATE $242,738
SEPTICEMIA TREATMENT
FAIRVIEW
$239,705
BY MARION RENAULT mrenault@mndaily.com INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DISEASES WITH O.R. PROCEDURE
FAIRVIEW
$196,376
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS AND VENTILATOR SUPPORT FOR 96+ HOURS FAIRVIEW
$193,498
Fairview consistently charges some of Minnesota’s highest prices for procedures.
MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURE
FAIRVIEW
$193,268
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS AND VENTILATOR SUPPORT FOR 96+ HOURS FAIRVIEW SOUTHDALE HOSPITAL
$192,865
INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DISEASES WITH O.R. PROCEDURE HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER
$189,554
SEPTICEMIA TREATMENT ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL
$187,587
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS AND VENTILATOR SUPPORT FOR 96+ HOURS ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL
$184,645
SEPTICEMIA TREATMENT NORTH MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
$183,172
INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DISEASES WITH O.R. PROCEDURE NORTH MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER SOURCE: CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES PROVIDER CHARGE DATA
There is large variation across hospitals for essentially the same service, and this raises a really important issue:
The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fair view charged $163,690 for gastrointestinal hemorrhage surgery in fiscal year 2011. Nine miles away, the same procedure cost $19,770 — an eighth of Fairview’s sticker price — at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital. This gap illustrates the murky business of how hospitals decide the cost of care. It’s standard practice for hospitals to slap essentially meaningless sticker prices on their lists of procedures — prices that patients rarely pay in full. And Fairview touts some of the highest prices in the state, according to data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services earlier this year. The data include charge information for 50 Minnesota hospitals. Fair view’s prices are often triple or quadruple the cost of the state’s cheapest hospitals. It tops the list for any given procedure nearly 37 percent of the time — more than any other Minnesota hospital. “There is large variation across hospitals for essentially the same service,” said Jean Abraham, a University health policy and management associate professor. “And this raises a really important issue: why?” That question has no clear answer, because the true value of a procedure gets lost somewhere between the sticker price and a patient’s final medical bill.
SEE HEALTH CARE PAGE 4
Jean Abraham
University health policy and management associate professor
ELECTION 2013
Students, candidates talk Dinkytown Eight mayoral hopefuls expressed support for development in Dinkytown. BY ALEXI GUSSO agusso@mndaily.com
Eight mayoral frontrunners were cautiously supportive of development in Dinkytown at their first forum on campus Tuesday. The candidates generally agreed that the development in Dinkytown is a step in the right direction, but all said that safe and affordable student housing is a
necessity. Three student organizations invited candidates Mark Andrew, Jackie Cherryhomes, Betsy Hodges, Don Samuels, Cam Winton, Stephanie Woodruff, Bob Fine and Doug Mann to participate in the event at Coffman Union’s theater. Nearly every candidate said they suppor ted the Opus group’s controversial 140-unit apartment complex that displaced House of Hanson and other local businesses, which is under construction now. Mayoral candidate and current city councilwoman Hodges said she supports a balance of historic buildings and “mom
and pop shops” in the area. Andrew said it’s impor tant for the neighborhood to have more input on upcoming projects. u See FORUM Page 6 Students asked candidates about public safety in the University area. RELATED CONTENT Candidates visited campus during a voter registration event early Tuesday. u See Page 3
BY JANE CAMPBELL jcampbell@mndaily.com
The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association wants to add a straight bike connection between the Stone Arch Bridge and the Dinkytown Greenway, which currently ends behind the University of Minnesota’s Sanford Hall. The bikeway would run underneath Interstate 35W along the Mississippi River and the railroad tracks near the 10th Avenue Bridge, which connects the University’s East and West banks. It would allow bikers and pedestrians to cross I-35W at a point where there are no cars. Currently, the only place to cross without car traffic is the pedestrian bridge on Fifth Street Southeast. MHNA President Cordelia Pierson requested help on the project in a letter to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. u See BIKEWAY Page 6 MHNA also wants improvements to the Fifth Street Southeast bridge by 2017.
CHELSEA GORTMAKER, DAILY
Eight mayoral candidates, left to right: Mark Andrew, Jackie Cherryhomes, Bob Fine, Betsy Hodges, Doug Mann, Don Samuels, Cam Winton and Stephanie Woodruff, speak about issues during a debate hosted by MSA and MPIRG at the Coffman Theater on Tuesday evening.
VOLUME 115 ISSUE 14
2
Daily Review
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
1957 Under escort from the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, nine black students enter all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. HISTORYCHANNEL.COM/TDIH
VIDEO Vol. 115 Wednesday, September 25, 2013 No. 14
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WORLD BRIEFING
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Egypt: No immediate move to dismantle Brotherhood BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAIRO — Egypt’s military-backed government on Tuesday signaled it was in no rush to dismantle the Muslim Brotherhood, preferring to wait for a ruling outlawing the ousted president’s group to be upheld by a higher tribunal. The group rejected Monday’s court verdict and vowed to appeal it. But with much of their leadership in prison and public opinion appearing to run strongly against them, analysts said the Brotherhood can do little more. In New York, meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama said that future support for Egypt would depend on its progress in pursuing democracy. In the nearly three months since a coup ousted President Mohammed Morsi after millions took to the streets demanding his removal, the government has rounded up around 2,000 top leaders, mid-level organizers, and rank-and-file members of the Muslim Brotherhood, from which he hails. Many have been charged with inciting of violence. Hundreds have been killed in government crackdowns on protest camps and demonstrations, while Morsi
suppor ters have attacked churches and police stations in retaliation. The media depicts the interim government as waging a war on terror, and public opinion appears to support the crackdown as well as extraordinary measures, like a state of emergency and a nighttime curfew, that the state says is necessary. Monday’s court verdict, which orders that the group be outlawed and its assets confiscated, was widely seen as a dramatic escalation in the campaign against the Brotherhood, a prelude to the draining of its funding and the closure of its elaborate network of social services, schools and hospitals. These have been crucial to the group’s effort to build grassroots support, and are credited with a major role in its election victories. On Tuesday, Egypt’s staterun news agency reported that the Cabinet has “postponed taking any decisions” to implement the court order, deciding instead to await “final court rulings out of respect for the judiciary.” Ibrahim el-Sayyed, a senior official of the Brotherhood’s political arm — the Freedom and Justice Party — said the group will appeal the verdict although it rejects it. “This is an attempt to ter-
rorize (group) members,” he told The Associated Press. “Nothing will stop us,” he said, alluding to previous crackdowns on the Brotherhood throughout its 85-year histor y. He said Brotherhood-affiliated hospitals and schools would continue to work. But others said the movement’s options were few. “The Brotherhood is dying,” says Ammar Ali Hassan, a scholar of Islamic movements. “The ban order was welcomed by the people after the group lost public support ... Now their hands are tied and there is little they can do.” The Brotherhood, founded in 1928, was outlawed 20 years later and again in 1954 by the late President Gamal Abdel-Nasser, who imprisoned and executed several of its top leaders. The Brotherhood’s fortunes rose dramatically in the wake of the 2011 ouster of autocrat Hosni Mubarak. It quickly formed a political party and won a series of elections, including the 2012 ballot that brought Morsi to office. However, its legal status remained hazy. In March, it registered as a nongovernmental organization, but its entire network was not brought under the association’s aegis.
The verdict ordered a ban of the group itself — including the official association it registered earlier this year — as well as “any institution branching out of it or ... receiving financial support from it.” Egypt’s of ficial MENA news agency said Minister of Social Solidarity Ahmed elBorai, who is in charge of registering NGOs, has presented a bill to “disband” the Brotherhood as a non-governmental group. Several other courts are looking into similar suits. Egypt’s Administrative Court is also looking into the legality of the group’s registered nongovernmental organization. The court is holding its next session on Nov. 12. Meanwhile, security forces continued a campaign against Islamist strongholds that have resisted the interim government’s authority. On Tuesday, special forces cond u c t ed h ou s e-t o-h ou s e raids in search of wanted suspects in the village of Nahya, just west of Cairo. Officials said they were looking in par ticular for those behind the br utal killing last month of 15 policemen in the adjacent town of Kerdasa that followed the deadly crackdown on the pro-Morsi protest camps.
Streetcar plan Missing student moves forward last seen with
shooting suspect
BY ALEXA BILLADEAU abilladeau@mndaily.com
A Minneapolis City Council committee voted in favor of a $200 million, 3.4 mile-long streetcar line Tuesday. The city’s Transportation and Public Works Committee voted Tuesday to build a “starter” streetcar line to improve transit along Nicollet and Central Avenues, instead of using enhanced bus service. At the public hearing, committee members said streetcars can carry more people in less space compared to buses and would provide more economic benefits in the long run. Ward 12 councilwoman and committee chair Sandy Colvin Roy said streetcars will utilize the city’s resources better than improving bus service would. Attendees at the public hearing also spoke in favor of the idea, saying a streetcar line would carry more passengers and would be less expensive to maintain. But even some proponents of the plan, like Colvin Roy, have reservations about the proposal. “I have been a skeptic about streetcars from the beginning,” Roy said at the hearing, “[But] I am not skeptical about the value of their ability to move a lot more people through this very limited space that we have.” The streetcar line plan will be voted on by the full council next week.
BY KIA FARHANG mfarhang@mndaily.com
A University of Minnesota student was reported missing Monday after being seen with a man suspected in a deadly Burnsville shooting. The suspected man is now in custody. Anarae Schunk, a 20-year-old sociology student, was last seen Sunday, according to a press release from the Burnsville Police Department. The man she was last seen with is a suspect in a Sunday homicide at a Burnsville bar and restaurant, the release said, but he hasn’t yet been charged with a crime. Schunk is not a suspect in the shooting investigation. A Burnsville police spokesperson couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension posted a missing person alert on its social media accounts Tuesday night, asking anyone with information on Schunk’s whereabouts to contact Burnsville police. Schunk lived in Burnsville while attending the University but moved into University Commons apartments in Prospect Park about a month ago, her mother, Mariana Schunk, said.
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Wednesday, September 25, 2013
3
Voterpalooza brings candidates to the U MPIRG and MSA volunteers registered and got voting pledges from more than 100 U students. BY ALEXI GUSSO agusso@mndaily.com
More than 100 University of Minnesota students registered and pledged to vote during the campus Voterpalooza event and mayoral debate Tuesday — fewer than were registered during Voterpalooza last year. Campaigns for Minneapolis city elections — which will be held Nov. 5 — haven’t targeted the University this year, and the second annual Voterpalooza event on Northrop Plaza was the first time some students had heard about the elections. Speech, language and hearing sciences senior Julia Eckert said if she hadn’t stumbled upon the event, she probably wouldn’t have known there was an election this fall. “It made me want to look into getting more information [about the candidates],” she said. Students heard from Minneapolis mayoral and city council candidates, registered and pledged to vote and learned about rankedchoice voting as part of the event, which celebrated National Voter Registration Day. Last year, about 350 students registered and pledged to vote at Voterpalooza, which was hosted this year by the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, Minnesota Student Association and FairVote Minnesota. Only seven of 35 mayoral candidates attended the event. Those who did — Stephanie Woodruff, Cam Winton, Betsy Hodges, Bob Fine, Jackie Cherryhomes, Doug Mann and Don Samuels — stressed the importance of
GLBT u from Page 1
Owen Marciano, an adviser in the College of Education and Human Development, is one of the candidates for the position. Marciano said he knew he wanted to work with college students ever since he received his bachelor’s degree. “I believe in the power of young people to transform our campus, to transform our broader communities and to be leaders in our movement for justice on campus,” he said. Marciano, the GLBTA Program Of fice’s former assistant director, said the University has a lot going for it because of its variety of LGBT student groups, such as the Queer Student Cultural Center, and a 20-year-old programs office. But the University also has challenges, he said, such as incidents of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia on campus. “We still have students who have negative experiences in their residence halls, in their classrooms,” he said. “We have students who feel like it’s not safe for them to come out depending on the communities that they’re in, so all of that still does exist here.” Marciano said he hopes to strengthen relationships with leaders of different campus offices and organizations while educating them on LGBT community issues. Carmen Phelps, another candidate who currently serves as an associate professor and director of graduate studies at the University of Toledo in Ohio, said she was inspired to apply for the position because of her interest in social justice for LGBT communities. If she gets the job, Phelps said, she hopes to expand on the University’s existing programs to serve a wider variety of needs in the LGBT community. “I’m really impressed by what I’ve seen so far in terms of the programs that are offered through the Office for Equity and Diversity and the GLBTA Office,” she said.
CHELSEA GORTMAKER, DAILY
Senior Tatiana Hakanson, right, registers to vote at “Voterpalooza,” hosted by MPIRG, MSA and FairVote MN, at Northrop Plaza on Tuesday afternoon. City Council members and mayoral candidates spoke with students to inform them about the upcoming election.
voting and made arguments for why students should vote for them. DFL candidate Woodruff said students were looking to get a better sense of her campaign platform. “I think a lot of people haven’t been paying attention yet,” she said. Woodruff said students seemed most concerned about the education gap, which she said is the city’s “biggest crisis.” Independent candidate Winton said students asked him a variety of questions Tuesday, like how he plans to increase jobs. He said students also asked how he plans to improve the relationship between the University and
Phelps said she’d want to create stronger relationships between the GLBTA Programs Office and faculty members and researchers across campus in areas where LGBT advocates are lacking. She said she’s also interested in reaching out to the Twin Cities community. Candidate Stef Wilenchek, assistant director of gender and sexual orientation initiatives at Hamline University’s diversity center, declined to be interviewed for this story. The QSCC and the Programs Office are closely related, QSCC officer Brittany Bastian said. “The GLBTA office is one of our closest allies,” she said. The QSCC has been introduced to all of the candidates and is keeping tabs on them, Bastian said. The search is important to the QSCC and to all queer students on campus, she said, because the director acts as a representative for them. No matter who becomes the director, Bastian said, the QSCC wants to create awareness and a safe space across the University for all people who identify as queer. “I think ultimately the goal of both of the organizations is to make sure that we are getting heard,” she said.
Minneapolis police. City Council candidate Jacob Frey also used Tuesday’s event to gain student support. Frey is looking to unseat two-term DFL incumbent Diane Hofstede to represent Ward 3, which includes parts of the University and surrounding neighborhoods. Hofstede did not attend Tuesday’s event.
‘A ver y different election’
This year, 35 candidates are vying to replace Mayor R.T. Rybak, who has held the seat since 2001. The city will use ranked-choice voting, a method allowing voters to rank their top three choices for mayor on
the ballot. On Tuesday, representatives from FairVote MN, a group that advocates for ranked-choice voting, were on hand to teach students about how the voting process will play out. “People tr y to pretend that this is going to be difficult. We’re going to prove them wrong,” said Mike Griffin, FairVote MN field director. Chemical engineering freshman Nicole Olson attended the event to learn more about the system. She said she thinks ranked-choice voting is “a good way to vote.” “It kind of makes me want to vote more,” she said.
Not as many students registered and pledged to vote as last year, but MPIRG co-chair Cora Ellenson-Myers said they aren’t comparing the two years. MPIRG set a semester goal of 2,000 registrations and pledges to vote, she
said, and has now reached more than 1,700. “It’s a ver y dif ferent election than [last year’s],” she said, “but we are ver y happy with tur nout this year.” -Nicholas Studenski contributed to this report.
4
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Sticker shock: calculating the cost of health care 8%
GRADUATE ASSISTANT HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN
HEALTH CARE FROM PAGE 1
29%
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
12%
MEDICA
Sticker prices ser ve as a star ting point for hospital negotiations with insurance companies and other third par ties — each of which have their own idea of what a procedure should cost. At the end of a long road of finagling, original sticker prices are slashed, with the third party sometimes paying as little as 10 percent. Patients then pay a fraction of that negotiated price, based on their insurance plan. Sticker prices are like a greedy child asking for too many presents on their bir thday, said Steve Parente, director of the University’s Medical Industr y Leadership Institute. “The kid is like, ‘I want a pony; I want a car; I want this super game; and I want five other things,’ ” he said. “That’s pretty much what the charges are.” But professionals agreed charges can ser ve as a “common language.” “Patient care ser vices have to be translated into something understandable by the hundreds or thousands of [payers],” said Jef f Ellison, administrative director of finance for Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. That common language, however, translates dif ferently for those with high outof-pocket costs, the uninsur ed, or patients with plans outside a hospital’s coverage. For these Fairview had the most groups, widely expensive procedure in the variant sticker state (of the 77 procedures prices have for which it provided greater bearing information) on final medical bills. “If you’re not insured and it comes to you … and you don’t want to fight it, that’s it,” Parente said. “Case closed.” Other wise, he said, the negotiating process can take up to a year. A t F a i r v i e w, uninsured patients receive the same disFairview was in the top five count as if they most expensive (of the 77 were covered procedures for which it by Blue Cross provided information) Blue Shield — though neither par ty would disclose the discount rate. Ohio State’s
37%
75%
Wexner Medical Center offers a flat 70 percent discount on charges for its approximately 16% 75,000 OTHER uninsured patients each year. For any patient, medical bills are often complicated, laden with jargon and confusing prices. 17% 18% Behind that veil, HEALTHPARTNERS STUDENT HEALTH hospitals have the abilBENEFIT PLAN ity to charge more, said health policy professor Abraham. “It tends to lead to ver y poor things,” he transparency of information,” she said. said. “It’s hard to know what the price of a medical “It’s that the insursystem is.” ance and payers have trusted our processes — as opposed to institutions that will have a cost of ‘x’ and a huge discount.” AT THE CROSSROADS OF Fair view reviews its charges annually, meetQUALITY AND COST ing with all hospital departments and analyzing Fair view’s charges reflect the cost of its payment rates to craft the final list of prices, residency programs, medical specialties and said McCoy, vice president of finances. the T win Cities’ “expensive” labor market, Parente said. Costs are also driven up by Fair view’s sick- FAIRVIEW IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN MADISON, est patients, who have more complications and ON AVERAGE, 8.5 TIMES OUT OF 10. longer stays, according to Fair view’s Vice President of Revenue Management, Andy McCoy. Exper ts said the cost of care generally reflects its quality. Fair view is the state’s third-best hospital, according to the US News and World Report. But Rochester’s Mayo Clinic ranks third in the nation and charged less than Fair view 93 percent of the time, sometimes with a procedure price difference of nearly $160,000. To set Mayo’s yearly prices, a team of physicians, financial administrators and nurses do a line-by-line charge analysis, said Dr. Frank Nichols, medical director of Mayo’s revenue McCoy declined to comment on the average cycle operations. markup on Fair view’s charges. This process aims to pinpoint the tr ue Sticker prices are intended to match expectcost of each procedure, and so Mayo Clinic ed payments from insurance companies in the rarely discounts much from its sticker prices, coming year, he said. Nichols said. In recent years, Fairview’s sticker prices have “It’s not that we don’t want to discount increased annually, with the exception of 2006.
U OF M STUDENT INSURANCE
HOSPITAL COMPARISON
UW HEALTH
RESEARCH MONEY
240,323 CHARITY CARE
PATIENTS PER YEAR
POPULATION OF CITY
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
2,500
2,240
2,899
7,924
8,028
31,324
108,992
$74.20 MILLION
$20.67 MILLION
$83.40 MILLION
$202.5 MILLION
$180 MILLION
350,000
392,880
70%
80%
88%
625,000
633,193
FAIRVIEW
$633.5 MILLION
MAYO CLINIC
NUMBER OF STUDENTS/ RESIDENTS
WOULD RECOMMEND THE HOSPITAL
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
5
STICKER PRICES FOR HEART FAILURE AND SHOCK MOST AND LEAST EXPENSIVE IN STATE
$11,535
VIRGINIA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, 44 VIRGINIA
$10,948
GRAND ITASCA CLINIC AND HOSPITAL, GRAND 45 RAPIDS
BIG 10 HOSPITALS: MOST EXPENSIVE TO LEAST
$26,106
MERCY HOSPITAL, COON RAPIDS 5
$35,723
2
ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, MINNEAPOLIS
$9,754
1
4
47
PARK NICOLLET METHODIST HOSPITAL, SAINT LOUIS PARK
$10,744
DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, FARIBAULT
$30,688
UNITY HOSPITAL, FRIDLEY 3
1. Northwestern University 2. Ohio State University 3. University of Illinois 4. University of Minnesota 5. Indiana University 6. University of Michigan 7. University of Iowa 8. University of Wisconsin
$30,491
UNITED HOSPITAL, ST. PAUL
$26,583
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL CENTER, FAIRVIEW, MINNEAPOLIS
46
$11,986
43 SANFORD WORTHINGTON MEDICAL CENTER, WORTHINGTON
KEEPING ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTERS AFLOAT
Fairview fell in the more expensive half of the eight Big Ten schools included in the data. The most expensive, on average, was Northwestern Memorial Hospital. University of Wisconsin Health — which was ranked Wisconsin’s best hospital by US News and World Report — was consistently the least expensive in the Big Ten pack. Of the 52 procedures for which all Big Ten hospitals provided sticker prices, UW Health offered the lowest price for 37.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE TREATMENT IN THE STATE:
$242,738 SEPTICEMIA TREATMENT, FAIRVIEW
Fairview was more expensive than UW Health almost 85 percent of the time. UW Health declined to comment for this story, citing its policy not to share information on its charge-setting process and other “competitive business information.” Being an academic health center — a hospital that includes a medical school — is an expensive business. “We just have costs associated with research and the academic mission that a normal community hospital [doesn’t],” said Ellison, finance director for OSU Wexner. Those costs include curriculum and faculty and, for most Big Ten academic health centers, 24/7 Level I trauma care. A hospital can provide one of three levels of trauma care; Level I has the highest volume of patients and staff. Fairview is one of only two Big Ten hospitals without a Level I trauma center.
“IT’S HARD TO KNOW WHAT THE PRICE OF A MEDICAL SYSTEM IS.” JEAN ABRAHAM
“The University’s hospital is an exception to that rule,” Parente said. Fair view, which lies in a metro area with five Level I trauma centers, instead operates a Level II trauma center. Ellison said it’s difficult for academic health centers to balance additional expenses while training the next generation of caregivers. “One of our greatest fears is we’re the ones who train doctors and nurses and professionals,” he said, “and as we look in the future … it’s going to put academic medical centers in a pretty difficult situation.” Parente said academic health centers survive only with the aid of federal research funds and government subsidies for graduate medical education. “It’s a valid concern,” he said. “The provision of patient care alone frequently will not cover the costs of an academic health center.”
STRIDES TOWARD TRANSPARENCY Over time, price-setting has become a tangled process between hospital administrators, insurance companies and patients. Each hospital sets its prices according to individualized standards that involve “crazy math” and the assumption that patients will never pay the full cost, Parente said. He said hospitals are forced to increase their charges in order to make up for losses. “As time has gone on, hospitals are getting less and less of their money back,” Parente said. Hospitals have become entrenched in the charge system — “a remnant of history,” according to OSU’s Ellison. “Charges really are kind of an artifact of a payment system of the past,” said Barb Sheflet, director of finance for Allina Health, which owns or operates seven metro-area hospitals. But charges are some of the only price information made publicly available. Experts agreed that health care cost transparency is one of the industry’s biggest issues. Minnesota Hospital Association spokeswoman Wendy Burt said Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ charge data is a good first step. “Consumers are going to increasingly demand more information about what they can expect to pay,” she said. Sheflet said she believes the health care system is headed in the right direction. “I think we’ve come a long way in terms of transparency,” she said. “I think we have some room to go. As we all develop tools for patients … we’re taking great strides in that direction.” Parente said hospitals know they would benefit from improved transparency but struggle to discern their own internal costs. “Getting a more accurate accounting of their costs is really going to be vital for health institutions to thrive,” he said.
BEST HOSPITALS IN MINNESOTA 1. Mayo Clinic
ROCHESTER
2. Allina Abbott Northwestern Hospital
MINNEAPOLIS
3. University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview
MINNEAPOLIS
4. Allina Mercy Hospital
COON RAPIDS
5. St. John’s Hospital
ST. PAUL *Minnesota has 154 hospitals
U STUDENT HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN Charges have little impact on students enrolled in the University’s Student Health Benefit Plan. The plan covers 80 percent of eligible expenses and caps out-ofpocket costs at $3,000 per person per year. The plan costs almost $1,000 per semester. On the Twin Cities campus, about 8,500 students are enrolled in the Student Health Benefit Plan. Another 1,500 from coordinate campuses are also enrolled. T h e m o st p o p u l a r a l t e r n at e p r o v i d e r fo r s t u d e n t s i s B l u e Cross, followed by HealthPartners and Medica.
GRAPHICS SOURCES: CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, OFFICE OF STUDENT HEALTH BENEFITS, U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, MAYO CLINIC, FAIRVIEW HEALTH SERVICES, UW HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
6
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
U alum, prof use phones for chemistry A new technique could save schools thousands of dollars. BY KATELYN FAULKS kfaulks@mndaily.com
Students are using their cellphones to do classical chemistr y experiments, a technique that could save high schools thousands of dollars. University of Minnesota alumnus Eric Kehoe and associate chemistry professor Lee Penn developed the technique to evaluate a liquid’s concentration by simply taking a photo with a smartphone. Penn has used the technique for the past two years
TEEN CELLPHONE OWNERSHIP (AGES 12-17)
78%
OF AMERICAN TEENS OWN A CELLPHONE
47%
OF THEM OWN A SMARTPHONE
SOURCE: PEW RESEARCH, 2013
in her freshman honors seminar, and Kehoe, who is a chemistry teacher at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School, has used it in his classes. “It makes it more accessible that way … taking something they’re interested in, their phones, and putting it in the classroom,” Kehoe said. “We can teach that there is more you can do with cellphones than just chatting with friends.” In the U.S., 78 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds own a cellphone and about 37 percent own a smartphone, according to a 2013 report from the Pew Research Center. Kehoe said most students would be able to use their own cellphone in class to analyze solutions. Those who don’t have smartphones can be paired with a student who does, or use a camera phone and do the analysis on a computer. Pre-existing free phone or computer applications, like Color Detector, analyze the amounts of red, blue and green in the photos. The values are compared to Beer’s Law, which states the deeper a solution’s color is, the higher its concentration. Colors are usually analyzed with a spectrometer, which can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000. Kehoe said it’s difficult
for high schools to use spectrometers because of their cost. Even if the school can purchase one or two spectrometers, he said, it can take a while for the whole class to conduct the experiments. “Between myself and the other science teachers, we get a little over $2,000 for a budget each year,” Kehoe said. “I would use half that for a few devices, and then I wouldn’t have money to buy anything else.” Since spectrometers are too expensive, Kehoe experimented with cellphones to see if they could analyze the color solutions accurately. The technique worked and is accurate about 95 percent of the time, he said. Penn said using cellphones in the classroom helps students relate to what they’re learning and makes the experiment more interesting. “I think it’s cool how you can use camera phones, something you can use ever yday, to do chemistr y,” said University neuroscience freshman Nmesoma Akpati. Biology, society and environment sophomore Hallie White said the technique was “simple and fast.” Kehoe said analyzing color with cellphones is fun for students and can easily be done at home or anywhere outside the classroom.
New MSA budget fails MSA u from Page 1
budget would have gone to stipends for group leaders. This spurred backlash from some MSA representatives in attendance, including Drew Christensen, Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow’s representative to MSA. “I don’t know how you can justify it,” Christensen said. “Students are taking on outstanding levels of debt, working incredible hours to try to pay their tuition so we can pad the pockets of MSA leadership, and I think that’s absolutely despicable.” MSA received more than $181,000 in student services fees funding for this school year. Forstie said he was disappointed some student group representatives didn’t bring
their concerns to MSA leadership before Tuesday’s meeting. “They just want to make a statement about their political beliefs, that we shouldn’t use [student ser vices fees funding] to fund student government,” he said. Controversy regarding stipends for student group members became an issue last year during student services fees recommendations. Forstie said in the meeting that the Student Services Fees Committee has traditionally been supportive of stipends for MSA leadership. MSA’s stipends didn’t receive any significant cuts during last year’s fees cycle, but stipends for some student groups, staf f and student officer wages were slashed. Ehren Minkema, the Mock Trial Association’s representative to MSA,
said they should outline the leadership’s responsibilities because they are currently unclear. “[This] makes it extremely tough for us to keep our officers accountable and keep the people that are using our student ser vices fees money in order to pay for their position,” he said. “It’s not okay.” MSA President Mike Schmit said he disagrees with cutting leadership stipends for all student groups, including MSA, adding that MSA’s stipends spending increased because it added leadership positions. Schmit said he couldn’t afford to serve as president without his $5,000 stipend and said he understands this is the case for many student group leaders. “It allows me to put in the time and not take a job on campus,” he said.
Students, candidates talk development Forum u from Page 1
since data can be analyzed right away. “Let’s say I’m doing an environmental analysis and I’m analyzing river water,” Penn said. “All I need is my camera phone to take pictures.” Since cellphones are less expensive than spectrometers, Penn said, it encourages
more participation in experiments, breaks down the barrier for schools without resources and lets students use their own devices. “I think that’s one thing I really like about it,” Kehoe said, “that I can turn this back to students and say, ‘Get out of the lab and bring back what you’ve learned outside.’”
MHNA works for bikeway Bikeway u from Page 1
“It’s the kind of project that will take years to do,” she said. “What’s missing is a shared commitment to get it done.” The space under I-35W is currently private railroad property. Negotiations with landowners take a long time, Pierson said. John Grif fith, MnDOT west area manager, agreed that getting construction approval from private property owners will be a hurdle. “Connecting Dinkytown and the Stone Arch Bridge could be done quickly,” he said. “It’s the project development process that could take a while.” Grif fith said MnDOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian unit has been working on the project, but right now “nothing has moved forward” in terms of negotiating with landowners.
In the letter to MnDOT, Pierson said the MarcyHolmes neighborhood “boasts very high rates of walking and bicycling, despite some challenging barriers and high accident rates.” “The space under I-35W is a logical place in terms of a corridor,” Griffith said. “We’re identifying how to create a better pedestrian experience off the city streets.” The Dinkytown Greenway, which opened in August, connects TCF Bank Stadium to the Mississippi River, but Pierson said student bicyclists aren’t very aware of the trail. “I’ve heard of it, but I don’t know a lot about where it is,” interior design senior Lauren Rath said. Pierson said the MHNA needs to post better signs designating the trail’s location.
Other improvement projects
Pierson said biking and walking transportation op-
tions are becoming more of a priority alongside other new transit developments, like the Central Corridor light rail and the Dinkytown Greenway. In the letter to MnDOT, Pierson also said she wants improvements to the Fifth Street Southeast pedestrian bridge by 2017. Nursing senior Br ynn Stofferahn said she feels unsafe using the bridge at night. “It could use some improvements,” she said, “like lights for walking at night.” When the agency responds to that request, Griffith said, the main priority should be repairing the concrete and fencing on the bridge. He said MnDOT would likely respond to this request sooner than the bikeway because the agency is directly responsible for the bridge, unlike the privately owned bikeway area. “If it’s our responsibility, like maintenance near interstates, we’re better at responding,” Griffith said.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL
EIGHTH STREET SOUTHEAST
15TH AVENUE SOUTHEAST
oral candidates before the election Nov. 5. “A lot of students are at the University for the first time this year, and they’ll be here for four years,” Madson said. “It’s important for them to have a voice about who will be governing them at the city level.” The groups decided which of the 35 mayoral candidates to invite to the event based on who had the most “likes” on Facebook, said MSA president Mike Schmit. “We wanted to make this as relevant as we can to students while being nonpartisan,” Schmit said. “We figured that social media is where students really connect with the world around them, especially when it comes to politics.” Matthew Schirber, a senior at Augsburg College, said he plans to list Hodges for his first choice and the event helped him decide on his second and third choices on Minneapolis’ instant runoff ballot. Environmental sciences sophomore Keisa Helgerson said she was most interested in hearing the candidates’ stances on housing, garbage disposal and education. “I wanted … an opportunity to learn about the candidates without actually doing my own research,” Helgerson said. “I have a couple that I really like and a couple that I really dislike.”
“I have students looking at food coloring in frosting or mixing different shades of a paint,” Kehoe said. Spectrometers can also be hard to use when scientists are conducting research in the field. Penn said taking a photo of water samples with a cellphone could be more ef ficient
35W
DINKYTOWN GREENWAY
UNIVERSITY AVENUE SOUTHEAST NEW TRAIL
H RC E ADGE N O I ST BR
VENUE 10THRAIDGE B
All of the candidates agr eed that the future development in the area should be met with more consideration and sensitivity. Chemical engineering senior Mepuka Kessy said he was “disappointed” in the discussion about development because the candidates failed to mention that “Dinkytown is the U’s town.” “All this new luxury student housing seems inconsistent with students’ best interests,” Kessy said. As a small business owner herself, mayoral candidate Woodruff said she “feels for small businesses that may be displaced,” but she supports the development in Dinkytown. Cherr yhomes said she supported the project but she would be hesitant about supporting the next big proposal for Dinkytown. On the heels of the Opus project’s approval, prolific area developer Doran Companies proposed a new six-story building on the same block. CEO Kelly Doran brought plans for a 70-unit apartment complex to the City Planning Commission last month, but he has said the project could also become a hotel. Mayoral candidates also discussed ways to improve
the city’s transit system Tuesday. They disagreed on the streetcar plan, which a city council committee passed Tuesday. The full council will vote on the issue next week. Winton said he likes the idea of the streetcar plan, but the city “simply can’t afford them.” Samuels, a current City Councilman who worked on the project, said streetcars are “dependable” and will attract more businesses and citizens to the city. The transportation issue caused the most disagreement between the candidates — all but Winton are running on the Democratic-FarmerLabor ticket and agreed on most of the forum’s topics. The forum also included student-submitted questions. One student asked how the candidates plan to address increasing crime rates in the University’s area. Woodruff, Hodges and Cher r yhomes said they would like to expand the collaboration between the city and University police departments. The Minnesota Student Association and the University chapter of the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group partnered with the Augsburg Day Student Government to host the forum. MSA member Gabe Madson said the groups held the event to help students familiarize themselves with may-
BRIDGET BENNETT, DAILY
Associate chemistry professor Lee Penn in her office Tuesday morning. Penn worked with University alumnus Eric Kehoe to develop a new technique of using cellphones, rather than spectrometers, to analyze solutions.
SOURCE: MNDOT
Obama, Bill Clinton tout health care BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton took to the same stage Tuesday to promote the new health care law that Obama championed after Clinton’s own efforts to reform health care years earlier fell flat. Joining forces under dimmed lights in a hotel ballroom in New York, Obama and Clinton laid out the law’s benefits and its connection to the economy while dispelling what they called disinformation about its down-
sides. Clinton, acting as host, lobbed the questions; Obama answered with the eagerness of a guest on a daytime TV talk show. It was a pair of presidents in dark suits, reclining on comfy, white chairs as they reflected on the effort that went in to passing the sweeping law, and the intense challenges facing its implementation. New exchanges where Americans can buy health insurance — a centerpiece of the law — open for enrollment on Oct. 1. “I don’t have pride of authorship for this thing, I
just want the thing to work,” Obama said. He added that he was confident Americans will be swayed by its advantages even though polls show they’re deeply wary of the law. “The devil you know is always better than the devil you don’t know.” Clinton felt free to point out some of the drawbacks in the law’s implementation, while making clear that Obama was not the one to blame. For example, he noted that the Supreme Court said states could not be forced to take Medicaid money to finance the expansion of health coverage.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Editorials & Opinions www.mndaily.com/opinion
The Editorials & Opinions department is independent of the newsroom. The editorial board prepares the editorials labeled “EDITORIALS,” which are the opinion of the Minnesota Daily as an institution but not representative of Daily employees’ opinions. Columnists’ opinions are their own.
TUITION
EDITORIALS
Comparing college costs: MN vs. US
Meet film students halfway
While tuition in Minnesota has risen in recent years, the state has fared better than the nation as a whole.
T
his past Monday, I compared the cost of college af fordability between the U.S. and several European countries, which got me wondering just how Minnesota ranks when it comes to college affordability nationwide. To my surprise, I found that there are actually very few statistics available that compare education costs by state, but I discovered there was far more information pertaining to college affordability on a state-tonational basis. The U.S. Department of Education released statistics concerning percentage changes in state spending indicators from the 2005-06 academic year to the 2010-11 academic year. The results are interesting, to say the least. In this time period, instate tuition and required fees
LUIS RUUSKA columnist
steadily increased by an annual average of 4.9 percent for full-time, first-time undergraduate students in the U.S. Interestingly enough, the biggest increase in tuition on a yearto-year basis — 7.7 percent to be exact — occurred from the 2009-10 to 2010-11 academic years, at the height of the Great Recession. While these numbers are pretty grim, students and faculty may be even more dismayed to learn that Minnesota actually fared slightly worse in terms of tuition costs than the rest of the country during the same period of time. In-state tuition and required fees steadily increased by an annual average of 5.9 percent for full-time, first-time under-
graduate Minnesota students. This is only about 1 percent more than the national numbers, but it is still quite significant. Like all U.S. students, Minnesota students saw the largest spike in tuition in the academic years following the Great Recession at 7.9 percent. With that said, there is a silver lining to these numbers — for Minnesota students, anyway. State and local grants still manage to rise for in-state undergraduate students in Minnesota in the face of adversity. Although there were several years between 2005 and 2011 when in-state spending on grants did decrease drastically, all in all, grant spending for undergraduate students still increased annually by 6.9 percent on average. These numbers are noticeably better at the state level than they are at the national level, where grant spending only increased by 4.4 percent annually on average during the same period of time. So what can Minnesota students take away from all of this information?
DEATHS IN IRAQ: U.S. & COALITION TROOPS: 4,802 — IRAQI CIVILIANS: 114,566- PLUS DEATHS IN AFGHANISTAN: U.S. & COALITION TROOPS: 3,368 — AFGHAN CIVILIANS: UNKNOWN
Simply that while tuition is higher than ever — largely due to the spike during the late 2000s — the Minnesota government virtually subsidized tuition by increasing the amount of money they put toward state and local public grants. Although two-thirds of American students today are graduating with an average debt of more than $26,000, Minnesota students can take some pride in knowing that the Minnesota Legislature has at least made attempts to curb costs for its students. However, even they can only do so much. If the nation is to see better college affordability across the board, it might consider taking a leaf out of Minnesota’s book and funding grants instead of trying to cut funding like the GOP did when it slashed Pell Grant funding by $5.7 billion in 2011. The GOP must have seen a better use for that money in 2011; perhaps it was that $695.7 billion defense budget. Luis Ruuska welcomes comments at lruuska@mndaily.com.
STATE POLITICS
Minimum wage for legislators States should provide fair compensation for elected officials.
A
Maxwell Smith welcomes comments at msmith@mndaily.com.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Cedar-Riverside’s neighbors
In a Sept. 11 editorial entitled “Keep Riverside in mind,” the Editorial Board stated, “At best, students ignore the large community next door; at worst, they hurl cheap, sneering nicknames.” While we agree with your later sentiment that “Riverside Plaza’s legacy and ties to the University could be celebrated, not shrugged of f,” we disagree that students ignore the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. The Cedar-Humphrey Action for Neighborhood Collaborative Engagement, or CHANCE, is a student-led program operated through the University of Minnesota’s Center for Integrative Leadership. It exists to strengthen the interdependent relationship between CedarRiverside residents and business owners and the University. Since its inception in 2006, CHANCE has developed strong relationships with the University’s Cedar-Riverside neighbors and works in a variety of ways to encourage student involvement in the neighborhood, including after-school tutoring and planning neighborhood events. CHANCE members also sponsor an East African Neighbors series, par ticipate in Conversation Cir cles, volunteer in Cedar-Riverside, host monthly meetings in the neighborhood, lead tours of the West Bank and suppor t the neighborhood’s businesses through the Neighborhood Business
Fellows program. We i n v i t e a l l s t u dents to be involved with CHANCE. Cedar-Riverside is a vibrant and exciting neighborhood, and as University students, we are part of it. CHANCE
Cutting savings means reinvestment in the U
As an alumnus, current doctoral candidate and member of the Board of Regents, I have conversations almost ever y day with students, faculty and staf f who emphasize that Minnesota must have a strong public university that uses its limited resources wisely. The University of Minnesota is committed to achieving excellence in all that we do — including adoption of operational best practices that are driving more resources into activities that directly benefit students. From day one, University President Eric Kaler has par tnered with the Board of Regents to change the University’s operating culture. Administrative cost savings means reinvestment in the people and work that make our university great. This money will help fulfill our landgrant mission by improving education for students, holding down the cost of tuition, enhancing research to bolster state industries and maintaining our commitment
to outreach. In two years, the University has realized ongoing annual savings of $32 million, plus $2 million in one-time savings. This is a great star t, but we can’t stop there. From this foundation, we will cut $90 million in administrative costs by 2020. We a p p l a u d K a l e r ’ s leadership and ambitious plan to improve the Univ e r s i t y. To g e t h e r w i t h his administration, we will continue to work to ensure excellence and affordability at the state’s only public research landgrant university. Abdul M. Omari University Board of Regents
Supporting coach Kill
This is an appeal from an old alumnus for a great surge in student suppor t for head football coach Jerr y Kill. Kill is not only the best coach we have had for a long time; he is the first coach in a long time with a sincere interest in expanding the student fan base and the progress toward graduation for student-athletes. My wife and I will miss h omec omi n g t h i s yea r for the first time in more than 60 years. However, we will be watching the game and hope to see the entire end of the stadium filled with students in support of Kill. Paul B. Kelley University alumnus
cross the U.S., ever y state has some sor t of legislature. Although the n a m e s v a r y, they all achieve similar goals: RONALD DIXON crafting laws columnist that ser ve the respective states. Unfortunately, these elected officials are not all compensated at fair rates. Some states pay legislators exorbitant salaries, such as California ($95,291) and Pennsylvania ($83,802), while others hardly compensate at all, such as New Hampshire ($200 for a two-year term). Nothing should be done about those states that pay wages that far exceed living wages, but other states should use Minnesota as an example for providing fair compensation for their legislative public servants. Minnesota pays a wage of $31,140, plus per diem expenses; other states should adopt a minimum wage of approximately $30,000 to cover the area’s cost of living. There are many reasons these state-wide reforms should be implemented. First, it would increase the probability of middle- and lower-class Americans running for their legislative seats. When states pay lower wages, it only allows for wealthier residents to serve constituents. The rich already disproportionately represent the people, but by implementing this minimum wage, more members of the “99 percent” may serve in state legislatures. Also, it should increase the quality of public servants. From a business perspective, higher-paying jobs often attract more qualified candidates. Prospective legislators that know of the meager pay may not even attempt to run for office because they must feed their families, but this minimum wage could enable higher-quality pools of candidates. Finally, it would increase the incentive for state governments to implement full-time, professional legislators. By having state lawmakers put more time toward work, state governments would be more productive. George Washington famously refused to accept a salary but was ultimately compensated for his costs of living. This way the presidency was not only for the wealthy. States that pay non-livable wages to elected officials should follow the advice of our oldest executive. Ronald Dixon welcomes comments at rdixon@mndaily.com.
7
If the U is unwilling to make a full film program, it should extend more services to SCMC students.
T
he Minnesota Daily reported earlier this month that students and faculty are frustrated with the University of Minnesota’s lack of a tried-and-true film studies major and underserved by its closest equivalent, studies in cinema and media culture. SCMC students described a program that does little to build their technical skills. The major is also is scattered across many departments, often making coursework redundant. Faculty and staff members discussed failed attempts to create space for SCMC students and instructors to gather and study. Without a new depar tment or communal space, one student called the degree program “thrown together,” compared to Minneapolis Community and Technical College’s more robust film program. “You don’t need a new department to offer a new degree program,” College of Liberal Arts Associate Dean for Planning Gary Oehlert told the Daily. “We were able to offer [the SCMC program] by combining the resources we already had.” But the University’s aspiring filmmakers are discovering that’s not the case. CLA should reconsider setting up an editing station, screening rooms or other gathering space for students and instructors. Faculty within the cultural studies and comparative literature department should also work harder to make crossdepartmental SCMC coursework less redundant. Finally, the University could explore sharing resources with MCTC to give film students a better technical education. If the University can’t or won’t create a dedicated film program, it should at least take steps to better serve its 100 SCMC students.
The dangers of a CBS/CFANS merger The potential merger risks the distinctiveness and selectivity of both colleges.
I
n recent weeks, there has been speculation that the College of Biological Sciences and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences may be merging. The Minnesota Daily reported Sept. 4 that the University is considering combining the colleges as CBS Dean Robert Elde prepares to retire in June. Karen Hanson, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, has appointed a task force to investigate the possibility of creating a new college. “I will ask the task force to consider whether a new college devoted to agriculture, life sciences and the environment might consolidate the strengths of the University in ways that would advance our academic mission and our engagement with local and global communities,” Hanson said in a press release. There are serious implications for students enrolled in both CBS and CFANS, as undergraduates face the possibility of their colleges’ dissolution to make way for a new one. While CFANS and CBS enjoy similar life science focuses and share a portion of the St. Paul campus, it’s important to consider each college’s distinctive traditions and histories, as students may choose to enroll in CBS or CFANS for the selective majors and programs they offer. If the colleges are merged, they risk losing selectivity and the distinguishing factors that graduate and professional schools, as well as employers, have come to expect from these separate collegiate experiences at the University. The views of students in both colleges should be taken into special consideration, as the scope of their undergraduate opportunities and path to professional careers will be influenced by the quality and depth of instruction within their college. If CBS and CFANS are to merge, the pooling of resources should not be used as justification for reducing major specificity and departmental programs.
LETTERS AND GUEST COLUMNS
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 600 words in length. Readers may also submit guest columns. 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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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TONY WAGNER = EDITORIALS & OPINIONS EDITOR ERIC BEST = SENIOR EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER WILLIAM BORNHOFT = BOARD MEMBER CASSANDRA SUNDARAM
8
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Sports
@MNDAILYSPORTS
FOOTBALL
Cobb steps up in key role for Gophers David Cobb was a third-stringer at the start of the season, but he has emerged. BY NATE GOTLIEB ngotlieb@mndaily.com
Gophers running back David Cobb star ted the season as the third-stringer, but the team turned to him in a crucial situation Saturday against San Jose State. With the Gophers up 13-10 late in the second quar ter, Cobb was called on to carr y the ball on a four th-and-goal situation from the 1-yard line. Cobb, who was initially hit at the line of scrimmage, broke a tackle and dived into the end zone to give Minnesota a two-score lead. After a quiet start to his career as a Gopher, the junior from Killeen, Texas, has developed into one of the top r unning backs on the team. He leads the team with 332 r ushing yards through four games. “He came in with a great attitude during camp,” head coach Jerr y Kill said after the game. “He’s had to earn it. He’s had to work, so give the credit to him.” Cobb star ted the season behind both Donnell Kirkwood and Rodrick Williams Jr. on the depth chart. But since Kirkwood injured an ankle in week one, Cobb and Williams have seen a bulk of the car ries. The pair combined to rush for 342 yards and six touchdowns in week two and week three. Williams had 15 carries for 60 yards last Saturday, but Cobb had the hot hand. He ripped off a 35-yard run midway through the second quarter and had a 17-yard
Minnesota running back David Cobb runs in for a touchdown in the second half against Western Illinois on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.
r un early in the four th. Cobb finished with 25 carries for 125 yards — both career highs — and two touchdowns. Kill said having starting middle linebacker Damien W ilson on the team — Cobb’s first cousin — has been critical in Cobb’s improvement. The cousins grew up together in Mississippi and are roommates on campus. “When he does well, you want to do well, too,” Cobb
said. “Just having that family bond up here with me is always a good thing.”
Signs point to Leidner Kill indicated at his weekly press conference Tuesday that sophomore quar terback Philip Nelson won’t play Saturday against Iowa unless he is 100 percent healthy. Nelson injured his hamstring during the second quarter of the Gophers’ win over Western Illinois on Sept. 14. Kill said last Sat-
urday he would have only used Nelson in limited situations against SJSU — such as if Leidner lost his helmet and had to sit out a play. Kill said after the game Nelson was “80 percent r unning-wise.” On Tuesday, he said Nelson “seemed to be getting along pretty good.” “We’ll start out practice and see how things go,” Kill said. “We’re not going to change our style. … So he’s going to need to be 100 percent for us to give
VOLLEYBALL
Wilhite uses talent to crack lineup Sarah Wilhite was a decorated high school player out of Eden Prairie HS. BY MEGAN RYAN mryan@mndaily.com
Sarah W ilhite’s high school career was decorated, to say the least. The Eden Prairie High School and Nor ther n Lights Volleyball Club outside hitter was a high school All-American, Miss Volleyball, an all-state and all-metro team member,
and to top it all off she was named Minnesota’s 2011 Gatorade Player of the Year. But W ilhite, a freshman, has had to star t her college career with the Gophers with a somewhat clean slate. “It’s just a whole new level, I think,” W ilhite said. “It’s all the best people coming together on a team. It’s like 10 times higher in level than I thought it was going to be.” W ilhite has a lot of competition for any playing time at the outside hitter position and even more
for starting minutes. Senior Ashley Wittman and sophomore Daly Santana are well-established players for the Gophers, and there are four other options at outside hitter. Wilhite has played 34 of the 42 sets this season, star ting 10 of 12 matches. She is in competition with junior transfer Adrianna Nora. In a match against Dartmouth on Saturday in which many of the star ters rested, Wilhite led the team with 15 kills. Nora was hot on her heels with 14 kills. Nora averaged a better hitting percentage at .500 to Wilhite’s .333. Wilhite said with the amount of talent on the roster, there is a constant pressure to improve in practice. She said she doesn’t mind that pressure and said knowing she’s earned her spot makes it even sweeter.
“I’ve seriously, like, loved ever y bit of it,” Wilhite said. Freshman middle blocker Paige Tapp, Wilhite’s roommate, said Wilhite has adjusted well to Division I volleyball. “When she’s on your team, she helps ever yone become better,” Tapp said. Gophers head coach Hugh McCutcheon said Wilhite has nice range and the ability to hit to many dif ferent places on the cour t. McCutcheon said the coaching staff needs to work with her on generating more power behind her swings. “I would suspect it’s been a challenge [for her] to find out [she] has some inef ficiencies,” he said. “And cer tainly at this level, ever yone was pretty good in high school … so being a stud in high school isn’t enough to get it done.”
VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
VS NO. 9 MINNESOTA
INDIANA
6:30 p.m., Wednesday at Sports Pavilion
MINNESOTA: The Gophers volleyball team begins its Big Ten conference schedule against Indiana on Wednesday, hosting a midweek game. The team was picked to finish second in the Big Ten preseason poll. Minnesota closed out its nonconference schedule with a 12-1 record. It swept the Dartmouth Tournament on Friday and Saturday, beating Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Dartmouth in straight sets and Connecticut in four sets. Senior middle blocker Tori Dixon earned the conference’s weekly defensive player award for her performance on the weekend and nabbed an all-tournament selection in the process.
BRIDGET BENNETT, DAILY
Minnesota freshman outside hitter Sarah Wilhite bumps the ball against Duke on Sept. 7 at the Sports Pavilion.
INDIANA: The Hoosiers ended their nonconference schedule with an 8-3 record and are not on the same level as Minnesota. They weren’t picked to finish in the top six of the conference in the Big Ten preseason poll. Indiana participated in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge last weekend, losing in three sets to receiving votes Duke and in four sets to No. 14 North Carolina. SOURCE: GOPHERSPORTS.COM
him the green light.”
One large hog Senior safety Br ock Vereen was in for a surprise when he first lifted the Floyd of Rosedale, the 98-pound bronze pig awarded to the winner of the Minnesota-Iowa game each year. “I had no idea how heavy it was until it was too late,” he told reporters after Tuesday’s press conference. “I almost threw my back out.”
AMANDA SNYDER, DAILY
The Gophers have beaten Iowa twice during Vereen’s three full seasons on the team — both times at TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota will aim to reclaim the pig this weekend after it lost it in Iowa City, Iowa, last year. Vereen of fered this advice to whoever will lift the Floyd of Rosedale on Saturday. “You have to lift with your knees,” he said.
@dailyatthebank
ATHLETICS
Penn State penalties reduced by NCAA BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Penn State will gradually get back football scholarships taken away over the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal, the NCAA announced Tuesday, crediting the university for making significant improvements to its athletics programs. Five scholarships will be restored next year and 15 more will be phased in until the school reaches the limit of 85 in 2016-17, a season earlier than the school had agreed to, college sports’ governing body said. The NCAA said the unanimous decision by its executive committee was based on the recommendation of former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, who has been ser ving as Penn State’s athletics integrity monitor. “This action provides an oppor tunity to recognize Penn State’s significant momentum, while also providing additional opportunities for student-athletes,” said Wake Forest University president Nathan Hatch, chair of the NCAA’s Division I board of directors, which endorsed the decision. The penalties came amid heavy criticism of university leaders’ response to complaints about Sandusky. Penn State and the NCAA agreed to the penalties by entering into a consent decree more than a year ago, shortly after Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of sexual abuse. They also require the school to pay a $60 million fine and serve a four-year ban on postseason play. The NCAA also eliminated 112 wins by the football program. Penn State president Rodney Erickson called the res-
toration of scholarships particularly welcome news for student-athletes who want to attend Penn State. “As we promised throughout this process, we are committed to improving all our policies, procedures and actions,” Erickson said. The NCAA said it also may reduce the postseason play ban, depending on the university’s future progress. Mitchell said it was premature to say which other sanctions might be changed. “This was a positive response to positive action, and as to the future, we’ll have to make judgments in the future,” Mitchell told reporters in a conference call. He said the decision was particularly warranted by the actions of Erickson and other university leaders “in the face of considerable opposition within the Penn State community.” “Over time, their actions led to a circumstance where it became clear to me that their response was positive in the face of difficult circumstances,” Mitchell said. Mitchell said he recommended the restoration of scholarships, but the specific elements were decided by the NCAA and Big Ten Conference. “It is the mechanism most directly targeted to students, student-athletes,” Mitchell said. “I felt it was an appropriate place to provide the relief.” Earlier this month, Mitchell issued a report on the first year of his service as monitor, crediting Penn State for notable progress that included implementation of 119 recommendations made last summer by former FBI director Louis Freeh, who directed the school’s investigation into the scandal.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Classifieds
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EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
HELP WANTED GENERAL
HEALTH CARE
TEMPORARY/SEASONAL
Part-time Resident Advocate Work with 25 mentally ill adults in a boarding home setting. Provide observation of them taking their medications, a meal, a snack and assistance in resolving conflicts as they arise. Call 612 872-9035 to set up an interview. Email rest2shknp@gmail.com
2-3 immediate pt/time janitorial positions Trning and advncmnt opportunities 2-4 dys/wk,11:30 PM- 3:30 AM 763-441-4859 www.leadens.com, fill out applctn on contact us page
Activist? Work for social, economic, and environmental justice. Get PAID. Call MPIRG at 612-627-4035 Cashier & Stockperson Wanted Franklin/ Nicollet Liquors, PT and FT, Flexible Scheduling, Contact Chuck or Dave 612-871-1511.
HOUSING Lrge 4BR house, $1600, avail 9/1, ldry, A/C, water, furnished, short walk to U, off st prkg, 651-895-4436
3, 2 BR’s avail asap, A/C, ldry, secure, pkg, heat pd 612-237-6941 1503 8th SE. www.uofmhousing.com
HOUSING DINKYTOWN 3 Bed, avail. 10/1/13, upper unit in duplex, 1 car garage, coin wash/dry onsite, util. incl, $1300/month call Cindy at 763-355-4829
Events HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROMOTE IN THE DAILY? Submit your event to have it featured here for free. If you would like your event promoted here, go to mndaily.com/contact and fill out the provided form.
UPCOMING EVENTS WHAT: Art Fair WHO: University of Minnesota Bookstores WHEN: Noon–4 p.m., Wednesday WHERE: University of Minnesota Bookstore, Coffman Union, Minneapolis PRICE: Free Learn from the pros with in-store demonstrations from Golden, Strathmore, Montana, M. Graham and Sakura. Try before you buy, enjoy free samples, save up to 50 percent on featured products and enter to win great prizes.
WHAT: Meet author and journalist Deborah Yaffe WHO: University of Minnesota Bookstores WHEN: 4–5 p.m., Thursday WHERE: University of Minnesota Bookstore, Coffman Union, Minneapolis PRICE: Free Author and journalist Deborah Yaffe will discuss her book “Among The Janeites: A Journey Through the World of Jane Austen Fandom.” “Among The Janeites” offers a look into the fascinating world of this fandom as 2013 marks Pride and Prejudice’s 200th year of publication.
WHAT: Homecoming 2013: Parade WHO: Student Unions and Activities WHEN: 7–8:30 p.m., Friday WHERE: University Avenue, East Bank, Minneapolis PRICE: Free Take part in the University’s longest-standing Homecoming tradition! Find a spot along the street, or watch the parade from the Family Viewing Area located on University Avenue in the Cooke Hall semicircle. The Family Viewing Area will feature bleachers for parade viewing, on-site restrooms; and free face painting, balloon animals, games and giveaways will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Featured Student Groups HAVE A STUDENT GROUP YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROMOTE IN THE DAILY? The Minnesota Daily promotes student groups here for free. If you would like your student group featured, email abertelson@mndaily.com with contact person, contact phone, contact email, student group name, group description, and a photo if possible (limit 250 characters). Don’t have a photo? Contact us in advance to take your group photo.
The Minnesota Daily Classifieds page is a service for student groups. Student groups can promote themselves for free in the featured section. Featured student groups run for one week and are published on a rolling submission basis. This page is independent from the Minnesota Daily’s editorial content and is operated by the advertising staff. Group submissions are subject to approval by the Publisher for wording, illustrations and typography. Any content that attacks, criticizes or demeans any individual, race, religion, sex, institution, firm, business, profession, organization or affectional preference shall not be accepted.
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Wednesday, September 25, 2013
BACKTALK sudoku
horoscopes
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. Visit mndaily.com to see the solution to today’s puzzle.
9/25/13
Yesterday’s solution © 2013 Michael Mepham. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
Today’s Birthday (9/25): Broaden your education this year. Whether through formalized study or personal experience, immerse yourself in new cultures and enthusiasms. Re-assess your priorities as you plan adventures.
To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Written By Linda C. Black
Aries (3/21 - 4/19): Today is a 6 — Others help you advance. A private connection proves valuable. Money burns holes in your pockets. First things first. Set long-range goals.
Libra (9/23 - 10/22): Today is a 7 — You get a bright idea about work, and it meets an urgent need. Your excitement is contagious. Prepare to use what you’ve learned to pay the bills.
Taurus (4/20 - 5/20): Today is an 8 — A friend solves your problem by encouraging you to try alternatives you hadn’t previously considered. Relax with something delicious and refreshing.
Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21): Today is a 6 — Relax before a new endeavor. Scrub-a-dub-dub! Sudden inspiration excites your creative efforts. Re-arrange the furniture.
Gemini (5/21 - 6/21): Today is an 8 — Success! Don’t hide or diminish it. Accept offered benefits. You put in the necessary effort. Keep your promises to an elder.
Sagittarius (11/22 - 12/21): Today is a 7 — Buy a household item you’ve been needing. Find just the right place for it, but first, make sure it’ll work. You’ve earned it. Family shares joy.
Cancer (6/22 - 7/22): Today is a 6 — Delegate to perfectionists for a job well done. New contacts lead to opportunities. Ease into new responsibilities. Let intuition be your guide.
Capricorn (12/22 - 1/19): Today is an 8 — Luck fluctuates wildly. Hit pay dirt. Keep a lid on spending, though. You’ll see how to use what you’ve recently learned. Provide motivation.
Leo (7/23 - 8/22): Today is a 6 — Financial opportunity knocks. Accept a gift. Count your labor as money saved. Work harder to protect your investments. Flex your mind.
Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18): Today is a 6 — Discover hidden treasure, or call in a debt that’s owed to you. You can find a use for the extra money. Send someone else ahead.
Virgo (8/23 - 9/22): Today is a 6 — Apply what you’ve recently learned to your work. Act quickly. Accept assistance. Come up with a new idea. Costs are higher than anticipated.
Pisces (2/19 - 3/20): Today is a 6 — Try something new. You gain an insight. Others ask your advice. Your friends now believe you can do just about anything. This will be fun.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
overheard Girl 1: “If there’s a cat in a box, how do you know if it’s dead?” Girl 2: “Smell?” ... Girl 1: “If a tree falls on a cat in a box in the forest, does it die?”
—Campus Connector
Guy 1: “I use the Internet to wake me up in the morning, and a certain music video packs a potent online caffeine punch.” Guy 2: “Which video is that?” Guy 1: “The Fox.”
—17th Avenue residence hall
Guy: “Something is wrong with me? I might have ADHD and need medication.”
—East Bank
“Watch me be cliché and take out my MacBook.”
—Coffman Union
“I went to a family reunion, and my daughter was very proud to announce that she is a hooker ... in rugby!”
—Unknown
“I hate Kanye West solely for the shape of his jaw.”
—Middlebrook Hall
Student: “Hey, have you seen a dog around here? My roommate left the door open.” CA: “You have a dog in your room?!” *Student walks away* CA: “Hey, get back here!”
—Frontier Hall
“I’m all for individuality, but Miley Cyrus is the worst kind of ratchet.”
—Coffman Union
“I decided to save a tree. Well, maybe a branch. A very little branch. I’m not very frugal. I don’t know why I’m doing this.”
—Molecular and Cellular Biology
Student to teacher: “So, like, are the homework and the quiz, like, two different things? Do we, like, have to do both?”
—Appleby Hall class
Instructor: “I say this in most of my classes: You are going to die.”
—Unknown
Teacher: “You know what they say about love and war?” Student: “Yeah, one involves pain and misery and the other is war.”
—Unknown
*Guy looks through the trays at ChickFil-A to find one without water on it* Chick-Fil-A employee: “It’s just water, honey.” Guy: “I know, but I just have a thing about that kind of stuff.” Chick-Fil-A employee: “Oh, you got a fetish. That’s okay.” Guy: “Yeah ... well, no. I wouldn’t use that word.”
—Coffman Union
What did you overhear? 4Post submissions on the “Overheard at U of M” Facebook group. 4Visit mndaily.com and look for the “Connect with the Daily” box on the homepage. 4Email submissions to overheards@mndaily.com.
crossword
FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
ACROSS 1 Pizza Quick sauce brand 5 Boxer’s weapon 9 Frankly declare 13 Parade instrument 14 “The Andy Griffith Show” tyke 15 Olin of “The Reader” 16 Cheers for a torero 17 Like a blue moon 18 Overcast, in London 19 Animation pioneer 22 Too scrupulous for 24 Peasant dress 27 Warren Harding’s successor 32 Jacuzzi effect 33 50+ group 34 Score after deuce 35 Line on a map 37 1999, 2000 and 2001 Best Actor nominee (he won once) 43 Japanese fish dish 44 Battery post 46 “Dear” one? 47 __ qua non 51 Duds 52 Cry of pain 53 Eat too much of, briefly 54 Poems of praise 55 Company’s main activity, and a hint to a different three-letter abbreviation hidden in 19-, 27- and 37Across 58 Coyote’s coat 59 Bridge player’s blunder 60 Work on a garden row 62 Garden pest 63 Low points on graphs 64 Benelux locale: Abbr. 65 Billboard fillers 66 Lacking a musical key 67 Souse’s woe
9/25/13
By Mangesh “Mumbaikar” Ghogre
DOWN 1 Frat letter 2 Longtime ISP 3 Got tiresome 4 Not in the know 5 Old West defense 6 High-tech release of 2010 7 Voice-activated app for 6-Down 8 Football supporters 9 African country that was a French colony 10 “Well, that’s weird” 11 With 12-Down, sign with an arrow 12 See 11-Down 20 Island ring 21 Patriots’ org. 22 Serving success 23 Horrible 25 Modern film effects, briefly 26 Understanding 28 __ the Great: boy detective 29 Rob Reiner’s dad 30 Hershiser of ESPN
Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved
(c)2013 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
31 Oil bloc 35 FICA benefit 36 La-la lead-in 37 Ruddy, as a complexion 38 Places to plug in mice 39 More reserved 40 En pointe 41 Place to store cords 42 Beats by a whisker 43 For instance
9/25/13
45 Slalom curve 47 “Fine” 48 Words accompanying a shrug 49 Like much metered parking 50 Head-scratcher 56 Columnist Bombeck 57 Country singer McCoy 58 SFO overseer 61 Hesitant sounds
Visit mndaily.com to see the solution to today’s puzzle.
dr. date Dr. Date,
My boyfriend and I broke up a few months ago. Last week, he started dating someone new (I found out via Facebook, of course). I didn’t think I’d feel as upset as I do. I can’t tell if I wish I was also dating someone, or that he wasn’t dating someone, or both. I know there’s not anything I can do, and I want to be happy for him. Ideas?
—The Single One
Detective Ex,
You’re not alone. Scores of heartbroken beings lurk on their ex-lovers’ Facebook pages into late hours of the night, as if they’ll be able to change the course of events by cosmic force. Facebook doesn’t say anything about the quality of his new relationship or about how he’s handling your breakup. And, as harsh as it sounds, it doesn’t do you any good to keep tabs on your ex’s life anyway. I know dealing with a breakup is easier said than done, but the quicker you let go, the quicker you’ll move on. You’ll never get over him if you’re keeping constant watch. Step one is to block him from your Facebook. Step two is to block his number. Step three is to avoid his old hangout spots. For a while, it’s going to feel like ripping off a full-body Band-Aid — but at least healed skin lies beneath it. —Dr. Date
Dr. Date,
The guy I’m dating is great, but our sex life is — how can I put this? — basic. It’s not usually bad, but it’s also never great. It’s just OK. One disclaimer: He’s the only person I’ve ever had sex with, so it’s occurred to me that this is just how sex is supposed to be. Is that possible? Or do we not have chemistry? —Bored
Vanilla Ice,
Sex is what you and your partner put into it. If you’re bored, it’s going to be boring. If you’re as sexually charged as Pikachu’s electric ball, it’s gonna start fires. I can’t say whether you have chemistry, since I’ve never creeped on y’all while you do the do — that’s your call. Does he turn you on from afar? Do you enjoy kissing him? Or are you just dating because it’s convenient? Honestly, sex in itself isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. If there’s no passion, you can expect to achieve the same feeling with a dildo. If you want sex to be more exciting, you’ve gotta get excited! And if that doesn’t heat things up, it’s time to reassess the relationship. The dude may just be a dud. —Dr.Date
Need relationship advice? Email Dr. Date at drdate@mndaily.com.
11
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Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Candidates talk issues, student advice Leading up to the Nov. 5 election, the Minnesota Daily will be running a seven-week series that profiles Minneapolis mayoral candidates who are looking to follow in Mayor R.T. Rybak’s footsteps.
Merrill Anderson
Mark Andrew
Jackie Cherryhomes
Betsy Hodges
Stephanie Woodruff
Qualifications: Attended Augsburg College without completing a degree, received a Chinese certification from the U.S. Army’s Defense Language Institute, was a former management systems analyst for Honeywell, is a military veteran and community organizer.
Qualifications: B.A. in communications studies from the University of Minnesota, former editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Daily, former Hennepin County Commissioner, former chair of the Minnesota DFL party, founder of Greenmark — a company that partners with large-scale buildings to increase environmental sustainability.
Qualifications: B.A. in political science and English from Augsburg College, completed the Reflective Leadership Program at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, president of political consulting firm Cherryhomes-Tyler, Inc., former president of the Minneapolis City Council (1994-2002).
Qualifications: B.S. in psychology and sociology from Bryn Mawr College, M.S. in sociology from the University of WisconsinMadison, former development director for the Minnesota Justice Foundation, current Minneapolis City Councilwoman for Ward 13.
Qualifications: B.S.B.A. Background: B.S.B.A. in accounting from Drake University, chief revenue officer of the software company AverQ, current Vice-Chair of the Minneapolis Audit Committee.
Party: Independent
Party: “Democratic-Farmer-Labor”
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Major Principle: Jobs and Justice
Major Principle: Progressive, Green, Justice
Major Principle: Opportunity for everyone
Major Principle: Kids, Progress, Equality
Major Principle: People over politics
Key initiatives: Organize businesses to work together to create jobs. Rebuild the city’s police department with additional staff and better community relations.
Key initiatives: Install solar panels on all of the city’s school and park buildings. Work with residents to close the achievement gap.
Key initiatives: Reinstitute communityoriented policing. Facilitate affordable housing and economic growth by creating revolving loan funds distributed by the city.
Key initiatives: Partner with schools to help students prepare for the modern workforce. Improve the bus system and create a streetcar service.
Key initiatives: Ensure sustainable economy to make our communities more livable. Develop “Learning Labs” in collaboration with the city’s parks to provide extracurricular education for children.
What would you say to students at the University? “What I want to do is get that guy who preferred to get his hands dirty up on the same level as the academician so they can look each other in the eye and come up with joint solutions for universal problems.”
What would you say to students at the University? “[The University] is an incubator for going any place you want to go.”
What would you say to students at the University? “Take this time to enjoy what you’re doing. Learn how to learn, and don’t worry about what job you’re going to have after you graduate.”
What would you say to students at the University? “I am glad that University students are at the table helping make decisions about where we grow as a city.”
What would you say to students at the University? “I think the young crowd is very active and I would encourage them to continue to be active. I would encourage them to continue to push our public officials for fresh ideas and out of the box thinking.”
Kenyan president declares victory in mall siege BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NAIROBI, Kenya — “Just seeing dead bodies,” Kenya prepared for the gruesome task of recovering dozens more victims than initially feared after its president declared an end Tuesday to the four-day siege of a Nairobi mall by al-Qaida-linked terrorists. Officials said the death count could jump by another 60 or more. “We have ashamed and defeated our attackers,” President Uhuru Kenyatta said in a televised address to the nation that was delayed for hours as gunbattles persisted at the upscale Westgate mall. “Kenya has stared down evil and triumphed.” Despite Kenyatta’s declaration, troops remained deployed at the vast complex, and security of ficials told The Associated Press attackers with weapons or booby traps might still be inside. A plan to remove bodies was aborted because of continued skirmishes inside the mall, where three floors had collapsed. Describing the victims as “innocent, harmless civilians” of “various nationalities, races, ethnic, cultural, religious and other walks of life,” a solemn-looking Kenyatta reported the known death toll: at least 61 civilians, along with six security forces and five al-Shabab militants. About 175 people were injured, including 62 who remain hospitalized, he said, acknowledging that “several” bodies remained trapped in the r ubble, including those of terrorists. However, another government official said a far higher toll was feared and morgue workers were preparing to receive up to 60 more bodies. A Western embassy of ficial said the number of additional dead could go as high as 100. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss information not publicly disclosed. “They’re just seeing dead bodies. They’ve found no sur vivors, no live hostages,” said a Nairobi resident whose brother was taking part in the militar y sweep inside the mall. Kenyatta said 11 suspects had been arrested; authorities previously announced that seven had been taken into custody at the airport and three elsewhere.