`Fight for our rights` - Minnesota State University Moorhead

Transcription

`Fight for our rights` - Minnesota State University Moorhead
Advocate
Professors show-off in
‘Jekyll & hyde,’ page 3
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The
online at msumadvocate.com
MSUM’s weekly student newspaper
Moorhead, Minn.
Vol. 42 Issue 2
Faculty take advantage of low enrollment
BY KRISTIN KIRTZ
kirtzkr@mnstate.edu
A new school year brings a plethora of
new opportunities as well as challenges.
This year as MSUM sees a decrease
in enrollment, staff is looking to this
challenge as an opportunity.
Diane Solinger, the vice president for
enrollment management, said although the
enrollment is lower than last year – about
5.9 percent – a lot of factors play into that
data. Compared to last year, MSUM’s
freshmen enrollment has stayed about the
West Nile
threats loom
same, the number of international students
has risen and transfer student enrollment
is up about 7 percent. It’s the number of
returning students that has dropped.
“We had roughly 200 more students
graduate in the spring compared to the
previous year,” Solinger said. “A lot of
the reason why we have less returning
students this fall is because we had so
many graduate.”
Solinger explained that the numbers
from this year are from the first day of
classes and a second count of enrolled
students will be administered sometime
after the tenth day of classes. A rise in
numbers is expected.
The decrease in enrollment is an
opportunity to understand why some
students have left, and this will hopefully
prevent more from leaving in the future.
MSUM recently bought a new computer
program called Map Works, that allows
administration to track retention of students
by providing a view of what’s really going
on with a student through different aspects
of their college life. These aspects include:
the student’s adviser, whether they live on
campus and if they are a student athlete.
The hope is that this program will not only
allow administration to figure out why
students decide to leave but to hopefully
intervene and help the student.
“I think students leave for a lot of different
reasons,” Solinger said. “Sometimes it’s
financial, sometimes it’s because a student
is really homesick, sometimes it’s because
a student figures out what they really want
to do and we don’t have that program.
It could be that some students don’t feel
ENROLLMENT, BACK PAGE
Public Safety Campus mall construction stirs curiosity
investigates
stolen gas
BY JASMINE MAKI
makija@mnstate.edu
BY KAYLA VAN EPS
vanepskay@mnstate.edu
Residents of the land of
10,000 lakes are all too well
aware of mosquitoes. So well,
in fact, that some affectionately
and cynically refer to them as
the “Minnesota state bird.”
Unfortunately, these tiny
insects can carry many types
of disease that pack a punch far
greater than the itchy, erasersized bump they leave behind.
One of the mosquito-carried
diseases that has been on the
rise in the Midwest is the West
Nile virus.
Since it’s arrival in New
York in 1999, West Nile has
rapidly spread across the county
infecting more than 30,000
people, according to the Center
for Disease Control.
As of 2012, 48 states have
reported cases of West Nile
infections in humans, birds, and
mosquitoes. A total of 1,590
cases of West Nile virus have
been reported to the CDC this
year, including 65 deaths.
What is West Nile?
“West Nile is a virus,” said
Carol Grimm, the director of
health and wellness at Hendrix
Health Center. “Because it is a
virus, it cannot be treated with
antibiotics.”
Grimm said the symptoms of
west nile are similar to a bad
cold or the common flu, and that
WEST NILE, BACK PAGE
Inside The Advocate
Briefs.....................2
A&E.........................3
Features..............4,5
Opinion.................6
Sports & Health......7
News......................8
Gas has been siphoned from
several vehicles on campus.
Eight or nine vehicles appearing
to be tampered with were found
with gas doors open and caps
removed Friday morning in Lot
G-11, said Greg Lemke, director of
Public Safety.
After an email was sent Friday
afternoon informing all students of
the thefts, Public Safety received
about half a dozen more reports of
gas thefts on and around campus,
including one in which a car’s gas
line was cut.
Lemke said the thefts started
about two weeks ago when 70
gallons of gas were siphoned from
a contractor’s vehicles parked on
campus.
Public Safety officers have
reviewed the security footage and
have found four subjects fleeing the
scene but could not identify them or
their vehicles.
“We have a lot of cameras on
campus,” Lemke said. “We may put
more workers on over-nights, but
we rely on students to call Public
Safety.”
Lemke attributes the thefts to the
high prices of gas, but others don’t
see the correlation.
Jason Hicks, deputy for
Moorhead police department, said
he hasn’t dealt with any gas thefts in
Moorhead lately, but Glyndon has
seen a lot of drive-offs.
“I haven’t seen any (gas thefts),”
said Mike Cline, Glyndon police
chief. “I get about a hundred driveoffs a year, but I don’t think there’s
any correlation with gas prices.”
Lemke advises students and
faculty members to park under
lights or in well-lit areas and to be
aware of any suspicious activity in
the parking lots.
Anyone
with
additional
information about the gas
thefts, contact Public Safety at
218.477.2449.
Dragon football
kicks-off, page 7
JESSICA FLEMING • flemingjes@mnstate.edu
An uncompleted construction project in the middle of the campus mall has been stirring students’ and faculty members’
curiosity since classes began last Monday. See the back page for students’ thoughts and the truth about the construction.
‘Fight for our rights’
Student Senate urges students to vote
BY MEREDITH WATHNE
wathme@mnstate.edu
With the election coming up on
Nov. 6, students are urged to make
their voices heard and hit the polls.
The Student Senate is actively
campaigning for students to take
action, and has already successfully
registered more than 250 students
to vote.
“It’s their civic duty,” Student
Senate President Russell Ferguson
said. “It might not seem like it
makes a difference at the federal
level, but locally is makes a big
difference.”
The big issue that Student
Senate is advocating this election is
student tuition. In the last decade,
tuition has more than doubled at
MSUM, forcing many students
to rethink the college decision.
Funding from the state, which
used to sit around 60 percent, has
declined to 39.1 percent over the
last 10 years.
“We have been losing funding
every year. We need to say
something and fight for ourselves,”
Ferguson said.
An example for “fighting
for ourselves” is before school
started this fall, Ferguson and
other members of the Student
Senate went door-to-door
surrounding the campus hanging
up door hangers. The hangers
gave tips on how college students
can be good neighbors, and on
the reverse side how residents
can be good neighbors to the
college kids next door.
“We need to fight for our
rights, but we still have to be
good people,” Ferguson said.
Those eligible to vote in the
election are Minnesota residents.
However, those who have lived
in Minnesota for 20 days or
more, are considered Minnesota
residents and can participate in
the election. This year the CMU
will be offering a new polling
location to those students living
on campus.
MSUM’s chapter of the
Minnesota State University
Student Association has been
working to keep tuition prices
from hiking and lower the cost
of textbooks. Although they are
separate entities, MSUSA and
VOTER REGISTRATION, BACK PAGE
Get involved, page 4
The Advocate | Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 | Page 3
A&E
MSUM Professors display their talents in ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ musical
BY APRIL KNUTSON
knutsonap@mnstate.edu
In its sixth season, the Musical
Theater
of
Fargo-Moorhead
presents “Jekyll and Hyde,”
featuring the talents of a few
MSUM professors.
Opening Thursday, Sept. 6 at
7:30 p.m., the show is set to run
through next Sunday. The show
dates are Sept. 6-8 and 13-15 at
7:30 p.m., and Sept. 9 and 16 at 2
p.m.
“‘Jekyll & Hyde” is a familiar
story with contemporary music.
Students can enjoy seeing the story
of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ brought to life
using all the elements of musical
theater,” said MSUM music
professor Julie Adams, who is the
production’s musical director.
Unlike the usual lighthearted
musical comedies, this show brings
to life Robert Louis Stevenson’s
classic gothic novel with song and
dance.
“Jekyll and Hyde” grabs the
audience’s attention right away
as it opens in a late 19th century
insane asylum. The inspiration
for Dr. Jekyll’s quest is presented
as the audience meets his father,
once a great man, now suffering
in madness. Dr. Jekyll risks
everything as he seeks a solution
to reversing the sinful desires
within, transforming him into the
atrocious Mr. Hyde.
“It is murder, mayhem and sex.
It has a wide appeal as it is dark,
gritty and fast-paced,” MSUM
theater arts professor Craig
Ellingson said.
Ellingson stars as the characters
of the kind Dr. Jekyll and the
power-hungry Mr. Hyde.
“It is always vulnerable to let
your students see you perform
but allows me to put my theories
into practice,” Ellingson said.
This semester, Ellingson has
the opportunity to pass along
his knowledge in the classes
movement for the actor, principles
of choreography, acting styles:
musical theatre and advancing
directing.
Kimberly Miller, who works in
the MSUM theater costume shop,
directs “Jekyll and Hyde.”
“This production is very relevant
to current events. It portrays the
struggle between upper class and
the lower class. Today, we are
questioning the same issues with
99 vs. 1 percent debate,” Miller
said.
As Dr. Jekyll’s sickness
progresses,
the
differences
between his outward appearance
and his inner disease is magnified
and mirrored in his friends and
acquaintances.
“This production displays an
important message, that everyone
is not what they seem,” Miller
said.
Like Miller, Ellingson also finds
a strong meaning in the show.
“Students can take away the
lesson of Dr. Jekyll and look at the
facades they put up in everyday
life,” Ellignson said.
All performances will take place
at The Stage at Island Park, 333
4th St. S., Fargo.
For ticket information, visit
musictheatrefm.com or call The
tage box office at 701.235.6778.
Submitted by musictheatrefm.com
Student and musician: Q&A
Submitted photo
Anthony Howe (drummer), Tanner Leier (guitar) Josh Haider
(vocals), Will Holien (guitar), and Tyler Wolf (bass) started If I ran the Zoo three
years ago.
SARAH TYRE
tyresa@mnstate.edu
Tyler Wolf is not only a graphic
communications student at MSUM,
he is also the bassist of If I Ran the
Zoo, a metalcore/hardrock group in
the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Drummer Anthony Howe,
co-founder of the band is also a
student at MSUM, studying human
evolution.
Q: How do you feel about the
Fargo-Moorhead music scene?
A: The Fargo-Moorhead scene is
great. There are more than a few
Fargo bands who have made a big
name for themselves already, like
The Suit. It’s great having them as
friends in the same town. Which
makes getting involved really easy.
Just make some friends. It seems
like every other day there’s a new
band starting up and playing shows.
The Fargo-Moorhead music scene is
constantly changing. It’s definitely
not as strong as some other areas,
and there are some things as a band
we don’t particularly agree with
here. But other than that, it’s good,
and it’s good to be a part of.
Q: What does metalcore/hard
rock mean to you?
A: It’s similar to heavy metal, but in
most cases, it is a lot more technical.
Hard rock is just a genre we like to
live by.
a genre I had never been around
before, and I ended up really
enjoying it.
Q: What is your favorite venue to
perform?
A: So far I think we can all agree
our favorite venue that we’ve
played at is The Hub/Venue right
here in Fargo. But, we also enjoy
The Garage in Burnsville, and
Station 4 in St. Paul, Minn.
Q: If you could make your own
personal hall of fame what artists
would for sure be in it?
A: We take influence from Four
Year Strong, A Day To Remember,
The Devil Wears Prada and New
Found Glory. But to us, a good song
is a good song, we take influence
from anything that we like, and
anything that sounds good to us.
Q: What kind of experience can
audience members expect at an If
I Ran the Zoo show?
A: The audience can expect a
high energy show. We do our best
at every show to be as fun, and as
energetic on stage as possible.
Q: What is one music memory
you are fond of?
A: Performing at the 2011 and 2012
Sonshine Festival in Willmar, Minn.
Q: What first interested you in
that type of music?
Q: If you could describe your
musical style in three words what
would they be?
A: Speaking for myself, it was just
A: Rock and Roll.
TYGA
w/ Kirko Bangz, Sterling Simms & Jinsu
Tuesday, Sept. 11
The Venue @ The Hub
6pm Doors • All Ages
Premier Suites and
Couches Available!
ATMOSPHERE
STATIC-X
Saturday, Sept. 8
The Venue @ The Hub
6pm Doors • All Ages
Saturday, Sept. 22
The Venue @ The Hub
6:30pm Doors • All Ages
w/ I Self Devine & Carnage
w/ Emmure & Ill Nino
BLUES, BREWS & BBQs
SEPT. 13TH - THE JOHNNY HOLM BAND & More!
Sept. 14th - Lamont Cranston Band, Moody River Band & More!
Sept. 15th - ND BBQ Championship, Popa Chubby & More!
Outdoors @ The Hub
ONLY
All Ages · For details visit NDBBQ.COM
$5
KYLE KINANE
BASSNECTAR
Friday, Oct. 12
The Stage @ Island Park
7pm Doors • Mature
Friday, Nov. 2
The Venue @ The Hub
7pm Doors • All Ages
DROPKICK
MURPHYS
TRAMPLED BY
TURTLES w/ Lucy Michelle &
As seen on Conan & Comedy Central
Saturday, Nov. 3
The Venue @ The Hub
7pm Doors • All Ages
w/ Gramatik & Gladkill
the Velvet Lapelles and Hacksaw Sweeter
Wednesday, Nov. 7
The Venue @ The Hub
6pm Doors • All Ages
HALEY BONAR • Saturday, Sept. 15 • All Ages • Studio 222
MASON JENNINGS • Saturday, Sept. 22 • All Ages • Empire Arts Center, Grand Forks
MARTIN SEXTON • Sunday, Sept. 30 • All Ages • The Stage @ Island Park
Tickets for all shows are available at
(located at 300 Broadway; open
Monday-Friday 12-6PM), by phone (866) 300-8300 & online at:
Page 4 | Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 | The Advocate
The Advocate | Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 | Page 5
Clubs, activities give students ‘fresh’ experience
By DANIELLE REBEL
rebelda@mnstate.edu
As another school year begins,
time tends to pass in a blur of
textbooks and lecture notes.
That’s why organizations across
campus are urging students to
get involved because, let’s face
it, too much studying never did
anyone any good.
Whether it is volunteering
during down time or simply
going to on-campus events,
students can de-stress, form
healthy relationships and have
a memorable experience all
by getting involved within the
campus community.
“You can do a lot more besides
studying in school,” said Ayushi
Rimal, a graduate assistant for
Dragons After Dark.
MSUM caters to a wide variety
of interests with academic,
social, leadership and athletic
clubs.
Rimal, who is studying
education and leadership, says
that no student can have a full
college experience by simply
going to class. Organizations like
After Dark and Friday Nights
hold weekly events to give all
students, especially those who
do not have the ability to leave
campus, a “fresh” experience.
“The main theme of After
Dark is to promote healthy social
relationships around campus and
to reduce high risk behaviors
by bringing people together in
the school community,” said
After Dark graduate assistant
Nancy Githii, who is studying
counseling and student affairs.
Like After Dark, Students
Today Leaders Forever is another
organization that encourages
relationships among its members
and with those in the community,
though in a different way. By
volunteering on campus and
around the Fargo-Moorhead area
as well as across the country,
students are able to “pay it
forward” and ask others to do the
same.
“It’s great to be around people
that you can relate to — who
want to make a difference,” said
Kari Stenger, junior business
finance major.
Stenger is a chapter core
leader — one of four students
who are in charge of running
the MSUM chapter of STLF.
From decorating bras for Bras on
Broadway to holding a kindness
rally on campus, students are
continually giving back.
“I think it’s very important
to show our community that
we care about them, that we’re
not just college students here,”
Stenger said.
Students can make a difference
on a larger scale by participating
in STLF’s spring break Pay
It Forward tour. For 10 days,
students travel across the country
by bus, doing service projects
in various cities along the way
to their final destination, which
involves a large service project.
Last year the chapter went to
Washington, D.C.
“You see so many different
problems out there, and just
actually doing something about
it while going to school … is
going to help you in the future,”
Stenger said.
Those who have participated
on campus in any way know how
much doing so can positively
influence the college experience.
It could be creating new
friendships or merely getting
away from the books for a while.
Whatever it is, there are always
opportunities to undertake new
adventures by getting involved
with student organizations on
campus.
Features
Fit Republic offers guilt-free way to enjoy shakes
by Megan Havig
havigme@mnstate.edu
Weight management. Workout
recovery. Strength building.
Trending phrases such as these
lined the wall as I stood inside
Moorhead’s newest health-shake
business. Electronic dance music
filled the high-ceiling room.
Against a gray wall to my left
hung four brightly colored menu
boards containing the 84 flavors
of health shakes. With flavors
like pumpkin pie, blueberry
muffin and peanut butter and
jelly, I was curious to see what
the health benefits to the shakes
actually were.
I walked up to the bar counter
and filled out an information card.
For a fee of $6.43 one receives an
aloe shot, a tea and a shake of
choice. Because it is considered a
nutrition club, customers must fill
out a one-time information card
and pay the “daily membership
fee” or the price I paid for the
three products.
Shannon Novak, one of the
three business partners that run
Fit Republic, explained the shake
as a low-calorie, protein-packed
substitute to eating an actual meal.
“Whatever your craving is, you
can still enjoy it here,” Novak said.
“My six-year-old would rather
have this than Dairy Queen.”
After taking my mango aloe
shot, which I enjoyed, I ordered
an iced lemon tea and a vanilla
almond java jolt shake. The tea,
which can be ordered hot or iced,
contains green tea extract and
according to Novak, can help one
burn up to 120 calories. Though I
don’t know the results on my body,
I thought it was really refreshing.
The shake had great flavor and
was dense and gritty due to the
protein. I enjoyed the shake but
couldn’t finish it because I was so
full.
Anyone looking to try a shake
can find Fit Republic at 21 Fourth
St. S., Moorhead.
JESSICA FLEMING • flemingjes@mnstate.edu
Fit Republic, 21 Fourth St. S., Moorhead, is an upbeat environment to enjoy a healthy shake or aloe shot.
Submitted photo
At last year’s Just Glow with it and Dance event, organized by After Dark and the Wellness Center,
students participated in Zumba, rock wall, dancing and other activities centered around getting active.
HAVE SCHOOL
LOANS?
AmeriCorps Members
at the YMCA earn a
$2,775.00
education award after
a year of service!
Also receive a monthly stipend!
Positions: Healthy Living Coach, Mentor
& Homework Club Supervisor
Learn More & Apply at:
ymcacassclay.org/americorps
Submitted photo
Students Sara LeGare, Ferny Zamora and Meghan Dau shovel sand at the Washington Park Zoo
in Michigan City, Ind. on the 2012 Students Today Leaders Forever Pay It Forward tour.
For a complete list of student organizations, go to mnstate.edu/osa and
click on “Student Organizations.”
To see a schedule of all campus meetings and events, go to
schedule.mnstate.edu/mastercalendar/MasterCalendar.aspx#.
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Ruth Lumb, professor of
business, understands the value of
maintaining connections.
This summer, Lumb was
invited as a distinguished guest
to Chongqing Technology and
Business University in Chongqing,
China, for its 60th anniversary
celebration.
“Like most Chinese celebrations,
there were a lot of dignitaries and
speeches, a lot of food and a lot of
fireworks,” Lumb said. “It was a
humbling experience.”
But this wasn’t Lumb’s first trip
to the university. She first developed
a connection in 1989 when she was
invited as the first foreign visitor to
the university.
CTBU was just starting to
develop a school of business and
Lumb was there to help.
“One of my tasks was to teach
marketing,
management
and
business in general to the professors
because this was getting into a new
area,” Lumb said. “And another
task was to work with the vicepresident and president to help set
up a curriculum for business.”
The university has since
expanded its school of business and
made changes to the curriculum,
but Lumb remains connected.
“I also later brought the first
international and foreign students
to campus,” she added. “I go back
every year and visit.”
Lumb’s connections to the
university have not only been
beneficial for her, but have also
provided many opportunities for
MSUM students in the school of
business.
Almost every year, Lumb and
other faculty members take students
Ruth Lumb
on a three-and-a-half to four week
China business trip. One of the
main places they visit and interact
with other students during the trip
is at CTBU.
Many of the students develop
connections and stay in contact with
Chinese students long after the trip.
“We also now have an exchange
agreement with CTBU, so any
student from MSUM that would be
interested in spending a semester
or year there has that opportunity,”
Lumb said. “It’s a big deal for the
school of business because we’re
committed to getting our students
to see the global aspect and broaden
their horizons.”
Lumb
understands
the
importance of developing and
maintaining connections as a
student, as well as the importance
of seeing things from a different
view.
“Your competition as a student
is no longer just students from
MSUM or NDSU,” she said. “With
technology, your competition
comes from throughout the world.
You can’t go to every country
around the world, but if you can
just find somebody from another
country and look at it from their
perspective, I feel that you will
have a competitive advantage.”
Marketing & Communications
The MSUM Marketing & Communications Office has openings for two paid internships for fall semester, with the possibility to extend through spring semester. 10-20 hours a week.
Graphic Design Intern
by Jasmine Maki
makija@mnstate.edu
Marketing & Commu
Professor connects in China
JESSICA FLEMING • flemingjes@mnstate.edu
Fit Republic’s 84 flavors of health shakes cater to almost anyone, and offer a
filling substitute for an actual meal.
This position will work
closely with the graphic
design team to produce
high-quality print materials for a wide variety of
departments across the
university. Responsibilities will include designing
posters, brochures, flyers
and programs, etc., and
workload will range from
creative conceptualization
to reformatting needs.
Marketing Intern
Features
This position will work
closely with key members of the marketing
team to contribute to
marketing projects.
Responsibilities will include writing print and
web copy, conducting
interviews and working
on department marketing campaigns.
Visit web.mnstate.edu/dragonjobs for more information.
TO APPLY: Please send a resume, two samples of your
work and a cover letter indicating your year in school, skill
level and availability this semester to the Marketing Team
at marketingteam@mnstate.edu. Please indicate Graphic
Design or Marketing in the opening of your cover letter.
Application deadline: September 17.
Minnesota State University Moorhead is an equal opportunity educator and employer
and is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.
Page 4 | Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 | The Advocate
The Advocate | Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 | Page 5
Clubs, activities give students ‘fresh’ experience
By DANIELLE REBEL
rebelda@mnstate.edu
As another school year begins,
time tends to pass in a blur of
textbooks and lecture notes.
That’s why organizations across
campus are urging students to
get involved because, let’s face
it, too much studying never did
anyone any good.
Whether it is volunteering
during down time or simply
going to on-campus events,
students can de-stress, form
healthy relationships and have
a memorable experience all
by getting involved within the
campus community.
“You can do a lot more besides
studying in school,” said Ayushi
Rimal, a graduate assistant for
Dragons After Dark.
MSUM caters to a wide variety
of interests with academic,
social, leadership and athletic
clubs.
Rimal, who is studying
education and leadership, says
that no student can have a full
college experience by simply
going to class. Organizations like
After Dark and Friday Nights
hold weekly events to give all
students, especially those who
do not have the ability to leave
campus, a “fresh” experience.
“The main theme of After
Dark is to promote healthy social
relationships around campus and
to reduce high risk behaviors
by bringing people together in
the school community,” said
After Dark graduate assistant
Nancy Githii, who is studying
counseling and student affairs.
Like After Dark, Students
Today Leaders Forever is another
organization that encourages
relationships among its members
and with those in the community,
though in a different way. By
volunteering on campus and
around the Fargo-Moorhead area
as well as across the country,
students are able to “pay it
forward” and ask others to do the
same.
“It’s great to be around people
that you can relate to — who
want to make a difference,” said
Kari Stenger, junior business
finance major.
Stenger is a chapter core
leader — one of four students
who are in charge of running
the MSUM chapter of STLF.
From decorating bras for Bras on
Broadway to holding a kindness
rally on campus, students are
continually giving back.
“I think it’s very important
to show our community that
we care about them, that we’re
not just college students here,”
Stenger said.
Students can make a difference
on a larger scale by participating
in STLF’s spring break Pay
It Forward tour. For 10 days,
students travel across the country
by bus, doing service projects
in various cities along the way
to their final destination, which
involves a large service project.
Last year the chapter went to
Washington, D.C.
“You see so many different
problems out there, and just
actually doing something about
it while going to school … is
going to help you in the future,”
Stenger said.
Those who have participated
on campus in any way know how
much doing so can positively
influence the college experience.
It could be creating new
friendships or merely getting
away from the books for a while.
Whatever it is, there are always
opportunities to undertake new
adventures by getting involved
with student organizations on
campus.
Features
Fit Republic offers guilt-free way to enjoy shakes
by Megan Havig
havigme@mnstate.edu
Weight management. Workout
recovery. Strength building.
Trending phrases such as these
lined the wall as I stood inside
Moorhead’s newest health-shake
business. Electronic dance music
filled the high-ceiling room.
Against a gray wall to my left
hung four brightly colored menu
boards containing the 84 flavors
of health shakes. With flavors
like pumpkin pie, blueberry
muffin and peanut butter and
jelly, I was curious to see what
the health benefits to the shakes
actually were.
I walked up to the bar counter
and filled out an information card.
For a fee of $6.43 one receives an
aloe shot, a tea and a shake of
choice. Because it is considered a
nutrition club, customers must fill
out a one-time information card
and pay the “daily membership
fee” or the price I paid for the
three products.
Shannon Novak, one of the
three business partners that run
Fit Republic, explained the shake
as a low-calorie, protein-packed
substitute to eating an actual meal.
“Whatever your craving is, you
can still enjoy it here,” Novak said.
“My six-year-old would rather
have this than Dairy Queen.”
After taking my mango aloe
shot, which I enjoyed, I ordered
an iced lemon tea and a vanilla
almond java jolt shake. The tea,
which can be ordered hot or iced,
contains green tea extract and
according to Novak, can help one
burn up to 120 calories. Though I
don’t know the results on my body,
I thought it was really refreshing.
The shake had great flavor and
was dense and gritty due to the
protein. I enjoyed the shake but
couldn’t finish it because I was so
full.
Anyone looking to try a shake
can find Fit Republic at 21 Fourth
St. S., Moorhead.
JESSICA FLEMING • flemingjes@mnstate.edu
Fit Republic, 21 Fourth St. S., Moorhead, is an upbeat environment to enjoy a healthy shake or aloe shot.
Submitted photo
At last year’s Just Glow with it and Dance event, organized by After Dark and the Wellness Center,
students participated in Zumba, rock wall, dancing and other activities centered around getting active.
HAVE SCHOOL
LOANS?
AmeriCorps Members
at the YMCA earn a
$2,775.00
education award after
a year of service!
Also receive a monthly stipend!
Positions: Healthy Living Coach, Mentor
& Homework Club Supervisor
Learn More & Apply at:
ymcacassclay.org/americorps
Submitted photo
Students Sara LeGare, Ferny Zamora and Meghan Dau shovel sand at the Washington Park Zoo
in Michigan City, Ind. on the 2012 Students Today Leaders Forever Pay It Forward tour.
For a complete list of student organizations, go to mnstate.edu/osa and
click on “Student Organizations.”
To see a schedule of all campus meetings and events, go to
schedule.mnstate.edu/mastercalendar/MasterCalendar.aspx#.
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Ruth Lumb, professor of
business, understands the value of
maintaining connections.
This summer, Lumb was
invited as a distinguished guest
to Chongqing Technology and
Business University in Chongqing,
China, for its 60th anniversary
celebration.
“Like most Chinese celebrations,
there were a lot of dignitaries and
speeches, a lot of food and a lot of
fireworks,” Lumb said. “It was a
humbling experience.”
But this wasn’t Lumb’s first trip
to the university. She first developed
a connection in 1989 when she was
invited as the first foreign visitor to
the university.
CTBU was just starting to
develop a school of business and
Lumb was there to help.
“One of my tasks was to teach
marketing,
management
and
business in general to the professors
because this was getting into a new
area,” Lumb said. “And another
task was to work with the vicepresident and president to help set
up a curriculum for business.”
The university has since
expanded its school of business and
made changes to the curriculum,
but Lumb remains connected.
“I also later brought the first
international and foreign students
to campus,” she added. “I go back
every year and visit.”
Lumb’s connections to the
university have not only been
beneficial for her, but have also
provided many opportunities for
MSUM students in the school of
business.
Almost every year, Lumb and
other faculty members take students
Ruth Lumb
on a three-and-a-half to four week
China business trip. One of the
main places they visit and interact
with other students during the trip
is at CTBU.
Many of the students develop
connections and stay in contact with
Chinese students long after the trip.
“We also now have an exchange
agreement with CTBU, so any
student from MSUM that would be
interested in spending a semester
or year there has that opportunity,”
Lumb said. “It’s a big deal for the
school of business because we’re
committed to getting our students
to see the global aspect and broaden
their horizons.”
Lumb
understands
the
importance of developing and
maintaining connections as a
student, as well as the importance
of seeing things from a different
view.
“Your competition as a student
is no longer just students from
MSUM or NDSU,” she said. “With
technology, your competition
comes from throughout the world.
You can’t go to every country
around the world, but if you can
just find somebody from another
country and look at it from their
perspective, I feel that you will
have a competitive advantage.”
Marketing & Communications
The MSUM Marketing & Communications Office has openings for two paid internships for fall semester, with the possibility to extend through spring semester. 10-20 hours a week.
Graphic Design Intern
by Jasmine Maki
makija@mnstate.edu
Marketing & Commu
Professor connects in China
JESSICA FLEMING • flemingjes@mnstate.edu
Fit Republic’s 84 flavors of health shakes cater to almost anyone, and offer a
filling substitute for an actual meal.
This position will work
closely with the graphic
design team to produce
high-quality print materials for a wide variety of
departments across the
university. Responsibilities will include designing
posters, brochures, flyers
and programs, etc., and
workload will range from
creative conceptualization
to reformatting needs.
Marketing Intern
Features
This position will work
closely with key members of the marketing
team to contribute to
marketing projects.
Responsibilities will include writing print and
web copy, conducting
interviews and working
on department marketing campaigns.
Visit web.mnstate.edu/dragonjobs for more information.
TO APPLY: Please send a resume, two samples of your
work and a cover letter indicating your year in school, skill
level and availability this semester to the Marketing Team
at marketingteam@mnstate.edu. Please indicate Graphic
Design or Marketing in the opening of your cover letter.
Application deadline: September 17.
Minnesota State University Moorhead is an equal opportunity educator and employer
and is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.
Page 6 | Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 | The Advocate
Opinion
Advocate Editorial Board
Credibility is everything
This past week I received an email
questioning the credibility of myself
and The Advocate as a whole. A
particular source felt she was not fully
informed that our phone conversation
was an interview intended to gather
information for an article to be
published in The Advocate.
Although I recall identifying myself
as the editor of The Advocate and
stating that I was looking to get
information for an article, I take full
responsibility for not making sure the
source fully understood.
This person stated that the issue was
not the information she shared but
rather the deceit.
As the editor of The Advocate, I
hold myself and my staff to very
high standards. I would never intend
to misrepresent myself or deceive
anyone, especially for the sake of the
paper.
All staff writers and photographers,
myself included, are expected to give
full disclosure before every interview
and I sincerely apologize for any
misunderstanding.
A newspaper is nothing without
good credibility and I can only hope
that this misunderstanding so early in
the year has not harmed the credibility
of our paper.
Jasmine Maki
Advocate Editor
The opinions expressed in The
Advocate are not necessarily those of
the college administration, faculty or
student body.
The Advocate encourages letters to
the editor and any submissions. They
should be typed and must include the
writer’s name, signature, address,
phone number, year in school or
occupation and any affliations. Letters
are due by 5 p.m. Monday and can be
sent to MSUM Box 130, dropped off
in The Advocate office or emailed to
advocate@mnstate.edu.
Question of the week:
What are the biggest barriers in
communication
between the generations?
Answer us on Facebook.
Submissions will be on posted
msumadvocate.com.
Interested in being a columist? or a cartoonist?
The Advocate wants you!
Contact April at
knutsonap@mnstate.edu
Take charge of college, if you want
This won’t be your typical
beginning-of-the-year column.
No. I’d tell freshman what
to do and not do, but they
probably won’t realize The
Advocate even exists until their
sophomore or junior year, so
writing any advice for them
would be pointless.
If there actually are any
freshmen reading this, hello,
welcome to college.
I remember the beginning
of my freshman year. I was a
few pounds heavier, my hair
was short and I didn’t have any
By Meghan Feir
friends.
It wasn’t that I didn’t
feirme@mnstate.edu
know anyone on campus. I knew
a few, but they could hardly
count as friend material. If I ran into them, we’d have
deep conversations, like the following:
“Hi.”
“Oh. Hi.”
Orientation week made me feel like a 10-year-old.
My outfit didn’t help, as I was dressed like one, too.
Though Moorhead isn’t exactly the city of giants, all the
exceptionally tall people seemed to gather near me that
day (I only went to the mandatory, register-for-yourclasses day of orientation) so I also felt like a paranoid
dwarf, ready and waiting to have some shoe, size 13,
accidentally trample me.
I didn’t like my Student Orientation Counselor leader,
so I ditched my group and decided to fend for myself. I
proceeded to register for classes with little to no help from
anyone and did pretty well for a newbie. I even signed up
for Judo, where I would eventually acquire a concussion
and get the wind knocked out of me. Thanks to that class,
if anyone tries to attack me, I’ll be able to kick their
“Orientation made me me feel like a
10-year-old. My outfit didn’t help, as I was
dressed like one, too.”
butt, as long as they’re wearing a stiff-collared Judo gi.
Predators wear them often, I hear.
After departing school every day, I’d go home to
my shady, little apartment and would eat crackers and
carrots – my usual meal.
This was the first semester. By the time the second
semester rolled around, I actually met some friends and
moved on to eating cereal for every meal.
If you’re having a hard time transitioning from being
popular (or not) in high school to not having anyone
know you in college, take heart, young padawan. You,
too, in time, will find your niche in college – if you try.
Unlike in high school, your last name will, I hope,
mean nothing. It won’t hand you positions, perks or
popularity on a precious-metal-like platter. Make
a name for yourself, if you want. Be involved, if
you want. If you don’t want, then just sit in your
apartment and play video games every spare moment.
The decision for your college career is all yours.
This is real talk, honey.
To read more from this writer, view her blog at
daysofourmeghan.tumblr.com
Stop the heckling, cheer positively
I am all for having school
pride at our sporting events.
Cheering for your team
shows great support for the
players involved, and I like
to believe that it means
something to them to hear
the crowd rooting them on.
I do not, however, find
it in any way supportive
or good sportsmanshiplike conduct for the student
section to be heckling and
rudely talking down to
another
school’s players.
By Jessica Fleming
For example, while I
flemingjes@mnstate.edu
was taking pictures of
the women’s soccer game against St. Cloud State
University on Sunday, and I was constantly distracted
by the immature and rude spectators on the sidelines.
There was a group of mostly men sitting in the
home bleachers heckling the visiting team members
and even their visiting family and friends watching
the game on the sidelines. They said things like:
“Oh, look who’s here to get beaten.”
And, “Oh, hey, look at the girl in the green headband,
hey Husky!”
All I could I think about during the game
was how embarassing for our school to let
these
students
represent
our
team
spirit.
I do not know if they were linked to any group that was
meant to cheer on our teams, but I do not believe that
heckling the other team should be a part of any sporting
game on our turf.
When I was growing up,
two organizations were the
cornerstones of my life:
the Boy Scouts of America
and the Roman Catholic
Church. Every month, I
would go camping with my
troop, and every Sunday, I
would attend Mass. These two
institutions sculpted me into
the man I am today, in more
ways than I will probably ever
know. In the Boy Scouts, I learned
important skills, developed
my leadership abilities, and
By Conor Holt
holtco@mnstate.edu was taught the importance of
trustworthiness, kindness and
bravery. In the church, I served as a lector at Mass and a
mentor for confirmation. I learned about Jesus’ love and
compassion for all people. I have tried to live by the lessons I learned from
these institutions every day of my life. And the
biggest lesson I learned from them was to love
and respect all people. For me, the ideas of “love
thy neighbor” and “do a good turn daily” were the
most important to follow every day of your life.
It is with these lessons in my heart that I believe in the
freedom to marry for all committed couples. Gay and
“Oh, look who’s here to get beaten.” And
“Oh, hey, look at the girl in the green headband, hey Husky!”
Although I would have very much liked to been a
brave person and stood up to them, I knew that if I
had tried to say anything it could have led to more
heckling and made things worse, if that were possible.
I hope that you reading this don’t participate in such
bad behaviors, but if you do, think of the image you
are giving to people from other schools and their
families. Keep cheering for our beloved Dragons,
but leave the childish heckling and cat-calling
at home.
Why I will choose to vote no
For me, the ideas of “love thy
neighbor” and “do a good turn daily” were the
most important to follow every day of your life.
lesbian couples want to marry for the same reason as
anyone — to make a lifetime promise of love.
So it saddens me to see the two organizations that taught
me to love other people come out so strongly against the
lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community and their
fight for the freedom to marry. Logically and morally,
I cannot understand their decisions but even though I
strongly disagree with them, I still owe so much to these
organizations. I can only hope that in time they will take
to heart their own lessons of love and understanding.
This November, I will vote no on the marriage
amendment­because of the values I learned as a Boy Scout
and as a member of the Catholic Church. I encourage you
to look to your own values at the polls and take a stand
in defense of all families. Note: A Minnesota same-sex marriage amendment will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot. The measure would define marriage in
the Minnesota Constitution as between one man and one woman in the state.
The Advocate | Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 | Page 7
Sports & Health
Wildcats toy with Dragons
BY CAMERON AAKRE
aakreca@mnstate.edu
MSUM Dragons football team
lost their home opener Saturday,
falling to Wayne State (Neb.)
49-6. The Dragons fell to 0-1 to
start the season and 0-1 in the
NSIC.
This was the first test for the
large class of freshmen that head
coach Steve Laqua brought in.
The Dragons looked young, but
by the end of the game the team
seemed to have lost its first
game jitters.
The Wildcats started their first
drive of the game with a 49-yard
touchdown pass to put them on
the board first. The Dragons
showed some life with an
interception by Dragons inside
linebacker Andrew Pittman.
Wayne State used the wind
to their advantage again on an
83-yard pass to make the score
14-0 in favor of the Wildcats.
The Dragons showed some
offense late in the second
quarter with a drive of their own
finishing on a sack to freshman
Myles Montplaisir deep in the
red zone ending the half, and
the Dragons drive. The teams
headed into the locker rooms
with the score 28-0 with the
Wildcats having the advantage.
Coming out of the half the
Dragons produced a Wildcat stop
on their first drive and forced a
punt. The Dragons would hold
the Wildcats scoreless in the
quarter until the final minute on
a 43-yard rush by Davidson to
put the Wildcats up 35-0.
Early in the fourth quarter the
Dragons put together a nice drive
with a 15-yard pass to Shawn
Weekly
schedule
BY MEREDITH WATHNE
wathneme@mnstate.edu
Marlowe and back-to-back
first down runs by sophomore
Brandon Schell. Schell bounced
off a tackler to break a 21-yard
gain along with a penalty to
put them first and goal on the
9-yard line. Wayne State came
up with a stop and started the
ball on the half-yard line.
Wayne State did not need
much time to score with their
back-up quarter back breaking
a run for 81-yards for the
touchdown. The quarter back
keeper put the Wildcats up 42-0.
MSUM would get its chance
again and would not fail this
time. The Dragons got it rolling
with a 22-yard pass from
Montplaisir to freshman Adam
Jiskra. Montplaisir would stay
hot and complete a pass to
red-shirt senior Matt Birr for a
22-yard gain to the 2-yard line.
Zayne Medhaug would punch it
in and put the Dragons on the
board. The extra point would
miss leaving the score at 42-6.
Defensively Shea Dejong,
a freshman, recorded a game
high 12 tackles, along with a
powerful tackle for a loss. The
Dragon secondary started four
freshmen and is looking to learn
and improve during the season.
As the game went on the growth
was noticeable.
Wayne State would strike one
final time to end the game 49-6
and handing the Dragons a 0-1
record. The Dragons continue
NSIC play next weekend,
traveling to Sioux Falls, S.D., to
take on the University of Sioux
Falls. Game time is slotted for
1 p.m.
Cross Country
Football
Soccer
Volleyball
09/14/12 - 6:15 p.m.
South Dakota State University
Location: Brookings, S.D.
09/08/12 - 1 p.m.
University of Sioux Falls
Location: Sioux Falls, S.D.
09/08/12 - 9 p.m.
Northern State University
Location: Aberdeen, S.D.
09/06-08/12
Eckard Tournament
Location: St. Petersburg, Fla.
JESSICA FLEMING • flemingjes@mnstate.edu
Dragon football battles Wayne State (Neb.) on Sept. 1. Dragons lost 6-49.
Stat Leaders
Rushing................................................Brandon Schell, 81 yds.
Passing...........................................Myles Montplaisir, 146 yds.
Recieving..................................................Adam Jiskra, 76 yds.
Tackles....................................Shea DeJong, 4 solo, 8 assists.
JESSICA FLEMING • flemingjes@mnstate.edu
Dragon soccer takes on St. Cloud State University, falls 1-2 on Sept. 2.
BY LEWIS GRANT
MSUM Women’s soccer team
dropped their home opener to the
St. Cloud (Minn.) State University
Huskies over the weekend after
seemingly out-playing the visitors
on many occasions.
Although the Dragons dominated
most of the first half possession,
Submitted by Dragon Athletics
Dragon Athletics and Valley
Imports are teaming up yet again
this year to offer Dragon fans a
more exciting game experience and
a chance to win cash on the spot.
At 50 home events, Valley
Imports of Fargo is sponsoring the
Season of Cash. At every event,
fans can enter in a drawing. If
chosen, the contestant will compete
in a short game and potentially win
$100 cash.
“We hope it appeals to everyone,
young and old. It’s the perfect prize,”
said Jon Wepking the marketing
coordinator for outreach and new
media at Dragon Athletics.
In years prior, Valley Imports has
teamed up with Dragon Athletics
to give away a one-year lease on a
car and an all expenses paid trip to
Jamaica.
“We want to not only have an
awesome prize, but also give the
fans an opportunity to connect
with what’s going on at Dragon
Athletics. We want them to have
an experience that will keep them
coming back,” Wepking said.
The prize is slightly easier to win
this year. There is no qualifying
round, and the winner will receive
the prize money on the spot.
There have already been two
contests held, with a lucky freshman
winning $100 after making a
free throw during the freshmen
orientation pep rally. On Saturday,
Sept. 1 at the Dragon Football home
Dragons drop close call to Huskies
grantle@mnstate.edu
’Tis the season, for cash that is
Valley Imports
supports Dragon
Athletics
it was St. Cloud State who struck
first not long into the first half after
a tough ball leaked its way past the
Dragons back line.
After several aggressive moves
and shots on goal rained in from
sophomore striker Erin Nyber,
including one that was nicked late
forcing an offside decision, MSUM
finally found the back of the net
only two minutes before the stoke
of half as senior defender Shenae
Morical crushes a shot through
the SCSU defense 50 feet from
goal.
With the energy from
grabbing the late first half goal,
the Dragons came out firing
on all cylinders early on in the
second half, but it was St. Cloud
who once again grabbed another
early goal, this time from a well delivered corner kick.
The Dragons still continued
to control the tempo of the
game with several more chances
on goal. And while freshman
winger Sienna Rebollozo was
displaying an erray of dribbling
moves slashing her way through
St. Cloud defenders, the Dragons
never managed to find an opening
to snatch an equalizing goal
loosing 2-1 and now dropping to
0-2 in season play.
The
Dragons
continue
Northern Sun Conference play
this weekend as they head to
Northern State (S.D.).
opener, Kevin Medhaug, uncle
of Dragon Football player Zayne
Medhaug, took his turn at winning
$100 cash by kicking a field goal.
Even though he missed the field
goal, he still was rewarded with a
three-piece grill set.
“I was nervous, but I’m still
happy about the grill set,” Medhaug
said.
Every night that the cash is not
won it will be added to the bank,
which will be given away at Fill
the Fieldhouse on Feb. 23. The
bank started with $1,000, and could
potentially end up being $5,900.
Currently the bank is at $1,100.
In the past, the contests have been
held at the highest attended events:
football, volleyball, and men and
women’s basketball. However, this
year fans at every Dragon event will
be able to participate in the game.
Valley Imports wanted to show their
support for all Dragon Athletics, not
just the popular sports.
Because Valley Imports wants to
support all of Dragon Athletics, and
the big giveaway happens before
the spring sport season, they have
set aside an extra $500 to be given
away during spring home events.
The last two promotions with
Valley Imports have been very
beneficial. Dragon Athletics set
attendance records at football,
volleyball and basketball games
and hope to continue that success
this season.
Page 8 | Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 | The Advocate
News
Advo asks: What do you think is being built on the campus mall?
“Just a place for students to hang
out?”
– Kelsey Metz, junior business major
“I think it is some sort of statue. That’s
what I’ve heard anyway.”
– Diamond Stokes, senior economics
and accounting major
“From the looks of things, it seems to
be a stand for flags or whatnot.”
– Seth Mayer, freshman physics
major
“An acorn.”
– Jeremy Welin, freshman business
major
So, what is it? “It’s a public artwork and gathering place.”
“I think it’s a piece of art; something to
make the campus pretty.”
– Heidi Peterson, sophomore social
work major
Titled “Sown,” the finished product will be based upon the idea of an acorn and pinecone, which represent
“nature as a metaphor for human aspirations and endeavors,” according to a proposal for the project.
-Jan Mahoney, vice president for finance and adminstration
VOTER REGISTRATION, FROM FRONT
Student Senate work closely
together.
On Sept. 21, MSUM will host a
conference where the participating
schools, along with Dragons After
Dark, will help light the fire in
students and encourage them to
vote.
Students can stop in at the Student
Senate office in the basement of the
CMU or register to vote online at
www.ci.moorhead.mn.us/city_hall/
pdf/VRA_County.pdf.
There are 14 polling locations
around the city of Moorhead. For
a map of polling locations, visit
www.ci.moorhead.mn.us/Uploads/
Maps/2012_Wards_Precincts.pdf.
The Student Senate will hold
their first meeting of the year on
Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. on the second
floor of the CMU. All students
are welcome to attend to discuss
issues. Information about voter
registration and polling locations
will be given at the meeting.
ENROLLMENT, FROM FRONT
like they have a good sense of
direction about what their goals
are.
“Those are the things that we
want to be able to help them figure
out,” Solinger continued. “We
want them to know that they don’t
have to drop out to figure it out.
They can stay and we can help
them figure that out.”
There are many places on
campus that are provided to help
students along their way. The
career development center and the
academic support center are just
two options, both located in Flora
Frick.
As far as student admissions go,
Sarah Nissen, interim director of
admissions, is satisfied with the
number of incoming freshmen.
“We are very happy with our
numbers for this year,” Nissen
said. “We will keep encouraging
students and communicating with
them to enroll in classes.”
WEST NILE, FROM FRONT
most people infected don’t
have any symptoms at all.
“Many people are unaware
that they have West Nile
because they either have no
symptoms, or very mild ones,”
Grimm said. “Our bodies build
an immunity to the virus, so it’s
possible that a person could be
infected multiple times and not
even know it.”
It is a tough disease to
catch and treat because of the
incubation period (the time
between when an individual
was bitten by an infected
mosquito to the time they
begin to show symptoms) is
two to six days. Grimm said
many people are unaware that
they were even bitten in the
first place.
each other in the fact that while
it is possible for a healthy
adult to become infected with
the virus and have symptoms,
it is unlikely.
“If
you
are
already
immunocompromised
—
whether it is HIV, cancer,
AIDS or some other disease
— then you are more likely to
contract West Nile and have
more intense symptoms,”
Grimm said.
How do you know you
have West Nile?
“If you believe you are
infected with the West Nile
virus, the only way to know
is to come in and have a blood
test,” Grimm said.
Prevention tips
• Wear long sleeves and pants.
• Use bug spray.
• Make sure the bug repellent contains at least 30 percent Deet.
• Only use bug repellent with 10
percent Deet for children.
“The mosquitoes that carry
West Nile are most active in
late summer — July through
mid-September,” Grimm said.
“So now is the time to be most
cautious about covering skin
and using bug repellent.”
For questions or more
“If you believe you are infected with the West Nile virus, the
only way to know is to come in and have a blood test.”
When people do become ill
from the West Nile virus, it
is most commonly the West
Nile fever, Grimm said, which
is accompanied with flu-like
symptoms — nausea, vomiting,
fever of less than 102 degrees,
aches and pains and sore throat
— but also includes symptoms
such as prominent muscle
aches, prolonged fatigue, rash
and swollen lymph nodes.
Kathy McKay, the public
health director at Clay County
Public Health, said that
approximately 20 percent of
people infected with the West
Nile virus have signs and
symptoms of West Nile fever,
and approximately 80 percent
of those infected have no
symptoms at all.
McKay said there is another,
more serious, version of the
West Nile virus called West
Nile Encephalitis that affects
about 1 in 150 individuals who
are infected with the disease.
“The symptoms of West Nile
encephalitis can include severe
vomiting, sensitivity to light,
altered reflexes, seizures, and
can progress to a coma and
possibly death,” McKay said.
Grimm and McKay echoed
According to the Minnesota
Department of Health, there
have been 43 cases of West
Nile virus in Minnesota this
year, one of which resulted
in death, and 16 of which
were found through blood
donations. Three cases have
been reporeted in Clay County.
“The West Nile virus is just
one on a large list of tests
donated blood
is put through,”
McKay
said.
“With
the
rigorous testing
on blood before
transfusions, I
have never heard
of an individual
receiving West
Nile from a
blood donation.”
The
CDC
states that a
total of 1,590
cases have been
reported across
the U.S. so far
this year, which
is an all-time
high since the
virus was first
detected here in
1999.
information about West Nile,
visit the Center for Disease
Control website: www.cdc.
gov, Hendrix Health Center
on campus, or contact Clay
County Public Health at
218.299.5220 or their website:
www.co.clay.mn.us.

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