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WHEEL
MAY 13, 2011
VOLUME 78
ISSUE 14
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY STUDENT NEWSPAPER
thewheel-scu.tumblr.com This newspaper, like many other things, is recyclable.
Expecting more
Consumer Nutrition Science professor three months and “was relieved to return
and slide librarian for the art department, to paid employment.”
was preparing to welcome her son Jorgen Macalester offers a six-week paid leave for
three years ago, she was informed that all faculty men and women who are full-time,
while she had a limited amount of paid have worked at the school for at least two
women-centric issue by implementing a sick and/or vacation days as a part-time years, and have two years left on their contract.
• SCU faculty and staff share formal paid parental leave. adjunct professor, once she used those Part-time faculty are offered over one-half
need for broader family- Currently, Macalester College and Hamline she eventually would not be paid at all time if they have worked at Macalester for
University are the only two Associated Colleges during her leave. Adam was on leave for more than two years continuously. Staff who
oriented services of the Twin Cities (ACTC) schools offering are regular full-time employees and have
By Bre Berg and Jennifer their employees a six week paid parental worked at the college for two years are also
leave. At the University of St. Thomas, an eligible for this paid parental leave.
Quayle employee can request up to two weeks of “It’s a very well received and appreciated
staff writers paid leave when the birth or adoption of a benefit,” Patrick Stephen, benefits manager
child occurs. at Macalester College, said. “It supports
Martha Malinski, the director of the Center “We make an effort to meet with people our overall philosophy of our approach
for Community Work and Learning, is the who have concerns by sitting down and to a work-life balance. It is rare to not
quintessential picture of an expectant explaining their options,” Susan Sexton, be gender-specific. It does speak to our
mother--and with the baby bump to prove director of Human Resources, said. “We progressive values at Macalester.”
it. Something Malinski has to contend with, strive to do that with each employee.” When she first came to work at SCU,
however, is that St. Catherine University While there isn’t a paid parental leave Malinski was aware of the unpaid leave.
(SCU) does not have a formal, paid parental available for employees, there are other “I think it probably does keep prospective
leave for its employees. As a result, Malinski, means of compensation. employees from either applying or accepting
who is due in late May, will rely on the paid “Five years ago, SCU began offering positions,” Malinski said. “Or it is a reason
sick days she has accumulated over the six employees short-term disability, [leave]” why people leave and pursue other options
years she has worked at SCU in order to Sexton said. “More people who are preparing elsewhere for employment.”
have paid time off during the birth and to have a child choose this.” Short-term For example, when assistant professor
early care of her child. disability is paid at 60 percent of full pay of Psychology, Jamie Peterson, was a
The lack of a parental leave policy at SCU and excludes taxes. prospective faculty member, she made it
is “a social justice issue that is not reflective Navigating the options available can seem a point to review the SCU parental leave
of women’s lives and the multiple realities complex and confusing for an employee policy.
and identities that women have,” Malinski as she or he prepares for parental leave. “I was dismayed,” Peterson said, “I was
said. “It also is the social justice part of [the When employees take a leave of absence Martha Malinski in her office in the especially disappointed because I expected St.
university’s] mission that compels us even from the university, they typically elect to Center for Community Work and
more to create a healthy and respectful use any paid sick and vacation days they Learning. Photo by Heather Kolnick. See EXPECTING, pg. 2
work environment. I believe things like paid have accrued in order to cover the time
leave to lactation spaces to flexible work they are gone. Each full-time employee a working model of the campus and share
hours lead to more productive employees
and that’s in the students’ best interest.”
receives 12 days of sick time per year, while
a part-time employee receives six sick days A change their ideas and concerns about the project
plans. Many participants expressed concerns
of space
In accordance with the federal Family per year. After those sick and vacation days about parking, housing, and sustainability.
Medical Leave Act (FMLA), SCU offers unpaid are used, the employee will no longer be While the issue of parking was not specifically
leave of six weeks to faculty and staff that paid for the remaining time of her or his addressed, Performa is aware of the issue. As
qualify as natural or adoptive parents. SCU absence. for sustainability, Performa is “aware of the
also offers unpaid parental leave to regular “Financially it’s hard to sift through what
•University additions underway President’s Climate Commitment (PCC) and
employees that work at least part-time. the best option is as an employee, and every to improve student experience will take sustainability into account once
Although employees can use their paid sick family situation is different,” Malinski said. By Devon Arndt the plan is implemented,” Carolyn Glime,
and vacation days as well as file for short- “Many people are reliant on the income senior staff writer Vice President/Owner of Performa Higher
term disability take time off to prepare and and can’t take that time off.” Education, said.
care for their children, many employees feel Paid sick time and vacation days are As the end of the academic year approaches, Upcoming changes include increasing
that if SCU is to live up to its claim of being not available to every employee; adjunct many administrators are hard at work student enrollment in Undergraduate and
the “most innovative college for women in professors, for example, are excluded. designing a strategic growth plan for St. Graduate Program. Under Vision 2020,
the nation,” it should take the lead on this When Jennifer Adam, adjunct Family and Catherine University (SCU). SCU would provide additional on-campus
Performa Higher Education, an external housing for students (including student-
consulting team composed of higher education parents) by building new residence halls
News in brief Michigan students walk out on
commencement ceremony
Over 100 recently graduated lawyers
professionals, campus planners, and designers,
is currently collaborating with SCU to consider
how the campus may develop over the next
and using the top three floors of Whitby
Hall as housing. The plan also includes an
athletic field house and a STEM building.
• Updates on headlines from from the University of Michigan Law three, five, ten, and even twenty years. The Minneapolis campus will also undergo
around town and around the School walked out of the commencement “The university has educated women to lead changes, including expanded food service.
globe ceremony in protest of a speech delivered and influence over the past 100+ years. The Performa and administrators are hopeful
by anti-gay Ohio Sen. Rob Portman Master Space Plan seeks to continue that that despite the growth, SCU will be able to
By Becky (R). Portman has formally opposed gay tradition by preserving key features and maintain a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio and
Doucette adoption in Washington, D.C. and openly facilities. These include investments in thus plans to increase staff growth by 2%.
and Alexa opposes gay marriage. Students who academic, residential and co-curricular facilities As for fore s e e a bl e ob s t a cl e s , t h e
Chihos took part in the protest claimed that the and fostering a sustainable environment on administration is optimistic. “I do not forsee
views portrayed in Sen. Portman’s speech our campuses,” Tom Rooney, Vice President any obstacles working with Performa and key
were incompatible with human dignity. for Finance and Administration and Chief stakeholders in delivering an approved Vision
Census data shows shift in childrearing Financial Officer, said. 2020 Master Space Plan by October 2011.
Results from the 2010 Census Bureau Minneapolis stadium ‘game changer’ Rooney, Jim Manship (Director of Facilities), However, we can expect implementing the
reveal that women who get their college Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has and the President’s Cabinet have been plan recommendations will require several
degree are waiting longer to have children proposed a one billion dollar plan to developing a Master Space Plan (MSP) for years and many dollars. Each need will be
in comparison to women who did not rebuild the Vikings Stadium, renovate many years. The 2020 Strategic Plan was prioritized given the time and financial
finish high school. The 2000 census showed the Target Center, and cut property approved by the Board of Trustees in fall resource constraints,” Rooney said.
that 42% of women with college degrees taxes. Rybak requested that the Vikings 2009, and Rooney and Manship have since As always, students involvement is
between the ages of 25 and 34 had children. pay $400 million – 45 percent – of the been receiving input from students, faculty, encouraged. Students interested should
Ten years later, 76% of the same women, total cost of the proposed plan, while administration, alumnae, board, neighbors, contact student Senate Resident Senator,
now between 35 and 44 have had children. the city and state would make up the and the Sisters of St. Joseph. Brooke Dahler (First Year) and Curt Galloway,
This could be linked to the rise in women’s difference. The two to three years it will On May 5 and 6, SCU students, staff, Associate Dean and member of the Project
higher education since the 1980s, which has take to proceed with the plan will open and faculty had the opportunity to attend Leadership Team.
led to women seeking career security and up 9,000 construction jobs. The proposal workshops held by Performa. Participants
marriage before having children. is still being negotiated with the Vikings. had an opportunity to discuss future campus Devon can be reached at
development opportunities with the aid of dvarndt@stkate.edu.
2 | The Wheel NEWS & OPINION May 13, 2011
Theory to action:
This is not what I had originally intended for this column.
At the All-College Awards ceremony last week, President Andrea Lee (IHM) gave a
speech that seemed pleasantly appropriate for that type of event. She congratulated
Together at the end nominees, spoke highly of the faculty and staff whose daily encouragement and guidance
helped create a student body that succeeds, and recognized St. Catherine University’s
My least favorite question to answer over the last four years is also, unfortunately, one
of the most frequently asked.
By Jordyn Arndt
“So, how did you decide on St. Kate’s?” international columnist
It seems like such a simple question. Perhaps you are here, today, because you wanted
to experience a nursing program celebrated for its integration of the humanities and the “Educating women to lead and influence.”
sciences. Perhaps you are here as a result of your four-years-ago self ’s total devotion to Sound familiar? It should. It is an integral component of the St. Catherine University
both biology and social justice. Perhaps you felt called by the mission statement we’re all (SCU) mission statement. However, I question how well SCU graduates are actually
so familiar with: teaching women to lead and influence. prepared to lead and influence in a complex, globalized world, when so few of them
More likely however, you came to St. Kate’s because of the scholarships or because of have familiarity with a second (or third or fourth) language. While many of SCU’s
family or because you really, really loved the campus. multicultural, international, and foreign language majors and minors have foreign
Most anyone who knows me (and even those who don’t know me particularly well)
language proficiency, the vast majority of SCU students do not. Only eight percent
know that the College of St. Catherine was never the school I imagined myself attending.
So whenever people ask me, innocently, “Why did you choose St. Kate’s?” my answer is of the students graduating in May 2011 have a major or minor in a foreign language.
never the same and it’s never what they were probably expecting. Instead, this unsuspecting Learning a foreign language is about more than memorizing verb conjugations,
conversant, some fellow student or barista or something, is treated to a philosophical treatise vocabulary words, and idiomatic expressions.
on how I got here. How this place, over the course of several chance circumstances, chose It is about learning another way of seeing the world, expanding one’s understanding
me. How it kept me and grew me and bent me entirely out of shape and is now sending me of other cultures, and thus reexamining one’s own language and culture. Aspiring
off into the world with a diploma and a skill set mostly composed of critiquing literature leaders are more effective when they can examine issues through multiple lenses. In
and avoiding unfortunate deadlines. light of the Year of the Liberal Arts, learning languages is an integral component of
After a 22-hour car ride from northwestern Montana, I arrived on this campus with too intellectual inquiry. Foreign languages innately facilitate these processes.
many books and a devastating lack of enthusiasm for meeting new people or touring my SCU is the only school among the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities, Carleton
new home. I decorated my (single) dorm room with the Gryffindor colors of scarlet and College, and St. Olaf College that does not implement a foreign language proficiency
gold and hung up a poster of Harry Potter preparing to defeat Lord Voldemort.
exam upon entry; these schools require two to five semesters of language study.
According to my admittedly limited emotional metaphor, I was Harry Potter and the
state of Minnesota was Lord Voldemort. Conversely, SCU students who have taken several years of high school foreign language
Clearly, something really dramatic happened to me between the ages of 18 and 22. or ASL are permitted to fulfill their language requirement without demonstrating
It’s nearly impossible to pinpoint what, exactly, changed for me about this place and their level of proficiency on an exam. Thus, foreign languages are the only liberal arts
about my place, here. There is simply something about this College that creeps into your requirement at SCU that can be waived based on high school performance. This is
fundamental framing of the world. concerning, due to the varying quality of high school language courses.
“It’s the education,” I sometimes tell people. And I don’t mean the required core courses The argument for not implementing stricter foreign language requirements at
or the courses for your major or minor. I mean the experiential education of entering this SCU is often cited as a financial and time concern for students. Thus, implementing
communion of women, learning and stretching, often uncomfortably, until the metaphoric more stringent language requirements is perceived as a burden. Both are legitimate
joints of our minds get used to the social, political, and spiritual revelations. concerns; however, I argue that the perceived value of learning a foreign language
It’s the eye-opening realization, repeated every day for four years, that the injustices of needs to be reassessed. Learning a foreign language is a key component of the liberal
this world extend far beyond the state of our healthcare system or the plight of same-sex
arts and enables students to connect with people, ideas, and regions of the world more
couples in this country. What we had perhaps taken for granted as localized instances of
oppression are actually systemic, interconnected mechanisms of an oppressive hegemony profoundly; other Minnesota private colleges recognize this.
bent on maintaining the status quo. Furthermore, there is actually no data that proves we would lose students by increasing
That is to say, more simply, that this world is perhaps more lost now than ever before our foreign language requirements or implementing a language proficiency exam, as
and the education we’ve received at St. Kate’s has perhaps uniquely prepared us to stare we have never implemented this rule. Private colleges near us do not seem to be losing
down that status quo and flip it on its head. any students with a more stringent foreign language requirement.
I say “uniquely” because St. Kate’s, in reality, is no Macalester. It makes no idealistic claims Students who study foreign languages are high achievers. Having foreign language
about changing the world through a youth revolution. Its ethos is that of quiet, polite or ASL study is a requirement for nomination to Phi Beta Kappa, the most prestigious
excellence. But there is an undercurrent of activism here that I would challenge any ACTC liberal arts society in the nation. While foreign language majors only comprise five
school to match. And that activist heart is kept beating by a faculty pushing and prodding percent of the day students graduating in May 2011, they comprise 20 percent of the
its too-polite student body, stoking the fires of active resistance over passive assimilation. Phi Beta Kappa inductees. Furthermore, all three of the French majors graduating
For that reason, sometimes, I’m convinced the allure of St. Kate’s actually lies with the
in May 2011 are Phi Beta Kappa inductees. We represent a disproportionately large
faculty: the professors who meet their students for drinks, who provide us with three
different numbers to reach them, who send us notices about film screenings and free shows percentage given that French majors comprise only one percent of students graduating
and poetry readings. The professors who don’t flinch when you announce that you’re an in May 2011. Of the 11 Spanish majors and nine Spanish minors, two are Phi Beta
English major taking general biology and you’re unsure what chemistry has to do with Kappa inductees. Furthermore, Anika Bratt, a Spanish minor, was the salutatorian
anything, ever. for the December 2010 graduating class.
“It’s the professors,” I sometimes tell people. And I’m completely confident in that Studies have shown that studying a foreign language helps native English speakers to
response too. better understand English grammar and improve their writing skills in English. This
But then I think about the students I’ve encountered in the last four years. These are is evident at SCU, as the winners of the top writing awards this year, including the
some of the mostly profoundly busy people you’re likely to come across in an undergraduate Excellence in Research on Women Award, Best Senior Honors Project Award, and the
setting. We are busy with so many equally valid and valuable things. Bonnie Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Student Excellence in Writing Awards as well as the
We are passionately living out the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph by fighting those two Kelly Award Honorable Mentions, were all foreign language majors, double majors,
positions we find unjust and unacceptable.
or triple majors. The ability to communicate effectively is an integral component of a
We are busy putting out a student newspaper that attempts, without the aid of a journalism
department, to address the myriad concerns of our student and faculty population in an liberal arts education. Foreign language majors demonstrate this skill par excellence.
objective, engaging way. Thus, I would like to ask the SCU administration if, while hosting the various award
We are busy greening this beautiful campus, educating students on how to re-use and ceremonies on campus this spring, they happened to notice how many foreign language
recycle while challenging our administration to set a progressive example. students were top award recipients. Is that not the kind of representation SCU would
We are organizing events to celebrate our growing international population, introducing desire in the international world?
an extremely Minnesotan student body to cultures and traditions we might not otherwise My hope would be that the answer would be yes. Does it not highlight the need for
ever encounter. more legitimate curricular support from SCU for a program that is producing excellent
We are (occasionally) protesting administrative policies and ceaselessly fighting for students with very little institutional support?
student rights. As I conclude this column and my year as the Wheel’s international columnist, I
Basically, we are busy making the oft-criticized multitasking tendencies of our generation would like to reveal my personal investment in this issue at SCU. I am a French double
into something more useful than texting while taking lecture notes.
major, have studied Wolof and Arabic, and teach language and culture at Lac du Bois,
“It’s the students,” I sometimes tell people. And I mean it.
I have to reflect on all of these things when I try to address that question asked by my a French immersion camp, during the summer. I believe in the power of language to
friends and family and complete strangers: bridge cultural barriers, foster cross-cultural understanding, and improve one’s ability
“Why St. Kate’s?” to communicate in an increasingly intertwined and multicultural world.
I have to walk them through this four-year process of maturing beyond the 18-year old Most importantly, I am deeply concerned by SCU’s proclaimed support of the liberal
me and my idealistic dream of what college should be instead of what college could be. As arts, internationalization, and fostering of women’s leadership while concurrently
it turns out, college can be so many things. Too many things to list here. And this college consolidating the foreign language department, failing to implement a language
can still be so many things. Although it is out of my hands now, I would hope that the proficiency exam, and waiving the language requirement based on high school
administrators and professors and students I leave behind are left with an indelible imprint performance. Learning multiple languages is essential to responsible global citizenship.
of the passion of this year’s graduating class. I hope that we have left a radical example Influential global leaders cannot truly address some of the world’s greatest challenges
for the direction this institution should take: that of action rather than passivity, progress if they are limited to one language and one way of seeing the world.
rather than stagnancy.
And, for us, this graduating class of 2011, our learning doesn’t stop with this diploma.
If anything, this bit of paper demands we give our full attention to the world around us; it World peace would be better fostered if we understood it as paix, jamm, and salaam
should serve as a constant reminder that we know better. We know better than to sit back as well.
and allow the world to continue on, in the same way it always has, without the considerable
influence of our radical, youthful passion. Jordyn can be reached at jearndt@stkate.edu.
We know better because we are St. Kate’s women.
Letters to
University
community continues
the Editor
to respond to the
tenure case of Sr.
Catherine Michaud
Dear Editor:
The chronology of events described in the story “Tenure Denial Divides” suggests divisions far greater than can be fully captured in print. The actual
truths of Dr. Catherine Michaud’s tenure denial may never become clear to anyone outside of a few very private conversations. However, positive and
supportive statements about Dr. Michaud from the past and current theology department chairs indicate that something is terribly amiss in the University
administration’s denial of Sr. Catherine’s request for tenure. Transparency is lacking, or at best, is a misplaced value in an institution that celebrates
multiculturalism, nondiscrimination, and ethical policies and procedures.
It is incomprehensible that the past theology department chairs and the Faculty Personnel Committee would have recommended Dr. Michaud for tenure
if they had any reason to doubt it would have been granted. A successful outcome was anticipated, even expected. After all, Dr. Catherine Michaud, CSJ
had received “exceptional” evaluations by two theology department chairs during her 18 years of teaching at SCU, served for several years as Director of
the Masters of Arts in Theology (MAT) Program, and actively served on numerous university committees that benefited from her expertise and talents.
Something isn’t adding up to equal the administrative rationale to deny tenure!
The search for truth and justice are at the heart of Catholic social justice teaching. To act in any other way trivializes the gospel we preach and teach.
Hang in there Dr. Michaud! Truth sets us all free and justice eventually prevails.
Tanya Williams
tfwill@earthlink.net May 9, 2011 has made me a better person.
When I weigh the profound impact that Sr.
Dear Editor, Catherine has had on her students and fellow
faculty against the Administration’s decision
As a new certificate seeking student, I am distressed I am writing this letter in response to your to deny tenure to her, it’s like a math equation
article in the April 29, 2011 issue of The Wheel that just simply doesn’t add up. How can
that a Catholic institution of higher learning, especially regarding the tenure denial of Sr. Catherine they deny future students the opportunity
one with the stellar reputation of St. Catherine’s, would Michaud. I am shocked, saddened, and in and the life-changing experience of having
be so unjust in their practices of granting tenure. As disbelief at the Administration’s decision to Sr. Catherine as an instructor? Sr. Catherine
a woman of similar age to Sr. Catherine, I can’t help deny tenure to Sr. Catherine. is a prophet who speaks the word of truth.
but wonder if this is a carefully veiled situation of age I am very fortunate to have taken the three I cannot help but wonder if this is the true
discrimination. She is an exceptional educator and classes Sr. Catherine teaches at the graduate reason that the Administration wants to get
level in the MAT program. Simply put, Sr. rid of her. Those of us who love Sr. Catherine
mentor for her students, as has been attested to by the Catherine is the finest teacher I have ever had. and hold her in the highest regard, however,
many letters in the last issue of the Wheel. She brings out the best in me and makes me will always remember her and will never forget
want to live up to her expectation of what I the injustice done by this Administration.
Carole Zempel am capable of. Some of the moments in her
Director of Children’s Ministry classes when we are talking about God are so Sincerely,
Transfiguration Catholic Church reverent, they feel like holy moments, God’s Mari Taffe
time. She will have a lifelong effect on me. mtaffe@comcast.net
6133 15th Street N. Besides making me a better student, she
Oakdale, MN 55128
czempel@transfigurationmn.org
May 8, 2011 inconsistencies barring her from of the very ethics upon which the centennial year . . . ‘The soul of
tenure. However, if this was not Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet a pioneer woman is a beautiful
Dear Editor, the case, then an injustice has [CSJ] originally founded this college? thing,’ in terms of her willingness
In a recent Wheel article entitled been served. Where have all the CSJ’s gone? to break new ground, take risks,
“Tenure Denial Divides” regarding I can only suspect that this lack Why is their presence waning in seek adventure and to do things
Sister Catherine Michaud, I find it of observing proper protocol this school while injustice, like in that hadn’t been done before.”
questionable on the administrative was irresponsible—or worse yet, Sister Catherine’s case, seems to Is not Sister Catherine exemplar
end that in all of Sister Catherine’s intentional—on the part of St. be on the rise? Could it be that of a pioneering woman, the very
evaluations no prior mention was Kate’s administration. this school appears to be drifting woman that President Lee applauds?
made of any deficiency in her Unlike [theology faculty Ed] away from its foundational vision Willing to break new ground,
scholarship before tenure was Sellner’s evocative response— of social justice? Sister Catherine taking risks, seeking adventure.
denied, as reported by Thomas redolent of blind acceptance—that is a poignant reminder of this All of these qualities, purported by
West. protocol was followed, I am wary dynamic at work. President Lee as quintessential of
Proper protocol in cases of tenure of such short-sighted acquiescence In a January 5, 2005 MPR interview the founding spirit of St. Catherine
would have provided Sister Catherine regarding authority. Can we afford on the 100th anniversary of St. University, are the very qualities
with the chance to rectify any such compliant postures as this? Kate’s, President Lee—a sister of found in Sister Catherine—qualities,
Could there be another agenda at the Immaculate Heart of Mary I opine, unwelcomed by St. Kate’s
work at St. Kate’s, one that feeds order—asserted that it was the current administration.
institutional coffers rather than its Sisters of St. Joseph’s determined
The Wheel would professed claim of social justice? and pioneering spirit that echoes Patricia Chandler
like to extend So I must ask, has social justice through this community, stating, patriciachandler1969@yahoo.com
become a barren byword at St. “There’s a wonderful quote that
a thank you to Catherine University, evacuated we’ve used over and over in the
everyone who
submitted letters.
May 13, 2011 OPINION The Wheel | 5
There’s color in the office, green • Alexa: Meddler - August Burns Red
things, soft things. And while the pile • Becky: The Moment I Said It -
of work seems to never end, there is at
least a comfy place to sit while we do it. Imogen Heap
It was worth it. And the great part • Heather: CocoRosie station on
is, I never have to step foot in IKEA Pandora
ever again.
• Jessica: I Don’t Like It Like This -
Rachel can be reached at Radio Dept
rmarmstrong@stkate.edu.
The Wheel’s long-sought couch/bed/workspace, acquired after months of planning and Rachel can be reached at
extensive searching. Photo by Sarah Wente. rmarmstrong@skate.edu.
Tréza Rosado - Editor-in-Chief Rachel Armstrong - Associate Editor Sarah Wente - Layout Designer Sheila Eldred - Adviser
Traits: Bookworm, Genius, Charasmatic, Traits: Natural Cook, Hopeless Romantic, Traits: Computer Whiz, Bookworm, Handy, Traits: Athletic, Bookworm, Friendly,
Flirty, Computer Whiz Good Sense of Humor, Bookworm, Genius Genius, Good Sense of Humor Genius, Good Sense of Humor
Lifetime Goal: Renaissance Sim Lifetime Goal: Professional Author Lifetime Goal: Become a Creature-Robot Lifetime Goal: Star News Anchor
Favorites: Cookies, Indie, and Irish Green Favorites: Pancakes, Indie, Aqua Cross Breader Favorites: Spaghetti, Classical, Turquoise
Favorites: French Toast, Classical, Blue
Alexa Chihos - Assistant Editor Becky Doucette - Assistant Editor Heather Kolnick - Photo Editor Jessica Jones - Photo Editor
Traits: Virtuoso, Good Sense of Humor, Traits: Bookworm, Excitable, Ambitious, Traits: Artistic, Virtuoso, Vegetarian, Traits: Artistic, Bookworm, Good, Friendly,
Workaholic, Genius, Hopeless Romantic Genius, Charismatic Charismatic, Excitable Lucky
Lifetime Goal: Rock Star Lifetime Goal: Leader of the Free World Lifetime Goal: Master of the Arts Lifetime Goal: Illustrious Author
Favorites: Lobster. Indie, Green Favorites: Hamburger, Indie, Blue Favorites: Spaghetti With Veggie Sauce, Favorites: Waffles, Indie, Purple
Latin, Red
I recently had the opportunity to interview Matt Wertz, a singer-songwriter and veteran
of the booming Nashville music scene. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous; my little
groupie heart almost skipped a beat when his publicist informed me he’d be calling me
from the road. Wertz was someone I listened to in high school and his apropos “Counting
to 100” was the song I had my first kiss too. (Although now extremely comical of course,
it was deeply romantic at the time).
Still, it’s that genuine sentimentality present in Wertz’s music that undoubtedly makes
girls swoon over his downplayed Southern charm and smooth voice. (And no doubt, my
boyfriend at the time suspected it would get him some play). Wertz visited the Twin Cities
last month as part of his nationwide “Weights & Wings” tour.
Wertz opened up to me about where he gathers his inspiration, how his practice of
meditation has helped shape his music, and how he best connects with his audience.
I mentioned to Wertz that I had followed his career over the past several years and that
his latest release seemed to be a noticeable departure from his previous work.
“What would make you say that?” he asked, catching me off guard.
Stumbling over my words, I nervously suggested that the themes on this album presented a
bit more depth and perhaps darkness than the light-hearted romance present in past albums.
“That was definitely intentional,” he agreed. “I wanted this to be a departure from my
older stuff but I still wanted the fans to connect with the music, so it was about straddling
that line between the new and the old.”
I heard Wertz had gotten the idea for the title of his album from a meditation book
Junior Anna Garski’s self portrait “I Just Want to Know” won a Research and
called “Stranded in the Desert.” I asked him if meditation was a newer habit he’d picked
Creative Work on Women award through the Abigail Quigley McCarthy Center for
up or a long-time practice.
Women and is featured in this year’s gallery.
“It’s actually something I’ve been practicing for a long time…while reading this book, it
really hit me that the weights are as integral as the wings; the dark periods are as important
as the light times and you need to be comfortable with both,” Wertz said.
It’s an ease that one picks up on quickly while listening to “Weights & Wings”; an
understanding that it is the yin and yang of life, which support and give meaning to one
another. I really got a sense that Wertz attempted that with this album which was recorded
in his hometown of Nashville, just a few blocks away from his home.
As we concluded the interview, he disclosed that he was currently driving through sunny
California.
“It’s 75 and sunny here,” he said.
Looking out my window at another April frost, I told him I was justifiably envious.
To end the interview, I asked him who some of his favorite musicians of today are.
“I love Lissie,” he said, and I agreed she was a new favorite of mine as well.
“How does that one song go?” he asked cheerfully. “When I’m alone with you, you make
me feel, you make me feel.”
Yep, I decided still got that Southern charm.
In line
beyond what I care about; it really goes back
to what students care about. It’s mostly things that [previous Senate
leaders] have done that I think we can either
TW: Have students approached you with continue doing or do better. Every group,
academic year!
5. Your outfit for Dew Drop Bop:
a. is already planned: a SKAT-sponsored
3. Should there be a beer tent at Dew official DDB T-shirt and booty shorts, no
Drop Bop? matter the weather
a. Heck yes, it’s about time I was allowed b. will be a practical ensemble, including a
to let loose on campus! poncho in case it rains
b. Maybe, but I’m not 21/don’t drink... c. will be whatever I throw on in the
c. No, they would probably charge too morning; and I don’t plan to stick around
much for beer anyway and get soaked if it starts to rain!
Available positions include:
If you answered... • Copy Editor
Mostly a’s:
You are going to have a blast at Dew Drop Bop! You know how to have a good
• Assistant Editors
time and you’re probably going to show it. Get there early to so you can make
sure to enjoy all the treats and attractions. • Staff Writers
Mostly b’s:
Dew Drop Bop is going to be pretty fun for you, but it will not the be-all, end-all
social event of the year. Go with friends, avail yourself of the three free food tick-
ets you get, and bring home a souvenir. If all goes well, you’re in line to to have a
blast at next year’s Dew Drop Bop!
Contact Becky Doucette
Mostly c’s:
You’re a party pooper. The University went to all the trouble of bringing a carni-
val to campus, and you’re not going to have a great time? Maybe you should join
SKAT so you can make it better next year...
at rjdoucette@stkate.edu
Dana can be reached at dlbloomquist@stkate.edu.
for more information
10 | The Wheel FEATURES May 13, 2011
Dana Becky
I think I hate bras. Since I was in sixth grade, I have had a hard time with bras. “You should go
and get fitted,” people invariably say when I begin my bra saga with them. Oh, I’ve been fitted. As a 34C size, I have had little to no trouble in buying bras,
Every once in a while, when my current bras are so uncomfortable I tear them off as soon as I especially as my mother enjoyed teaching me everything there
get home and can hardly stand to open my closet and look at them when I get dressed, I decide was to know about bra shopping. This, I have discovered
that maybe they made a mistake or maybe I didn’t shop carefully enough last time. So I go and entering college, was beyond lucky. Now, without my mother’s
get fitted again. And the attendant once agin comes up with the same verdict: 32F or G. The help, I had to go shopping for bras for the first time alone. When
thing is, though, bras are about more than size: My breasts happen to not be shaped like the bras shopping, I wanted to cry as I tried on a lacy, girly bra, my dirty
seem to think they should be, so I can’t just pick up one of the half-dozen (if I’m lucky) bras the little secret of bra choice. I wanted to cry because I was pinched
store has and have it fit. Sure, there’s a lot out there for most body types--sports bras, triangle and prodded at places on my body I didn’t even know existed
bras, plunge bras, contour bras, lifting, minimizing, cleavage-izisng (believe me, I could continue). by wires or fabric I had once thought were “cute.” In fear of
But at least for now, I’ve come to the unfortunate conclusion that I just can’t find one that really this same experience, I now rotate between 4 different bras of
works for me. Don’t get me wrong: by no means do I dislike the twins on my chest. I think they’re multiple sizes, colors, and comfort levels…and only one that
great--as long as I’m not exercising, thinking of wearing a tank top, or going to a respectable public fits correctly can be seen through most of my clothes. I need
establishment. Because that means I have to wear a bra. to go shopping…but I can wait until my mom comes with me.
Rachel mind flew back to that moment in Victoria’s Secret; to the pretty lace bras that
would never fit; to the clerk who chuckled when she measured me; to my blushing
face in the over-bright dressing room mirror.
I used to pretend I didn’t have breasts. Which is no mean feat for me, because, I mean yeah, I was worried about my breasts too, but I was still trying to pretend
um, I really have breasts. I used to wear a sports bra, and then when didn’t hold they weren’t there.
me up any more I wore two sports bras. At soccer practice, I wore three just so Luckily, my friends are annoyingly, endearingly persistent. That’s how I found
they wouldn’t hurt so much when I ran. I didn’t own any real bras until my mother myself with a measuring tape around my chest, surrounded by four excited clerks
staged an intervention in high school and I didn’t wear properly sized bras until my and two of my friends in Lane Bryant. It was like I was taking the training wheels off
friends staged another intervention about a week ago. my bike for these women, I swear. But no one chuckled. No one said, “Oh my god,
It’s always been pretty difficult for me to pretend they’re not there...but now, I really?” No one said anything, except, “What colors do you want?”
don’t really want to pretend. Wait, they come in different colors in my size?
I was really nervous about getting fitted. I mean, the last time I tried, the Victoria’s And that’s when I started to get a little bit excited about my breasts. I proclaimed
Secret clerk made me feel so awkward and detached from my breasts that I just to my self-congratulatory friends that wearing my new bra was like someone hugging
bought a couple bras to get out of there. It was terrible. my breasts at all times.
So when my friend sat me down and said she was worried about my breasts my Better than multiple sports bras, I’ll tell you that.
May 13, 2011 HEALTH The Wheel | 11
Ask
water carbon monoxide, heavy metals,
• A bowl containing tobacco and the carcinogens (cancer-causing
heating source (usually coals) chemicals) and significant levels
• A pipe that connects the bowl to the of nicotine (addictive substance
Katie!
base, dipping into the water contained in tobacco).
in the base
• A hose, acting as a second tube attached To learn more about the health
to the pipe that does not touch the costs of using hookah, visit the
water, but is open into air allowing Mayo Clinic’s website on the
• The Ask Katie! peer health users to inhale the hookah smoke subject at www.mayoclinic.com/
advisers answer your health- Is hookah smoking safer than smoking
health/hookah/
related questions cigarettes? Please note that the Ask
Smoking hookah is not safer than smoking Katie! advisers are not trained
By Dana Bloomquist cigarettes. In fact, hookah smokers actually medical professionals; contact
copy editor inhale more tobacco smoke than do cigarette your health care provider
smokers because of the massive volume of with immediate questions or
What is hookah? smoke they inhale. According to a World concerns. AskKatie! should not
A hookah is a water pipe that has been Health Organization advisory, a typical one- be used in place of professional
used in the Middle East and Asia to smoke hour session of hookah smoking exposes consultation.
tobacco (often called shisha) for centuries. users to 100 to 200 times more volume of
Recently, hookah bars and cafes have been smoke than inhaled from a single cigarette. If you still have unanswered
opening up throughout the United States Many think that hookah smoking is safer questions, don’t forget to go to the
and are growing in popularity among teens because the water pipe filters the “bad tobacco Ask Katie! stall in your residence
and young adults. product” as it passes through; however, hall and write a question on the
this is not true. Even after passing though anonymous notepad. If you live Photo courtesy of www.hookah-shisha.com
The hookah device consists of four parts: the water, tobacco smoke still contains off campus, email questions to
• A base (smoke chamber) filled with high levels of toxic compounds, including healthwellness@stkate.edu.
Recruitment how-to
• Coaches and admissions to do to stay competitive, just like every
other athletic department in the country.”
work to bring talent to SCU Coaches at SCU work closely with both
By Alexa Chihos prospective student-athletes and the Admissions
office in the recruitment process. Citowicki
assistant editor explained the crucial relationship between
these two departments.
As a National Collegiate Athletic Association “Admissions and coaches work closely
(NCAA) Division III university, the recruiting here at SCU. The relationships and dynamic
process at St. Catherine University (SCU) between the two is the best I have seen.
differs from that of a Division I or II institution. Thanks to the close relationship between
Since recruitment at SCU involves athletics Admissions and athletics, we do a great job
coaches, the Admissions office, and potential recruiting and can continue to bring in good
student-athletes, this process brings not students to SCU,” Citowicki said.
only talented athletes but serious students. Henderson emphasized the importance
Head soccer coach Chris Citowicki of the recruitment process at SCU and
emphasizes the importance of the initial explained how it is an important aspect of
contact between coaches and a recruit as not only the athletic community, but the
well as the development of a continued SCU community.
relationship between the recruit and the “It has the potential to have tremendous
SCU community. impact on the entire campus community; I
“The initial contact varies. Sometimes they think that is why [recruitment] is so heavily
Photos courtesy of http://hmjds.files.wordpress.com/. fill out the online form and we watch them emphasized within our athletic department,”
play, or we are at a tournament or game and Henderson said. “When it comes to recruiting,
get to see them play there. From there they we are basically a branch of the admissions
are entered into our system (MATRIX). At office. We have a great relationship with
• Local team drops the ball, fans hope for return to up- this point Admissions does their separate them and work hard together to bring
to-par performance mailings/calls and athletics does their own.
We both do our best to get them on campus
students who are talented academically and
athletically, who are great leaders, and who
By Maggie Weiss went from a winning streak to a two-game to visit, have them overnight, and hopefully have the potential to enrich the entire SCU
staff writer losing slump against a team we had brought commit,” Citowicki said. community.”
to its knees just a few days prior. Head swimming coach Shana Erickson Erickson describes the recruitment process
Maybe the Twins weren’t on top of their expressed the significant role of the head at SCU as a way to help the prospective
Baseball has been classified as America’s game that day or maybe Venus was in the coaches of the athletic programs in the student-athlete become acquainted with
favorite past time, the game that every child third house. Another possibility could be that recruitment process. and adjusted to the SCU community before
on American soil and beyond knows how since so many of the players are currently “Head Coaches are the primary source for their first year.
to play. It doesn’t matter if you root for the on the disabled list and have been injured in identifying and contacting prospective student- “The recruitment process helps the student-
Twins, the Angels, the Sox, or the Cubs; such a way that the coaches have had to find athletes. We then work with Admissions to athlete build a strong bond with coaches and
Americans love their baseball. alternates until the players return; players strengthen the relationship they have with teammates before they arrive on campus in
It holds true when it comes to us Minnesotans Jim Thome and Delman Young have both SCU,” Erickson said. the fall, which is a critical component for
as baseball fans. We’re just as likely to sit back been placed on the disabled list while their However, the availability of athletic the student-athlete to become well-adjusted
with a package of peanuts or Crackerjack teammates Trevor Plouffe and Ben Revere scholarships between NCAA Division I, II and successful in her first semester and
and root for the home team. And, for some have been called up and brought on board. and III colleges and universities can impact year(s) at St. Kate’s,” Erickson said. “On the
time, the Twins’ season was going really well. With the return of previously injured the recruitment process. Division I and II whole, I want their four-year experience to
On May 3, they shut out the Red Sox with players Francisco Liriano, Joe Mauer, and schools can offer scholarships to potential be a positive one, one that is full of both
a score of 1-0 with six hits from the Twins. Kevin Slowey, many Twins fans are hoping student-athletes while Division III schools personal and athletic growth. The more we
May 4 marked another victory for the Twins, this will be enough for the team to get back on cannot. Cross country and track & field can assist in nurturing that, the better their
albeit in a close 3-2 game. During a game top of their game in time to pull themselves coach, and Sports Information Director, experience will be.”
against the Boston Red Sox, we once again out of this losing streak. We know the Twins Mike Henderson, insists that the process Prospective student-athletes can fill out
brought the game home with a score of 9-2, could use it and hope that it will be enough at SCU is similar in every way to Division I and submit the athletic interest form on the
advantage Twins. to see another victory before long. Because and II schools with the exception of athletic SCU athletic department’s website (www.
But then, May 7 brought major heartache every Twins fan knows that a summer in scholarships. stkatesathletics .com) or email coaches to
to Twins Territory when we lost a second Minnesota isn’t complete with a few wins “The phone calls, visits to high schools, get into direct contact with them.
game to the Red Sox with a score of 0-4. And under our belt. sporting events, and prospective student’s
May 8 didn’t bring much joy to Minnesota homes are all part of the process,” Henderson
either, as the Twins lost to the Red Sox yet Maggie can be reached at said. “Emailing, sending letters, and getting Alexa can be reached at
again with a score of 5-9. Just like that, we maweiss@stkate.edu. them to visit campus are all things we have anchihos@stkate.edu.
I spent the next few days dizzy with little while. Ten minutes rolled by. No one
anticipation. When the day finally arrived, had even shown up with a Frisbee. I asked
I slipped into my short shorts, striped muscle myself, “Does anyone organize this?” I
tee, and sweatband. For the finishing touch wondered if there was possibly a different
before going out to battle, I smeared teal quad on campus. A passerby suggested that
acrylic paint under my eyes. (I later Googled I walk to the field behind St. Mary Hall to
the health hazards of putting acrylic paint look for people. No one was there either.
on your face and quickly washed it off). I Is my heart broken? Yes. But is my spirit
checked my watch and started my journey broken? Absolutely not. I will see you next
to the quad. This was my defining moment year, SCU intramural ultimate Frisbee.
as a human being—as a Wildcat.
Fast-forward three minutes. I am standing Heather can be reached at
Heather waits patiently for Ultimate Frisbee to begin. Photos by Jessica Jones. in the quad alone. I decided to wait for a hakolnick@stkate.edu.