September 5, 2013

Thursday, September 5, 2013 News MSU Reporter • 1

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FEATURE STORY: Pondering the unknown in Syria - page 4 EDITORIAL .......... 4VARIETY ...............7SPORTS ................ 9

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Escalating tuition rates frozen for two years

Minnesota State Colleges and Universitiy students get a temporary reprieve from soaring tuition costs.

RYAN BERNDTStaff Writer

With the ever-growing cost of tuition, students across the country are forced to take up cumbersome jobs and take out more loans than ever before. With students facing an unparalleled amount of fi-nancial stress, the recent news of a tuition freeze across the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system for two years instituted on June 19th brought a sigh of relief for the more than 200,000 students enrolled in public colleges and universities statewide.

The freeze means that with the help of the state govern-ment, tuition rates for MnS-CU campuses cannot increase for any reason in the next two years. In fact, according to the MnSCU system, increased

funding for the Pell Grant program means that students who are recipients will end up paying less out of pocket next year.

Additionally, changes to the state grant program will allow a 35 percent increase of beneficiaries in colleges, and 21 percent in universities.

With the average cost of tu-ition at $7,344 for Minnesota state universities, and $5,360 for two-year colleges, this is welcoming news.

“Although it’s a sigh of relief,” Sophomore Ceciley Johnson says. “I’m worried that tuition will go up sub-stantially after the freeze to compensate.”

Johnson is currently working as a Personal Care Assistant, but is on the hunt for a second job to help with paying for tuition.

Are Johnson’s fears legiti-mate?

What will happen after the freeze?

According to a report pub-lished shortly after the freeze, more than half of the $250 million spending increase for higher education passed by the Senate will go directly towards keeping campuses afloat, ensuring that tuition won’t substantially increase after the freeze.

The future, however, is always unpredictable when it comes to funding state col-leges and universities.

With enrollment expected to decline, and prices for room and board steadily increasing, tuition very well may increase by a noticeable amount.

FREEZE • Page 2

A weekend to celebrate diversity2013 PRIDEFEST will feature local bands, artists and drag queens.

After a summer of ac-complishments, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgen-der community of Mankato will celebrate the 12th annual Mankato PRIDEFEST.

Mankato PRIDEFEST 2013 is planned Sept. 6-7. The celebration will begin with a “Queer-aoke,” Friday night at 7. While the location hasn’t been decided, the event is con-sidered an annual tradition.

Saturday’s schedule is full. The Mankato Pride Parade will begin at 11:15 a.m. The

parade will begin at the Blue Earth County Library, contin-ue down Riverfront Drive, and end on the festival grounds in Riverfront Park. Attendees are invited to create floats, march along, or cheer from the sidewalk.

PRIDEFEST will continue at Riverfront park from noon to 5 p.m. PRIDEFEST will feature music, food, exhibi-tors, a rainbow health tent, dance classes, kids crafts, inflatable fun activities and more.

Saturday night’s highlight is a Pride Dance Party. The event will give participants a

chance to enjoy fun activities.Tickets will be $5 in ad-

vance or $7 at the door. You must be over 18 to attend, and 21 to drink.

If you do plan on attend-ing the events, there are some rules you need to be aware of. Mankato does not allow Pets at Mankato parks, including Riverfront Park.

LGBT Director at MSU Jessica Flatequal looks for-ward to a great weekend.

“We usually expect around 2,000-2,500 people, depend-ing on the weather. We assume it is going to be awesome out,” Flatequal said.

SAM WILMESNews Editor

PRIDEFEST• Page 2

Web PhotoA couple celebrate Mankato PRIDEFEST in 2012. 2013 marks the 13th year of the celebration.

Web PhotoMnSCU has instituted a two-year tuition freeze, impacting more than 200,000 students across the state.

2 • MSU Reporter News Thursday, September 5, 2013

Unfortunately, those who aren’t qualified to receive the various grants and Financial aid offered by the government to help pay for tuition might be forced to take out more loans and pick up more hours at work. This may provide students with a life lesson, as students will be hit with reality as they’re required to check on their finances and make sacrifices for the future.

“Paying attention to finances really comes down to a very simple concept that choices we make today play a big part in determining what resources we have avail-able tomorrow.” Director of Student Financial Services at MNSU Jan Marbles said.

“When we take out loans, we agree to pay for the privi-

lege to use money that isn’t ours; it can be a very wise choice over the long run, but it could just as easily turn into a financially disastrous choice if we aren’t paying attention to how much we owe and whether we can afford to pay it back.”

With loans being distrib-uted shortly, will you spend them on school related ex-penses or for the weekend? As Marbles explained, what you do now with your finances will hurt you in the future if you aren’t smart about how you spend today.

But thanks to the work of the Minnesota Senate and MnSCU, we can rest easy knowing our tuition will be secured, albeit for two years.

TUITION “Paying attention to fi-nances really comes down to a very simple concept that the choices we make today play a big part in what resources we have tomorrow.”

continued from 1

PRIDEFEST “In these times it takes courage to support LGBT lives open and honestly, and every LGBT person who has the courage to do so, along with our treasured allies, should see themselves as taking part in something larger than us.”continued from 1

“Every LGBT person who has the courage to do so, along with our treasured allies, should see

themselves as taking part in something larger than us”.”

- Jessica Flatequal, LGBT President

MSU program receives state funds

The Minnesota State University, Mankato Depart-ment of Social Work has been awarded another contract by the Minnesota Department of Human Serves to offer Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program, adding the un-dergraduate program to the contract.

According to a university press release, MSU became the first university in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to receive a contract to offer graduate level Title IV-E Child Welfare stipend program.

Both undergraduate and graduate students will be funded by the social work program.

The $255,168 contract award will ensure that nine master of social work students and 13 bachelor of science students in the social work program will receive 2013-2014 academic year stipends.

MSW students receive over $10,000 annually, and BSSW students receive slightly more than $2,000 every semester they are enrolled in the pro-gram.

Additional contributions from the Department of Social Work and the College of Social

“You don’t have to be a LGBT center to enjoy the festivities.”

“There is something for everyone,” Flatequal said.

“There will be Local bands, artists, exhibitors, lawn games, a kids activity tent, food and bever-ages, and of course, drag queens.”

“We strongly encourage our allies to come out for the festival, and hope to have the best turnout ever in the wake of our marriage equality win this year. It should be very jubilant to say the least.”

Flatequal equates the event with something larger than any one individual.

“In these times, it takes courage to support LGBT lives openly and honestly, and every LGBT person who has the

courage to do so, along with our treasured allies, should see themselves as taking part in something larger than any one

of us,” Flatequal said.Music will be a big part

of the celebration. Drag diva Gosh Alice Jones will per-form. “The Frye” will also perform, followed by perfor-mances from the Jena Marie

Band, along with gender-bending per-formances.

Sophomore Allison Mc-Donald is also looking for-ward to spend-ing time down at the festival. “There’s a lot of fun stuff to do,” McDonald said. A Social Work major, McDonald

looks forward to having fun on the weekends. It’s nice to have a little fun on the weekends.”


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MSU program receives state fundsStipend helps Social Work program, as well as families in need.

SAM WILMESNews Editor

The Minnesota State University, Mankato Depart-ment of Social Work has been awarded another contract by the Minnesota Department of Human Serves to offer Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program, adding the un-dergraduate program to the contract.

According to a university press release, MSU became the first university in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to receive a contract to offer graduate level Title IV-E Child Welfare stipend program.

Both undergraduate and graduate students will be funded by the social work program.

The $255,168 contract award will ensure that nine master of social work students and 13 bachelor of science students in the social work program will receive 2013-2014 academic year stipends.

MSW students receive over $10,000 annually, and BSSW students receive slightly more than $2,000 every semester they are enrolled in the pro-gram.

Additional contributions from the Department of Social Work and the College of Social

and Behavioral Sciences bring MSU’S Child Welfare Stipend Program to nearly half-a-mil-lion dollars.

According to a press release, MSW students selected to receive stipends include Jade Blekestad, Macey Deslaures, Chad Ellis, Kelly Froehle, Danielle Jones, Kelly Kjarland, Benjamin Kolling, Lucy Ma-tos, and Katrina Ohmann-Thai.

BSSW Students receiving stipends include Kari Albrecht, Danielle Barten, Tiffany Breckenridge, Randi Calla-han, Elishua Crocker, Rachel Ellison, Haley Forsyth, Ariel Johnson, Tricia Larson, Jenna Latour, Melissa Mann, Lori Nelson, Katelyn Reiner, and Megan Winter.

The stipend comes with stip-ulations. The agreement signed with the stipend involves the graduated student seeking and accepting employment in the county, tribal, or state public child welfare position for a specific amount of time.

The contract holds that the Department of Social Work will be paid back for costs of administration, and for the development of undergraduate and graduate level child wel-fare will be paid back for costs of administration, and for the development of undergradu-

Web PhotoMelissa Manns, Kari Albrecht, Ariel Johnson and Debra Gohagan of the Social Work Program.

of us,” Flatequal said.Music will be a big part

of the celebration. Drag diva Gosh Alice Jones will per-form. “The Frye” will also perform, followed by perfor-mances from the Jena Marie

Band, along with gender-bending per-formances.

Sophomore Allison Mc-Donald is also looking for-ward to spend-ing time down at the festival. “There’s a lot of fun stuff to do,” McDonald said. A Social Work major, McDonald

looks forward to having fun on the weekends. It’s nice to have a little fun on the weekends.”

TUITION • Page 5

STAFFFALL 2013

POLICIES & INFORMATION

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• The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a student-run newspaper published twice a week, coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Reporter generates 78 percent of its own income through advertising and receives approximate-ly 22 percent from Student Activities fees. The Reporter is free to all stu-dents and faculty, but to start a sub-scription, please call us at (507) 389-1776. Subscriptions for the academic school year are $35.00 and subscrib-ers will receive the paper within three to five days after publishing.

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“Do you support the United States’ involvement in Syria?”

Compiled byYohanes Ashenafi

JOHNATHAN BISLEW

“No. We can’t be the world police.”

MEGAN VELDHUIZEN

“I don’t feel like I know enought about the situation to make a judge-ment but I think we should stay out of another war.”

JOTE LIMENEH

“I don’t support the U.S. going into Syria because I believe that war is never the answer.”

JEFF STOCKER

“I don’t support our involvement in Syria.”

YOUSEF MOHAMED

“No, because the U.S. cannot be the police of the world.”

4 • MSU Reporter Thursday, September 5, 2013

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Email the Editor in Chief:[email protected]

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Pondering the unkown in Syria

The questions still surrounding the looming conflict in Syria speak to the need to work with other countries.

LUCAS RYANStaff Writer

President Barack Obama will make one of the most important decisions of his presidency when he decides how the United States will re-spond to Syria’s use of chemi-cal weapons.

A bill put forth by the president to use military ac-tion in response to the Syrian government forces’ poison gas attacks, including an August 21 attack that killed more than 1,000 people, gained biparti-san support from the Senate Tuesday.

There is evidence that the Syrian Government car-ried out poison gas attacks, but Syrian President Bashar al-Assad still denies being responsible.

United States intelligence has gathered enough evidence of the use of chemical weap-ons in Syria to warrant Presi-dent Obama asking Congress for approval to using military force in Syria.

The Senate Foreign Rela-tions Committee will look at the bill today, and, if ap-

proved, will be voted on by the House of Representatives, giving the final go-ahead to re-spond to Syria with a military attack.

After long wars in Afghani-stan and Iraq, potential United States involvement in Syria is causing many Americans to be skeptical about the prospect of the United States’ involvement in another country.

There must be a response to the prohibited use of chemical warfare on a civilian popula-tion, but there has got to be a better approach than the U.S. launching airstrikes against the Syrian military.

President Barrack Obama voluntarily chose to get congressional approval before responding to Syria.

This kind of thinking should now be used with working with the rest of the world. Our government’s lead-ers should seek out approval, as well as help with interna-tional matters.

It is not the United States’ job to punish the rest of the world. This should be some-thing that is done with the rest of the world’s help and ap-proval.

As of now, North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the United Nations are unwilling to give support for an attack against Syria.

Gaining the support of the rest of the world seems important before responding with an attack that could cause retaliation from the Syrian Government.

When Assad and the Syrian Military used poisonous gas, they did not abide by sev-eral international regulations, including the United Nations Charter and the Geneva Con-vention. It should be possible to charge and punish Assad for his crimes in an interna-tional court. This seems like the most logical route, but this is not the the path the U.S. is planning to use.

My biggest concern with the United States’ decision to respond to these attacks is the unknown. How long will this conflict last?

Will this make the United States safer?

How will the rest of the world respond to these attacks, including China and Russia, who are allies of Syria?

What are the criteria for

success on this mission? The senate’s resolution

included a limitation that does not authorize the use of United States Armed Forces on the ground for the purpose of combat operations, but in the Senate hearing Tuesday, Secretary of State John Kerry backed away from saying that military action in Syria is not an option in the future, caus-ing more ambiguity.

Uncertainty is the biggest problem with this situation. With Kerry leaving the door open for U.S. troops on the ground in Syria, and a bill giv-ing the president the ability to extend the attacks an extra 30 days still on the table, leaves no specifics, and makes me wonder how this situation will play out.

The U.S should choose very wisely in their response to Syria. All uncertainties and questions will be answered soon. I just hope those answers are positive for the United States and the rest of the World.


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TUITION continued from 3ate and graduate level child welfare coursework.

The $255,168 contract more than doubled last year’s awarded amount to the pro-gram of $125,680. Last year also brought significant funds from the College of Social and Behaviorial Sciences and the Department of Social Work. The combined total from 2012-2013 amassed $248,898.

According to the news re-lease, the Title IV-E Child Wel-fare Stipend Program’s goal is to “Support the recruitment, education, and/or retention of a well-prepared public child welfare work force to enhance state to offer this program.”

Professor of Social Work Debra Gohagan is pleased with the contributions from the state.

“My feelings are very posi-

tive- it is enough to either make a dent in tuition or room and board,” Gohagan said.

“At the graduate level it it pays almost all of their expens-es. It makes their life easier.”

According to Gohagan, the money also helps students in a professional sense.

“The stipend allows me to send them to training they wouldn’t otherwise receive. We can provide specialized care they wouldn’t otherwise receive.”

Keeping students in the social program was a hard task before the stipend, partially be-cause of the natural toughness of the field, partially because of the costs.

Social workers often have to work with some of the hardest cases around- moms and dads struggling with drug depen-

dency, obstinate kids, and other factors that can be hard to deal with.

“We had difficulty keeping well-trained professionals,” Gohagan continued.

The stipend has been in use nationally since the early 1970’s.

In the end, Gohagan con-tends that the winners of this will be the families.

“There will be less turn-over, which means families are getting better care, not only here, extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

“This is such a win-win for all involved,” Associate Profes-sor Robin Wingo said.

“We have an opportunity to help students all the way around.

Obama Gains Key Republican Ally For Involvement in Syrian Conflict

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Tuesday he’s confident Congress will authorize a military strike in Syria, and he won the support of House Speaker John Boehner, who said acting

against Syria was some-thing “the United States as a country needs to do.”

Boehner, Congress’ top Republican, emerged from a White House meet-ing with Obama and told reporters the U.S. must

respond to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons. Boehner said only the United States has the capa-bility and the capacity to stop Assad and warn others around the world that such

actions will not be toler-ated.

Obama’s meeting with congressional leaders was part of his push to win over support for his request for authorization for limited military strikes against

Assad. He indicated he is open to changing the lan-guage to address lawmak-ers’ concerns, but urged them to hold a prompt vote.

“So long as we are ac-complishing what needs

SYRIA • Page 6

President Barrack Obama is confident congress will approve Syria action .

6 • MSU Reporter News Thursday, September 5, 2013

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to be accomplished, which is to send a clear message to Assad, to degrade his capabilities to use chemical weapons, not just now but also in the future, as long as the authorization allows us to do that, I’m confident that we’re going to be able to come up with something that hits that mark,” Obama said.

With war-weary Ameri-cans skeptical of sparking another long-winded inter-vention, Obama tried to as-sure the public involvement in Syria will be a “limited, proportional step.”

“This is not Iraq, and this is not Afghanistan,” Obama said.

Boehner’s support is key; however, Republicans in Congress do not speak with one voice. Some tea party-backed Republicans are among those who have expressed skepticism.

After a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, polls show most Americans opposed to any new mili-tary action overseas. That reluctance is being reflected by senators and representa-tives, some of whom say Obama still hasn’t pre-sented bulletproof evidence that Assad’s forces were responsible for the Aug. 21 attack. Others say the presi-dent hasn’t explained why intervening is in America’s interest.

The meeting in the Cabi-net room included Boehner, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Mitch Mc-Connell, along with other members of leadership and the heads of the committees on armed services, foreign relations and intelligence. Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey also at-tended before heading over to Capitol Hill for testi-mony later in the day before the Senate Foreign Rela-tions Committee. A clas-sified briefing open to all members of Congress was to take place as well.

Obama won conditional support Monday from two of his fiercest foreign policy critics, Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

A congressional vote against Obama’s request

“would be catastrophic in its consequences” for U.S. credibility abroad, McCain told reporters outside the White House following an hour-long private meeting with the president.

But despite Obama’s effort to assuage the two senators’ concerns, nei-ther appeared completely convinced afterward. They said they’d be more inclined to back Obama if the U.S. sought to destroy the Assad government’s launching capabilities and committed to providing more support to rebels seeking to oust Assad from power.

“There will never be a political settlement in Syria as long as Assad is win-ning,” Graham said.

McCain said Tuesday he is prepared to vote for the authorization that Obama seeks, but the Arizona Republican also said he wouldn’t back a resolu-tion that fails to change the battlefield equation, where Assad still has the upper hand.

In an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show, Mc-Cain called it “an unfair fight” and said that if the authorization for U.S. mili-tary intervention doesn’t change the balance of power, it “will not have the

desired effect.”Sen. Robert Menendez,

D-N.J., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he be-lieves the panel will back Obama if the administra-tion explains “the full case” for the use of force as well as what it sees as the end result. “Not acting has huge consequences,” Menendez said on “CBS This Morn-ing” Tuesday.

“It sends a message” not just to Syria, he said, but to Iran, North Korea and ter-rorist groups.

After a Labor Day weekend spent listening to concerned constituents, Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said the administration needed to make its case on these points, if only to counter the misinformation and conspiracy theories circulating about Obama’s plans.

“Several people asked me if we were only inter-ested in getting Syria’s oil,” Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Rela-tions Committee, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “It’s important that Americans get the facts.”

Petroleum is hardly the most pertinent question. Even before Syria’s hostili-

ties began, its oil industry contributed less than half a percent of the world’s total output. And Obama has expressly ruled out send-ing American troops into Syria or proposing deeper involvement in the Arab country’s violent civil war.

But such queries are a

poignant reminder of the task awaiting the adminis-tration as it argues that the United States must exert global leadership in retaliat-ing for what apparently was the deadliest use of chemi-cal weapons anywhere over the past 25 years.

SYRIA “Obama’s meeting with congressional leaders was part of his push to win over suppport for his re-quest for authorization for limited military strikes against Assad. He indicated he is open to changing the lan-guage to address the lawmaker’s concerns, but urged them to hold a prompt vote.”continued from 5

Thursday, September 5, 2013 MSU Reporter • 7

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BY JAMES HOUTSMAA & E Editor

Mankato theater junkies will have 16 reasons to paint the town red this week.

Starting Thursday night, the Minnesota Shorts Play festival will be celebrating its fifth anni-versary of bringing short stories to life in the area. At 15 minutes or less, the two-night festival will feature eight stories a night, the topics of which ranging anywhere from a 70th school reunion to a Cowboy attempting to help a frazzled father herd his kids across the Mall of America.

Thursday night is Minnesota night – eight stories written by Minnesota natives, one of which, “Night Lights” by Whit-ney Rowland of Minneapolis, will be directed by MSU’s own Theatre Major Morgan LeClaire

and will feature a cast of MSU theatre students.

Friday night branches out into National night, featuring submissions from playwrights all across the country, such as Mark Harvey Levin and Donna Hoke.

Audiences on both nights will have the opportunity to vote for the best play of the evening, with the winning cast receiving a $100 prize.

As a celebration of its fifth year, the festival is cutting ticket prices in half ($5) for all high school and college students.

The Minnesota Shorts Play festival takes place this Thurs-day and Friday night, 7:30 p.m., at Mankato West High School auditorium.

Meanwhile, a teaming of two musical forces is coming to campus.

On Thursday, Twin Cities

folk guitarist Papa John Kolstad will be performing with virtuoso harmonica player Clint Hoover at the E.J. Halling Recital Hall.

Kolstad is known as a pioneer of the Twin Cities folk circuit in the ‘60s,as well as a regular performer on A Prairie Home Companion and a fixture on the East Coast folk circuit.

Hoover is one of the premier jazz harmonica players around. The Minneapolis Star Tribune describes him as a “soulful solo-ist,” and Richard Hunter, author of Jazz Harp, calls Hoover “one of the best and most inventive players of the blues around today.”

Together they will set the night ablaze, Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Halling recital hall in the Performing Arts building. Tickets are $11 for students with valid MAVcards and $12 for regular admission. Tickets

can be purchased at the door or at the music box office before noon.

Shorts and RiffsSeptember 5 and 6 boast a strong duo of entertainment options in Mankato.

photo courtesy of Greg Abbottweb photo

A still from the short “Weiner Dog Worries” (top)Kolstad (left) and Hoover (right) (bottom).

BY ANDREW SIMONStaff Writer

Scandal hits so many televi-sion tropes and clichés that it’s nearly sinful but it juggles them so obnoxiously well, and moves at such a quick pace that the viewer is completely sucked into the show because the ride was so gratifying.

Ascribing Scandal the term ‘guilty pleasure’ fits the show quite nicely, as it’s not par-ticularly well written or exceed-ingly clever, but there’s simply something about the show that is intoxicating.

Politics come with scandal and with scandal comes Olivia Pope & Associates, a firm label-ing themselves as “fixers” who sweep in and save the day, or for public image purposes, save face. Two-timing husbands, clos-eted gay male senators, election riggings, a presidential affair, assassination attempts, black mail, alleged rape, bad guys do-ing their baddest bad guy deeds in the name of patriotism, double

identities, etc. Every storyline from a 24 or West Wing episode is on full display but given the Shonda Rhimes twist -- meaning repeated-to-death catchphrases, speedy dialogue and more soap opera drama than one can stomach.

These aren’t new stories being told, so why is Scandal so ad-dicting? Front and center, Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, the woman who has an answer for everything, fixes everything and carries herself with a confidence rarely seen in characters. It’s Washington who owns this show and as the series progresses and another layer of her shielded exterior breaks down, she’s given plenty of strong, emotional, pow-erful moments to play with.

Another character that completely takes over the screen is one of her associates, Huck (Guillermo Diaz), an ex-assassin-for-hire who’s dealing with the trauma of his experiences day by day. Sometimes lucid, other times catatonic, Huck is always a surprising character, weaving between warm and sweet and

gloomy and threatening. Both Olivia and Huck are damaged people, their past experiences having changed them and ripped parts of their humanity, and it’s in these two interesting charac-ters that the series really holds its own.

Also worth a mention is Cyrus (Jeff Perry), the White House chief of staff and presi-dents right hand man. Cyrus is the type of character who tells someone what’s what, or if need be, shouts them off from their high horse. With all the chaos that comes with season two events, Perry has some greatly satisfying beats to chew on as each new catastrophe wreaks havoc in the White House, Watching Perry play this exas-perated presidential aid dealing with each new problem is one of the series’ great joys, imbu-ing the character with the most amount of humanity and honesty of the lot.

But it’s also the breakneck storytelling speed that compels the viewer to want more. Of the two seasons streaming on Netf-

lix, season two is the show at its best, doing away with “case of the week” episodes that plagued its freshman outing.

Split into two arcs, both dealing with a conspiracy that, if revealed, would tarnish the integrity of the White House and cause universal political uproar, the season is engaging from be-ginning to end. There are illegal dealings threatening to boil to the surface, a life-and-death situ-ation with the president, shady organizations lurking in the background and an affair close to being publicized. Whereas it’s thrilling to have some twist or mind-boggling moment to end each episode, there is a potential danger in burning through the story by working at this speed, but for now, it works to the series’ benefit.

The writing can occasionally become irritable, coming across as a poor Aaron Sorkin-wan-nabe, brimming with superfluous dialogue and catchphrases which overstay their welcome (“the white hat”, “gladiators in suits”). Then there are the characters

who feel undefined, like Presi-dent Fitzgerald Grant, the com-mander in chief that everyone looks up to in awe for his inge-nuity and integrity, neither of which are adequately displayed onscreen. He walks and talks like any other President, never becoming this idolized figure of hope Olivia, Cyrus and the pub-lic see him to be. It doesn’t help that actor Tony Goldwyn never entirely knows how to be this character either, his demeanor and attitude never consistent with the sole exception of, well, being an ass.

For all its embracing of tele-vision tropes and not boasting the best writing in the land, what Scandal is, is fun. Watching Olivia and her crew deal with each new problem coming out of Washington, and at the speed at which she meets these problems, the series is wholly engaging and once the second year gets going, there’s never a dull moment.

Thrilling and compelling, Scandal is Netflix binge worthy at its best.

Netflix Addiction: Scandal is a sinfully guilty pleasure

8 • MSU Reporter Variety Thursday, September 5, 2013

BY JAMES HOUTSMAA & E Editor

Now You See Me (September 3)

Now You See Me didn’t do too poorly for itself in theaters but it feels like a movie that’s bound to do even better on video and cable, partly because of how it’s made.

That can be taken either way.The movie is a bit of light,

zippy, summer fun on a modest budget with most of the money likely going towards assembling a cast of all stars to play off each other. Unfortunately, for all we know, that money looks to have been siphoned out of the writing portion, leading to a script that features bad dialogue, flat characters and a problem-atic twist. It’s not a terribly bad movie but it’s not a terribly good one either.

If you find yourself with two hours to kill, you can do a lot worse than Now You See Me.

Rent It

Star Trek Into Darkness (Sep-tember 10)

Star Trek Into Darkness was one of my top anticipated mov-ies this year. I honestly couldn’t wait for the next outing in J.J. Abrams’ revamped universe to hit home like the first movie did. What I got was fun -- simply fun.

Looking back now, I prob-ably should have scanned over who was in charge of the script in order to readjust my expecta-tions. Damon Lindelof’s name on the roster should have been a better indication that the movie would have hollow, stolen mo-ments from previous Star Trek movies, a massively mishandled villain, and less of a punch to it overall.

Into Darkness is still a fun movie, to be sure. Everything looks and sounds top notch and the cast continues to play off each other exceedingly well. I’ll be kicking myself on my oversight in the writing aspect for a while but STID is still one totally re-watchable movie.

Paramount is just about the best studio putting out Blu-Rays right now. The picture is always gorgeous, the sound rocks (quite literally) and the special features are plentiful, especially in this case (if you choose the right retailer). Take into account that the 2D combo pack is still selling for the super-reasonable pre-order price of $19.99 and Star Trek Into Darkness bumps itself up to...

Must Own!

World War Z (September 17)

It’s surprising to think back now on how far World War Z flew under the radar beforehand and how high over my expecta-tions it delivered after.

Nothing should have worked here -- an ever-ballooning budget to a trouble-some production, wild deviations to the source material, the direc-tor of Quantum of Solace at the helm, Brad Pitt in general,

Damon Lindelof contaminating the script’s ending-- it all should have combusted into fiery movie-death.

Guess what? It didn’t and thank whatever deity for that because the movie rocks.

World War Z is a lean, mean ride that keeps the tension up all the way through. There’s a perfect amount of grand-scale zombie spectacle and old-school survival horror at play through-out. Only the wrap-up falters but thankfully doesn’t detract from the efficient and exciting movie that came before.

There were some that be-moaned the lack of zombie gore we’re accustomed to these days in order for the movie to secure a PG-13 rating. These people should be pleasantly surprised to learn that the Blu-Ray release will contain an unrated cut to satisfy one’s need for dismem-bering and disemboweling.

In addition to the new cut, ex-pect the bevy of bonus features and pristine picture and sound of a Paramount release, as well as that oh-so-realistic price of $19.99.

Must Own!

Iron Man (September 24 – Rental, October 22)

What is arguably the best superhero movie of the summer makes it home video debut in the regular late September slot.

Shane Black’s take on the armored Avenger is much dif-ferent from what’s come before

and that’s a good thing. It’s still got a stellar cast and the zippy humor is better than ever but more importantly the character focuses are even stronger. For once it feels like you’re allowed to care about Tony and the gang, even if it’s still fairly certain they’ll make it out unscathed in the end.

Villains could still use some work, with the Extremis aspect of the show being rather underplotted and a twist with the Mandarin that’s still sitting dangerously in the 50/50 range.

Even with these gripes, Iron Man 3 has held up as the most enjoyable superhero movie of the year and one of my personal favorites of both the summer and 2013 in general. I’d be more than happy to purchase it on Blu-Ray (which I’m sure will look and sound magical), and with the bonus features added here, it may be one of the most acclaimed disc sets of this year. Included are several deleted scenes (a must because who doesn’t love more RDJ), a Marvel-One Shot featuring one of the best things about Captain America: TFA, Peggy Carter; a sneak peek at Thor: The Dark World, and, as they say, more!

Must Own!

September Blu-Preview

web photo

Thursday, August 29, 2013 MSU Reporter • 9

Email the Sports Editor:[email protected]

507-389-5227


@MSU Reporter orLike Us on Facebook


Young and inexperienced Mavericks are ready to start the Bahl era

After playing three exhibition games, the Minnesota State University, Mankato women’s soccer team is eager for the regular season to start. Their season starts at home this weekend with Truman State and Central Missouri

making the trip to Mankato. Last season, Central Missouri handed the Mavericks their only loss.

MSU Reporter ArchivesThe Mavericks went 1-1 this past weekend with a 1-0 loss to Fort Hays State and took a 3-1 victory over Washburn. Their first regular season ac-tion starts with Truman State visiting on Friday 4 p.m.

LUCAS RYANStaff Writer

It won’t be easy to improve after the best season in Maver-icks history, but that is the goal for Brian Bahl as he enters the first season as the head coach of the Minnesota State University, Mankato women’s soccer team.

Over the weekend, the No. 6 Mavericks traveled to Topeka, Kan. for two exhibition games. MSU went 1-1 losing the first game to Fort Hays State 1-0. The Mavericks then concluded their preseason schedule with a

3-1 win over Washburn, finish-ing their exhibition season with a 2-1-0 record.

“I think playing the two exhibition games against divi-sion II opponents was a very good thing,” Assistant Coach Ben Jones said. “Especially Fort Hays, with them they were returning all their players and being in the NCAA tournament it was a good test for us to see where we’re at.”

Sophomore forward Korey Kronforst scored the first goal of the game against Washburn on Sunday. The goal came on an assist from senior forward Courtney Vallarelli, giving her two assists this preseason. The scoring continued when the Da-ktronics second-team all-region player, senior midfielder Tori Meinhardt, added a second goal after a pass from Emily Morris. Kari Becker assisted the third goal, which came off the foot of Kronforst, giving her three goals in three games this preseason.

“It was good to see us

improve each match so far this preseason with half the team being freshman and not a lot of experience back. It is good to see us getting better each game,” Jones said.

The Mavericks will have a lot of new faces getting playing time this year. There will only be five starters returning from last year’s NCAA Elite Eight team. The team will lean on these returning starters, but will also rely on players like Korn-forst, who was not a starter, to have big seasons this year.

“There are not a lot of people that have gotten a lot of playing time because we are a really young team. I think that we are all really close, so that will help. We work well together and we are still building on that today,” Kronforst said.

As last year’s loss in the Elite Eight went to overtime to become a tie officially, the Mavericks put their 21-match unbeaten streak and 25 home-match unbeaten streak on the line this weekend. MSU is 12-6-0 in season openers and has not lost an opening match since 2006.

In addition to 11 freshmen joining the team, the Mavericks

brought in two junior defenders who both at one point played for the University of South Dakota.

From Waconia, Minn., Re-becca Pederson played two years with the Coyotes. She was the outside midfielder her freshman year then changed to a defender for her sophomore year. Before college, Pederson was a two-time all-conference selection for

Waconia High School.After just playing two games

in her freshman year at USD, Morgan Worley transferred to St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul where she had 12 shots on goal. As a senior in high school,

Worley earned an Honorable Mention All-Suburban East pick when competing for Woodbury High School.

MSU will kick off their regular season at 4 p.m., Friday, when they host Truman State. The Mavericks have an all-time record of 3-7-0 against the Bulldogs and 1-1-0 in opening games against Truman State. Last year the Mavericks opened the season with a 2-1 victory at Truman State. The Bulldogs will have the edge in experience, re-turning 17 letterwinners, includ-ing seven starters, but will have to travel to Mankato where the Mavericks have been undefeated the last 25 games.

The Mavericks play their second of two games hosting no. 11 Central Missouri at 12 p.m. on Sunday in a rematch of the Sweet Sixteen game from a year ago. The Jennies will look for revenge from the 5-4 shootout loss they suffered to the hands of the Mavericks in last year’s post season. The Mavericks hold a 3-4-2 all-time record against the Jennies and lost their only regular season game to Central Missouri a year ago.

“They will be tough games, but we are ready for the chal-lenge and to get going,” Jones said.

Korey Kronforst

Courtney Vallarelli

Tori Meinhardt

Women’s Soccer Newcomers # Name Position Year 2 Sidni Trotter Defender Fresh. 6 Morgan Storch Midfielder Fresh. 11 Maddy Smith Forward Fresh. 12 Karah Jolly Forward Fresh. 14 Dana Savino Midfielder Fresh. 15 Kate Boyd Forward Fresh. 17 Laura Pivovar Midfielder Fresh. 18 Karissa Prpich Forward Fresh. 20 Laura Schwickerath Midfielder Fresh. 21 Kiana Nickel Midfielder Fresh. 28 Rebecca Pederson Defender Junior 29 Morgan Worley Defender Junior 32 Erin Wren Goalkeeper Fresh.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

JOB BOARD

Service Clerk - Mankato, MNAre you looking for a challenging career in a fast paced technology driven company?

If so, HickoryTech could be the company for you!

HickoryTech, a premier communications solution provider, connects businesses and consumers with advanced, integrated communication solutions in Minnesota, Iowa and the upper Midwest. As HickoryTech builds on over a century of success, our mission is to be our customers’ best choice for progressive communication services that enrich how they work and live.

The successful candidate will troubleshoot, diagnose and resolve telephone and digital TV customer repair issues over the phone, striving for first call resolution. Additional responsibilities include monitoring customer provisioning and network irregularities, coordinating with other departments to process service orders, entering database information and processing reports.

Minimum qualifications include a two year degree in business, or the equivalent in experience, customer service experience and computer proficiency. Strong organizational skills along with a high level of accuracy, excellent communication skills. Proven track record in providing high-quality customer service, strong numeric aptitude, problem solving skills and the ability to maintain confi-dentiality. Telephony and service order experience preferred.

Apply today and see how our exciting and challenging environment can be the place for you!

HickoryTech offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Qualified candidates can ap-ply on-line at http://www.hickorytech.com/careers or send resume and cover letter to:

HickoryTech CorporationHuman Resources

P.O. Box 3248Mankato, MN 56002-3248

Fax: (507) 386-0700EOE M/F/D/V

HIRING NOW!TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH & WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH

5:00-7:00pm - On The Spot InterviewsLooking for eager, energetic, self-motivated staff

to work in a fast-paced and fun environment.We are a full-service restaurant, bar, and catering business with

flexible scheduling in a friendly atmosphere!Stop in at the fair or call to set up an interview (507-389-8999)

BUSTER'SMANKATO

BUSTER'SSPORTS BAR & GRILL

Applications available online at www.BustersBar.com

Buster's Job Fair

NOW HIRING COOKS & SERVERS

Please apply in person.

(507) 726-6801151 W.Humphry Street, Lake Crystal

Like working with Kids?

Call to learn more! 507-387-5620

NOW HIRING FOR: PARAPROFESSIONAL

SUBSTITUTESISD 77 Mankato Schools

PT, On call, M-F $9/hr.

High school/GED andbackground check required

CUSTODIALWORK4-8 hours

Morning, Afternoon or Evening$10.75 per hour

Call Jan or Greg(507) 345-5311

IS NOWHIRING

KITCHEN STAFF &

SERVERS

414 S. Front St., Mankato507-388-7767

Must be available to work mornings, nights & weekends. Experience is preferred, but not necessary.

Please apply in person Monday-Wednesday.

HIRING COOKSPart-time Nights &

WeekendsContact Tanya

at 507-267-4025.

Just Off Hwy. 60 in Elysian, MN20 MINUTES FROM MANKATO

Thursday, September 5, 2013 MSU Reporter • 11

507-389-1776

5 OR 4 OR 3 OR 2 OR 1 bedroom houses/apartments. Available right now. Some for next year. Many to choose from. Check out our website. www.ottoH.com owner/agent or call 507-625-1010. 6/19

WE ARE A LOVING, FUN FILLED FAMILY OF 3. Live in western Minneapolis suburbs. We are home study approved. Interested in an open adoption. Open to multicutural adoption. Learn more and contact us at: http://www.adoptingmn.

com. 888-446-1143. Email: [email protected]. 10/24SECONDHAND BOOKSTORE & EXCHANGE, South Front St. across from Fillin’ Station Coffee house. All types of leisure reading. Browsers welcome. Once Read. 388-8144 Mon-Sat 10 to 5pm. 9/5

FREE SHOTOKAN KARATE classes offered Monday 6-8pm. Tuesday 7-9pm. Thursday 6-8pm. Room PH 102. Beginners are welcome. Need not to be a MSU student to join. For info call Brad @ 507-388-5301 or [email protected] or search MSU Shotokan on facebook or yahoo groups. 5/1

FOR RENT MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES

MISCELLANEOUS

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Hot Foodat Lunch

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NOW HIRINGDirect Support Staffto help up to 4 individuals

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B&R Auto and Truck Salvage, Inc. is the leading salvage yard in Southern Minnesota with 45 acres of used parts!

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12 • MSU Reporter Advertisement Thursday, September 5, 2013

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September 5, 2013