Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams at BSU

A Deeper Look at Equality of BSU Hockey

By Tony Barber & Max Hodgdon

Men’s and Women’s hockey are popular sports here in Bemidji, Minn, particularly at Bemidji State University. Title IX, a federal mandate, requires that men’s and women’s athletic programs receive equal treatment in terms of financial support and participation from students. BSU, like many other campuses, has never been in full compliance with Title IX. In fact, the men’s track and field team was recently cut because of Title IX, even though it was financially self-sustaining. Division I hockey was untouched, even though there have been inequities.

“I think that the men get more media attention and community support,” said Marlee Wheelhouse, a BSU women’s hockey team member. Head Coach of the BSU women’s hockey team, Steve Sertich, explained that other programs have gained support through incentives for attendance at games. For example, the University of Wisconsin recently had an incentive for people to attend their women's hockey game against the University of Minnesota, where they drew approximately 10,000 people,  “I would like to look at different ways to get our students over here to watch" said Sertich. “We have to come up with ways to entice people to come over and see what we have to offer." Sertich never mentioned the incentive that the University of Wisconsin used.

 Both teams are given the same building to play in, the same facilities to train in, and same accommodations on the road. The women's team has 23 players and four coaches; the men's team has 35 players and four coaches. When asked about equality for men and woman’s hockey neither Serratore nor Sertich seemed aware of any equality issues pertaining to the teams. Several players had the same feelings, including men’s hockey team member Matthew Read: “I do believe both men's and women's hockey teams are treated equally,” he said. “Each player’s needs are met and we both only get what is needed. There isn't much I would change.”

The women’s team is forced to play at 2:07 p.m. however, when the men’s hockey team is in town.  Fewer people are likely to attend, because of work and other obligations. This could be a reason that the men have more support than women.

During the current fiscal year men’s hockey has made a profit of $23,442 as of February 6, 2011. The women currently break even. The men's coaches are paid more, but, according to Bill Maki the vice president of finance and administration, “The tenure of the men’s coaches at BSU has been longer than the women’s coaches."

 “Operating costs are a bit higher for FY2011 for men's because of the entry fees we need to pay the WCHA for our first three years of membership,” said Maki. Aside from this fee that the men have to pay; operating costs are identical. Both teams are awarded $248,000 in scholarships. The women's players are given more per person because there are fewer players on the team. The Sanford Center brings in nearly a quarter of a million in advertising revenue from signs and ads around the rink. All of this money goes to the men's hockey team and the women don't get any of this money, even though they play in the same rink. The men's team far and away out sells the women's team in tickets. This is where men's hockey team makes the $23,442 profit. The women's team makes up for low ticket sales from donations from Alumni, Beaver Pride, and other private supporters. They have donated $766,185 during the current season, and all of it goes towards the women's team.

Photo 1: Both men’s and women’s BSU hockey teams play in the highly respected WCHA Conference. Photo by Max Hodgdon 

Photo 2: A photo of center Ice at the new Sanford Center, home of the Bemidji State University Beavers. Photo by Max Hodgdon

Title IX Enforced at BSU

Budget Cuts Affect Men’s Track and Field Team

By DJ Haffely and Maggi Stivers

John Muenchow runs in the Beaver
Twilight meet on February 17th.

Like most other public universities in Minnesota, BSU is experiencing financial problems. As a result, some things will have to change. It has been announced that men’s track and field will be cut at the end of this season to become move toward compliance with Title IX. “I know it has to be done,” said Tara Bender, BSU social work student, “but its keeping people from coming to BSU.”  BSU’s sports are out of balance with Title IX and adminstators are struggling to solve it.

Title IX states that, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

This diagram outlines the 3 prong in which a school must
meet in order to be compliant with Title IX

 Rayla Allison, associate director of the University of Minnesota School of Kinesiology, in an email interview, explained that Title IX athletic analysis uses 13 component areas. These 13 components include effective accommodation of interest and abilities (the three- pronged test), scholarships, recruiting, travel and per diem, practice and competitive facilities, publicity, coaching, locker rooms, equipment and supplies, academic support and tutors, scheduling of games/practices, dining and housing facilities and support services. 



The basic prongs of the effective accommodation of interest and abilities  component of Title IX are to have equal proportions, showing growth, and meeting the needs of the student body, although a school only has to comply with one prong.  Eric Forsyth, a BSU sports  management professor, explained that for a school to be in compliance  with the “equal proportions” segment, the total percentages of men and women  in the athletic programs should reflect the percentages of enrolled students. 

 In fall 2010, BSU had 2,579 female undergraduate students comprising  52% of the student body and 2,347 males (48%), according to a document entitled  fall 2010  thirtieth day headcount of enrollment. BSU had 422 student athletes  participating in the 2009-10 school year; There were 259 male athletes (61%) and 163 female (39%) athletes and approximately 35 of those men belong to the BSU’s men’s track and field team. BSU offers nine women’s sports and four men’s sports. After men's track and field is cut the men’s sports offered at BSU are going to be baseball, basketball, football, and golf. Basketball, cross country, golf,  soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball are offered for women. Men and women both have divison one hockey teams at BSU.  To be in compliance with Title IX, BSU should not have such a disparity in the number of sports. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) requires a 5 to 5 sport ratio or a 4 to 6 sport ratio whereas BSU has a 4 to 9.  

The Twilight Track Meet held
 in Bemidji on February 17th.

The second prong is that your athletic program must be showing progress   towards the “equal proportions” requirement. If the ratio is closer than it was in the past year, the second prong of Title IX is met.

Saint Cloud State University is also not in compliance with Title IX. According to Allison, the SCSU undergraduate ratio is 50% male and 50% female, but their sports have a ratio of 61% male and 39% female, a similar ratio to BSU. “Students of SCSU voted to pay more to keep all sports,” said Hannah Swift, copy editor and staff editor for the University Chronicle. If SCSU keeps all their sports, they will still be out of compliance with Title IX.  “Let me say," said Allision I have yet to find a college or university in Minnesota compliant, though I have not analyzed all."

There are serious consequences for ignoring Title IX. Forsyth explained that if a school doesn’t follow the rules, the consequences could be anything from state funding for athletics being pulled to seasons being suspended. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation Web Site “Current estimates are that 80% or more of all colleges and universities are not in compliance,” according to the Women’s Sports Foundation Most of those cases, though, are not serious enough to suffer consequences. So why was it imperative to cut BSU’s men’s track and field?

Nde Anye (Prince Aloh) warms up for the Twilight Meet.

Forsyth believes that for BSU to stay in the NSIC and  become one hundred percent compliant with the first prong, BSU will end up cutting more sports in the future or increasing roster numbers for women's sports. Cutting the BSU men’s track and field team and possibly other programs may not be appropiate to meet the letter of the law.  “However I can say this…the federal law does not mandate any school to cut a program in order to become compliant," Allison wrote. That would be an administration decision not a legal decision. In fact the federal regulations of Title IX discourage an administration from cutting programs,” stated Allison. 

The twelve other components are also important to be in compliant with Title IX. BSU is not in compliance with many of the other prongs which includes fininical requirments.

Photos By DJ Haffely and Maggi Stivers

Good Luck Parking

Parking fees and lack of spots makes parking on campus one big headache

By Frank Panzer and Andy Brown

The start of a new semester is always a time for excitement and a new found interest in learning.  That is until you have to pony up the dough for a parking pass and hope it doesn’t break the bank.  You have multiple options when purchasing your parking passes, options that vary in cost from $99.43 all the way to $341.75 for one academic year. 

                                                         Photo By Frank Panzer

  G1 and G2 permits are the most commonly purchased permits on campus, permitting you to park in most of the lots on campus.  The limited reserve, the most expensive option, allows parking in any lot and guarantees you a spot somewhere on campus.  You can purchase your permit on the second floor of Deputy Hall at the “cashier’s window.”  However they don’t want students getting confused, parking permits are not a money making scheme for BSU, the money made is being used beneficially.  The profit goes into the obvious things, general parking lot maintenance, snow removal, line painting, the usual parking lot amenities.  Some of it, as well as parking ticket money, goes back into BSU Public Safety, cars, gas, uniforms, training, and other every day operating costs.  Knowing these things might make it a little easier to open up the wallet.

You could also compare us to other colleges and universities in the state and BSU officials think we have it pretty easy.  U of M Duluth has passes ranging from $143 all the way to $459 depending on your parking preferences and status in the school.  St. Cloud State offers a parking plan of 1 dollar per hour up to 8 hours a day.  That means if you spend most your time on campus you could end up spending almost 700 dollars a semester.  St. Cloud does however offer much better public transportation options than Bemidji does, including buses running all day long to and from free parking lots.  Now these lots are not just for school students use so it can be really hit and miss on finding a spot.

Senior Chelsea Lindner's thoughts on the parking passes, " I don't buy a permit, I'd much rather walk from home.  The exercise is good for you."  When asked why she doesn't drive and park on the street she answered "I used to do that, but most days I would end up walking further from my car to campus than I'd be walking from my house.  I figure save some money, save some gas, and lose some pounds."   

                                                        Photo By Andy Brown

These comments were reinforced by many off campus students except for one parking permit purchasee.  Aaron Thibert, Senior Criminal Justice major told us that he "absolutely hates the cold!  I don't care what I have to pay to avoid those blistering walks to and from school.  When it's zero or below it, I'm sorry I refuse to walk any farther than from my car in Bangsberg lot to Bangsberg to grab the tunnels."   Is he getting ripped off?  No.  He is being handed an option of convenience by BSU at what they feel is a fair and payable amount for a college student.

Online Courses

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes

By Andy Brown and Frank Panzer

            The road to graduation is no walk in the park for any student at Bemidji State University. Homework, papers, projects, and tests bring a lot of stress to any college student, but the stress can reach another level for students who take online courses. These students don’t get the classroom and face to- face time as the students who take their classes on campus do. Online courses are extremely helpful for students who have full- time jobs and don’t have the time to attend class while holding a steady job. Online courses allow you to do your homework whenever you have the time. This is by far the greatest advantage.

                                                            Photo By Frank Panzer

There are a lot of different reasons students take online courses. Most of them are because they have to hold a steady job and only have time for class at night. Kari Sarych, who is majoring in special education, said “Online courses have allowed me to work during the day and take classes at night. It seems like I have two full time jobs with school and 8-4 job.” Kari Sarych also said that “it can be easy to forget about your classes because you have to do it on your own time and remember to log in and check out what you have to do for the day.”

            Senior Brian Alexander, majoring in Criminal Justice has taken more online courses than he cares to count.  When asked why he responded, "honestly, because I am lazy and really don't want to leave the convenience of home." 

A "lazy" student enjoying learning in the warmth of his home on a cold Bemidji day.

                                                        Photo by Frank Panzer

He continued by saying "it's really nice if you aren't a huge fan of the professor instructing the course."  Although online classes can be a bit more costly for students, anywhere from 50-200 dollars, this does not deter many students from taking these courses.  For Zack Fulmer, a GIS major, the reason he has never taken an online course is because, "all the classes I need are offered on campus and  I would much rather have that in class experience and face time with my professors." 

            Online courses have its advantages and disadvantages depending on the students needs. Essentially you are getting the same college degree but online students face a uphill battle with no face time with professors.  Senior Computer Science major Bryan Washenberger put it best, "I'll walk in the cold for a few minutes to get what I feel is a better more personal education." So although the debate will continue it is merely a matter of convenience and personal preference.

A Prairie Home Companion Coming to Bemidji

Garrison Keillor Chooses John S. Glas Over Sanford

By John Hanson and John Andringa

January 24, 2011

Bemidji, MN — You may want to stay off the ice on Lake Bemidji on Saturday as busloads of first-time ice fishers come up from the Twin Cities. "A Prairie Home Companion" is sponsoring “Invitation: Ice Fishing In Bemidji.” The trip includes a bus ride up from St. Paul to Bemidji, two nights at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites, a bonfire on the shore of Lake Bemidji, four hours of ice fishing, a walleye dinner, a “Logger’s Breakfast,” and sleigh rides.

On Saturday, Feb. 12, Garrison Keillor and his cast will be broadcasting "A Prairie Home Companion" live at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse. At press time, the "A Prairie Home Companion" marketing director, David O’Neil, had not returned calls and emails as to why the show will be performed at the John S. Glas instead of the larger venue, the Sanford Center. An email from the Bemidji city clerk on behalf of the mayor’s office stated, “Garrison Keillor wanted to have it at the John Glas and worked with BSU on the event. We are hoping at some future date he will have one at the Sanford Center.”

While working with "A Prairie Home Companion" management to set up the venue, Duane Biehn, associate director of campus recreations at the Gillett Recreation-Fitness Center, said, “'A Prairie Home Companion' wanted to keep to the theme of a campus tour so they are performing at the John Glas Fieldhouse.”

Garrison Keillor is a Minnesota born author, storyteller, and radio legend. He has written over a dozen books, but is most well known for his weekly radio broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion", which began in 1974, a variety radio show which includes the monologue “News from Lake Wobegon” about a fictitious town in Minnesota.


Currently, the show is broadcast to more than four million listeners on 590 public radio stations across the United States and internationally. "A Prairie Home Companion" will continue the tour at the University of Minnesota Morris and other cities across America.

Tickets are still available for students for $15 with an ID at the Hobson Memorial Union desk. 

John S. Glas Fieldhouse, the venue for "A Prairie Home Companion" in Bemidji on Feb. 12, 2011. 

Poster for "A Prairie Home Companion" 

Giving the Northern Student an Evaluation

Students want Improvement to the Newspaper


By Raielle Peterson and Jillian Gandsey

Taking a closer look into the Northern Student over the past years has shown not only improvements, but also how times have tremendously changed. Some of the basic layouts, photographs, advertisements and special features have improved but the paper has struggled to maintain its importance to the students.  Editor-in-Chief Elisa Boettcher declared, “We have lost a lot of people wanting to be a part of the newspaper. A lot of people know that print is a dying art.”

                                                                                  

“It's hard to say whether it has gotten more or less popular,” said Kim Powel, staff writer. I think when we have a strong story on the front, more people tend to read it,” said Kim Powell, a staff writer from the newspaper.  The Northern Student is seemingly a reliable and interesting newspaper. However, it may only attract certain crowds toward all that it has to offer.

Comparing the Northern Student’s current newspaper to one from ten years ago, the changes were definitely noticeable. For the most part, the layout of articles, pictures and advertisements were organized in a similar style. They are also still maintaining features such as the general news, sports, weather, a university calendar and a section where student opinions are heard. All of these are generally the same in our current paper but they are slightly enhanced to fit our generation.

Boettcher was asked about the Northern Student’s special features she stated that last year they tried to do “Pieces of the People” and that was more poetry and literary work.  “We struggled with that and I wish we could bring it back,” she said.

When reviewing the older newspapers there were quite a few variations compared to the more recent versions. One obvious difference was that the advertisements took up a greater amount of space a decade ago compared to the current advertisements, which are much smaller but they also use the space given to them more efficiently.

Horoscopes and classifieds are two features that seem to have been forgotten by the Northern Student over the years. Classifieds are still available for student use, but no one seems to be aware that you just need to call in and ask.

Talking to some students in the union shows the paper could use some improvements, mainly in advertising.  Most of the information received back was that the majority of students didn’t know much of anything about the newspaper.  Powell added, “I was just talking to someone yesterday who had no idea where they could get a newspaper. There are bins all over campus, but apparently no one sees them.”

She also said, “I would like to see better advertisement for the Northern Student itself across campus. Our writing is getting stronger, and our layout is improving. We actually have a pretty strong newspaper but unfortunately it goes unread.”

The Northern Student is another component being affected by the bad economy and a not so generous budget.  Besides that, Boettcher said that she would also like to see a little more dedication from the BSU students. 

The Northern Student

   

Seniors, Mara Gilbertson and Kayla Meskan, reading the Northern Student. 

More Than Just A Quiet Place

“Knowledge Promotes More Questions.”
Stuart Rosselet, chair, of the department of the library and library services.

By Cheyenne Horien

Google. It’s a college student’s best friend. No matter the assignment, anything you need to know is just milliseconds away, thanks to the search engine’s increasingly fast key-word based hunts. However, with faster speed comes new problems. Reliability becomes an issue. Multiple sources become an issue. Advertisements become an issue. While the benefits of using the Internet as a resource may at first glance seem to be the more convenient option, are there benefits offered at our campus library that outweigh the Internet?

Perhaps.

One such benefit comes from the staff, who are there for “helping people sift through information,” according to Stuart Rosselet, the Chair of the Department of the Library and Library Services. Linda Sutherland, Government Publications and Processing Technician, agrees, adding, “The librarians’ main focus is on providing reference services to our students, either individually or in groups. They (librarians) have years of experience in this capacity.” And having a trained helping hand is just one of the features that will cut down your search time.

Sitting in the heart of campus, the A.C Clark Library offers a location where students can find peace and quiet, away from all the distractions a dorm room can have. “People like the space,” said Rosselet. “They like the convenience of where we’re located.” Besides study space, the library offers one of the most-used computer labs on campus. Rosselet added that since the library was supplied with brand new computers this past summer, there has recently been an increase in students' use of the library.

One of the most important benefits the library offers that the Internet does not, according to Sutherland, is “one-on-one research instruction, whether it involves printed material, microforms or on-line materials.” The hands-on, face-to-face approach is something that the Internet just cannot compete with.

If you’re still not convinced that the library is more convenient than search engines, simply sign onto the library’s homepage and begin your search using the online catalogs, research guides, online resources and more. As of Jan. 3, 2011, the library’s new Web site is available. According to the Web site, it has been redesigned with the hopes “that the new design will allow you to more quickly locate and access the resources you’ve grown accustomed to using." The library extends to more than just its physical location, allowing users to browse through a multitude of other universities libraries' online resources as well.

Besides having 14, 461 items checked out over the 2008-2009 school year, the library sees approximately 577 people in and out of it’s doors a day during the academic year. A busy campus staple, the A.C. Clark Library is available to help you on your educational journey. As Rosselet put it, “Knowledge promotes more questions.”


The A.C. Clark Library, located in the heart of campus.

      

The Reference Desk, home to faculty willing to help narrow your search.

Click here for a look at the library's new Web site: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/library/