By: Staff

A large fire consumed a deli, day care center and auto body shop on University Avenue Southeast early Thursday morning. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the two-alarm fire is under investigation but it seems to have started in the auto body shop, said Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel. Fire crews arrived around midnight and as of 9 a.m. were still extinguishing hotspots, according to a press release from Assistant Chief Cherie Penn. 

The affected building, at 2812 SE University Ave., contains Sabrina Grocery and Deli, Milano Childcare Center and Jeff’s Top Line Auto Body. Police and Fire department officials said the roof of the auto body shop collapsed and at least six cars were destroyed.

The building is insured for about $1,298,000, according to a Meridian Insurance spokesman.

Loud pops could be heard inside the flaming auto shop, which Fruetel attributed to exploding paint cans and other flammable materials.

David Barnhart, who owns the building and two adjacent properties with his son Jeff, said there were flammable materials stored in the shop, but they were stored safely.

Police cleared away spectators and evacuated houses behind the building over concerns a radio tower anchored to the building would collapse. The tower, at least 200 feet tall, later crumpled in on itself and Prospect Park residents were able to return to their homes.

“We were all worried about [the tower] and it started to lean and everybody was backing away and we were moving people and all of a sudden — just like an accordion — it collapsed right into itself," Barnhart said.

Moayid Al Subhi, a University of Minnesota computer science sophomore, said he used to go to Sabrina for Ethiopian food every day with other international students.

“It’s a big loss for international students," he said, "especially Muslim students."

Late Thursday morning, community members and business owners gathered at the scene. Heaps of rubble were still smoking as firefighters tried to move destroyed vehicles — "hot spots" where more fires were likely to start.

Samson Ifonlaja, co-owner of Jeff’s Top Line, said the loss of the building is a big loss for the neighborhood.

“It was more than just these businesses," he said. "It was really a community center.”

Meghan Holden, Roy Aker, Cody Nelson and Tony Wagner contributed to this report.

By: Staff

A large fire consumed a deli, day care center and auto body shop on University Avenue Southeast early Thursday morning. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the two-alarm fire is under investigation but it seems to have started in the auto body shop, said Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel. Fire crews arrived around midnight and as of 9 a.m. were still extinguishing hotspots, according to a press release from Assistant Chief Cherie Penn. 

The affected building, at 2812 SE University Ave., contains Sabrina Grocery and Deli, Milano Childcare Center and Jeff’s Top Line Auto Body. Police and Fire department officials said the roof of the auto body shop collapsed and at least six cars were destroyed.

The building is insured for about $1,298,000, according to a Meridian Insurance spokesman.

Loud pops could be heard inside the flaming auto shop, which Fruetel attributed to exploding paint cans and other flammable materials.

David Barnhart, who owns the building and two adjacent properties with his son Jeff, said there were flammable materials stored in the shop, but they were stored safely.

Police cleared away spectators and evacuated houses behind the building over concerns a radio tower anchored to the building would collapse. The tower, at least 200 feet tall, later crumpled in on itself and Prospect Park residents were able to return to their homes.

“We were all worried about [the tower] and it started to lean and everybody was backing away and we were moving people and all of a sudden — just like an accordion — it collapsed right into itself," Barnhart said.

Moayid Al Subhi, a University of Minnesota computer science sophomore, said he used to go to Sabrina for Ethiopian food every day with other international students.

“It’s a big loss for international students," he said, "especially Muslim students."

Late Thursday morning, community members and business owners gathered at the scene. Heaps of rubble were still smoking as firefighters tried to move destroyed vehicles — "hot spots" where more fires were likely to start.

Samson Ifonlaja, co-owner of Jeff’s Top Line, said the loss of the building is a big loss for the neighborhood.

“It was more than just these businesses," he said. "It was really a community center.”

Meghan Holden, Roy Aker, Cody Nelson and Tony Wagner contributed to this report.

By: Staff

A large fire consumed a deli, day care center and auto body shop on University Avenue Southeast early Thursday morning. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the two-alarm fire is under investigation but it seems to have started in the auto body shop, said Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel. Fire crews arrived around midnight and as of 9 a.m. were still extinguishing hotspots, according to a press release from Assistant Chief Cherie Penn. 

The affected building, at 2812 SE University Ave., contains Sabrina Grocery and Deli, Milano Childcare Center and Jeff’s Top Line Auto Body. Police and Fire department officials said the roof of the auto body shop collapsed and at least six cars were destroyed.

The building is insured for about $1,298,000, according to a Meridian Insurance spokesman.

Loud pops could be heard inside the flaming auto shop, which Fruetel attributed to exploding paint cans and other flammable materials.

David Barnhart, who owns the building and two adjacent properties with his son Jeff, said there were flammable materials stored in the shop, but they were stored safely.

Police cleared away spectators and evacuated houses behind the building over concerns a radio tower anchored to the building would collapse. The tower, at least 200 feet tall, later crumpled in on itself and Prospect Park residents were able to return to their homes.

“We were all worried about [the tower] and it started to lean and everybody was backing away and we were moving people and all of a sudden — just like an accordion — it collapsed right into itself," Barnhart said.

Moayid Al Subhi, a University of Minnesota computer science sophomore, said he used to go to Sabrina for Ethiopian food every day with other international students.

“It’s a big loss for international students," he said, "especially Muslim students."

Late Thursday morning, community members and business owners gathered at the scene. Heaps of rubble were still smoking as firefighters tried to move destroyed vehicles — "hot spots" where more fires were likely to start.

Samson Ifonlaja, co-owner of Jeff’s Top Line, said the loss of the building is a big loss for the neighborhood.

“It was more than just these businesses," he said. "It was really a community center.”

Meghan Holden, Roy Aker, Cody Nelson and Tony Wagner contributed to this report.

By: Staff

A large fire consumed a deli, day care center and auto body shop on University Avenue Southeast early Thursday morning. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the two-alarm fire is unknown, but it seems to have started in the auto body shop, said Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel. Fire crews arrived around midnight and Fruetel said they would likely continue fighting the fire until morning.

The affected building, at 2812 SE University Ave., contains Sabrina Grocery and Deli, Milano Childcare Center and Jeff’s Top Line Auto Body. Police and Fire department officials said the roof of the auto body shop collapsed and at least six cars were destroyed.

Loud pops could be heard inside the flaming auto shop, which Fruetel attributed to exploding paint cans and other flammable materials.

David Barnhart, who owns the building and two adjacent properties with his son Jeff, said there were flammable materials stored in the shop, but they were stored safely.

Police cleared away spectators and evacuated houses behind the building over concerns a radio tower anchored to the building would collapse. The tower, at least 200 feet tall, later crumpled in on itself and Prospect Park residents were able to return to their homes.

Meghan Holden, Roy Aker, Cody Nelson and Tony Wagner contributed to this report.

By: Staff

A large fire consumed a deli, day care center and auto body shop on University Avenue Southeast early Thursday morning. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the two-alarm fire is unknown, but it seems to have started in the auto body shop, said Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel. Fire crews arrived around midnight and Fruetel said they would likely continue fighting the fire until morning.

The affected building, at 2812 SE University Ave., contains Sabrina Grocery and Deli, Milano Childcare Center and Jeff’s Top Line Auto Body. Police and Fire department officials said the roof of the auto body shop collapsed and at least six cars were destroyed.

Loud pops could be heard inside the flaming auto shop, which Fruetel attributed to exploding paint cans and other flammable materials.

David Barnhart, who owns the building and two adjacent properties with his son Jeff, said there were flammable materials stored in the shop, but they were stored safely.

Police cleared away spectators and evacuated houses behind the building over concerns a radio tower anchored to the building would collapse. The tower, at least 200 feet tall, later crumpled in on itself and Prospect Park residents were able to return to their homes.

Meghan Holden, Roy Aker, Cody Nelson and Tony Wagner contributed to this report.

By: Staff

A large fire consumed a deli, day care center and auto body shop on University Avenue Southeast early Thursday morning. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the two-alarm fire is unknown, but it seems to have started in the auto body shop, said Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel. Fire crews arrived around midnight and Fruetel said they would likely continue fighting the fire until morning.

The affected building, at 2812 SE University Ave., contains Sabrina Grocery and Deli, Milano Childcare Center and Jeff’s Top Line Auto Body. Police and Fire department officials said the roof of the auto body shop collapsed and at least six cars were destroyed.

Loud pops could be heard inside the flaming auto shop, which Fruetel attributed to exploding paint cans and other flammable materials.

David Barnhart, who owns the building and two adjacent properties with his son Jeff, said there were flammable materials stored in the shop, but they were stored safely.

Police cleared away spectators and evacuated houses behind the building over concerns a radio tower anchored to the building would collapse. The tower, at least 200 feet tall, later crumpled in on itself and Prospect Park residents were able to return to their homes.

Meghan Holden, Roy Aker, Cody Nelson and Tony Wagner contributed to this report.

By: Kevin Dorn, CEHD and Teach For America alumnus

As an alumnus of both the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development and Teach For America, I find the recent petition from 10 graduate students in CEHD against a potential partnership with TFA troublesome. As a native Minnesotan and a proud graduate and current Ph.D. student of the University, I’m compelled to share why collaboration between TFA and CEHD is a logical choice for our state.

Many in our state pride themselves on our excellent K-12 education system.

While Minnesota is home to some of the highest performing schools in the nation, the unfortunate reality is that our current system is failing many of our children. Teacher preparation programs are in a position of great power to change the status quo and ensure more dedicated professionals are ready and committed to teach in our highest-need schools.

TFA and CEHD share a common goal — to provide all students with the best education possible. As the state’s flagship institution of learning, we should be seeking partnerships with community organizations like TFA to find ways to learn from each other, not isolating ourselves from approaches or ideas that may be different from our own. CEHD should not perceive collaboration with TFA as a threat to our school of education. A partnership would only strengthen our already strong learning environment by infusing our student body with diverse teachers from across the country passionate about fighting for educational equality.

We should lean on our University’s core values to share knowledge, understanding, and creativity by providing a broad range of educational programs in a strong and diverse community of learners and teachers. Our campus’ community should not perpetuate false divides in education and learning, such as traditional vs. alternatively prepared teachers. This type of dialogue only distracts us from making sure all of Minnesota’s children are reaching their full potential.

As an institution of academic research, CEHD should be interested in trying innovative alternative methods in teacher preparation to fuel continuous learning. A partnership between TFA and CEHD can be one part of the solution as we collectively work to strengthen the educational opportunities we’re providing all of our children.

Kevin Dorn

CEHD and Teach For America alumnus

By: Janice Bitters

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents passed measures allowing in-state tuition for undocumented students and applications for alcohol sales on campus Wednesday during their monthly meeting.

During the two and a half hour meeting, the board also recommended a raise for President Eric Kaler, discussed University research and heard from University athletics director Norwood Teague.

DREAM Act passes

In a split vote, the board passed a resolution that will allow some undocumented students access to in-state tuition rates.

The Minnesota Legislature passed the bill known as the “DREAM Act” last May, allowing in-state tuition for undocumented students at other colleges and universities in the state. The bill requested that the University of Minnesota adopt a similar provision.

In order to qualify for in-state tuition, students must have attended a Minnesota high school for at least three years and received a diploma, according to Karen Hanson, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Hanson said the resolution “serves the public interest by creating a highly educated workforce to promote the cultural and economic development of the state.”

Undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition are also eligible for scholarships and state grant money.

The estimated cost of adopting the resolution for the University is $175,000, Hanson said. 

Regent Laura Brod, who voted against the measure, expressed concerns about the costs and with granting in-state tuition to undocumented students.

“It seems like then we are granting in-state tuition for those who are undocumented, but not in-state tuition for those who are documented,” she said.

New alcohol licenses

The Board unanimously approved three new alcohol license applications for University facilities, including Les Bolstad Golf Course and Northrop Memorial Auditorium.

The University Alcohol License Oversight Committee recommended the board approve the licenses after evaluating several factors, including each facility’s plan to prevent minors from buying alcohol, University Chief of Staff Amy Phenix said.

Several regents said they were concerned other campus facilities had not applied for an alcohol license. Regent Patricia Simmons mentioned the Weisman Art Museum in particular, due to the number of events held there.

With the regents' approval, each facility will now be able to officially apply for their alcohol licenses through the state, Phenix said.

Minnesota state law allows the University nine alcohol licenses. TCF Bank Stadium, Williams Arena, Mariucci Arena and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum all currently hold licenses, Phenix said.

Kaler donates raise

Last month, the board gave Kaler a glowing review, calling his performance “stellar.” This month, they announced a recommendation for a raise in recognition of his performance.

The board recommended a 3 percent raise for Kaler as he begins his third year in office. But, as he did last year, Kaler opted to re-route the funds toward undergraduate scholarships.

“While, as anyone might, I would appreciate a salary raise, my principal concern does continue to be access … to this university for qualified students…” he said.

Kaler’s donated raise will add approximately $18,000 to the general undergraduate scholarship fund, according to a University press release.

Look for more on the Board of Regents meeting in the Daily’s July 17 edition.

By: Janice Bitters

A study on University of Minnesota administrative spending  was released and reviewed by the Board of Regents Thursday. The study will be discussed in more detail Friday during the monthly regents meeting.

The 12-week study by Huron Consulting Group was mandated by the Legislature earlier this year.  The requirement was prompted by a December article in the Wall Street Journal that criticized the University’s administrative spending.

The 175-page report  outlined multiple opportunities for improvement, but also noted the University “is already undertaking major initiatives to promote efficiency and effectiveness and to reduce administrative costs.”

One of the main improvement areas the study pointed to is reporting structures between departments, saying the University – like many public research universities – operates as collection of departments, rather than a “unified enterprise.”

The report acknowledged administrative reporting structure changes the University has made to date but said the, “full benefits of improving alignment and reducing duplication have not yet been achieved.”

Huron Consulting also suggested the University review and job classifications  and update them to reflect current and accurate expectations for administrators.

The report focused on four key areas: finance, human resources, information technology and purchasing processes. 

Throughout the four areas, Huron Consulting suggested the University work towards consolidating certain internal processes , use new metrics to measure performance and need , and automate forms that are currently done via paper– like invoices and reimbursements .

The report concluded that overall, the University does not stand out among its peers for administration spending  in the four key areas. However, it also noted much of the data received from peer schools was incomplete or estimated .

In addition, Huron praised the University’s budget model, saying it, “promotes financial accountability for each unit and campus.”

Like another administrative study released earlier this year by Sibson Consulting Group, Huron’s report said the plan, “is a multi-year effort.” But in a March regents meeting, President Eric Kaler said he would move quickly to implement suggested improvements.

“We will put our foot on the gas,” he said.

In March the University received the results of a smaller study by New York-based Sibson Consulting, which determined the University’s ratio of managers to employees was low in some areas.

Between the two studies, the University has paid more than $540,000  in analyzing administrative spending.

The cost for the studies has drawn criticism from some legislators, including Representative Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona, who chairs the Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee.

“To spend an additional half-a-million dollars on something they already should have known is part of the U’s problem,” Pelowski told the Daily in March.

But Kaler said the costs were necessary to change the “status quo,” in the March regents meeting.

Sibson Consulting will continue an extended study for the University this year, according to a University press release. 

By: Janice Bitters

University of Minnesota Board of Regents committees met Thursday to recommend the full board approve President Eric Kaler's six-year capital improvement plan and his 2014 operating budget, which includes increased funding for mental health resources on campus. 

The Finance Committee discussed both short-term and long-term funding sources for the University’s $3.6 billion 2014 operating budget, which includes state appropriations, tuition and fee increases and redistributing funds between programs.

In addition to a 3 percent tuition increase for graduate and non-resident students at the University, the budget includes increased fees for specific courses and international students.

Some art classes and study abroad programs would see cost increases in the coming year, and international students would take on a new fee, said Julie Tonneson, associate vice president for budget and finance.

The fee for international students would be used to provide additional academic support for those students.

“This is really a fee designed to provide additional services to help these students be successful academically, so it would be for things like advising or tutoring…,” Tonneson said.

All students, will see a nearly $100 student services fee increase next year, due to the construction of a new recreational facility on the Twin Cities campus and increased funding for mental health services.

The Board of Regents Academic and Student Affairs Committee reviewed a presentation by Boynton Health Services Director Ferdinand Schlapper on current mental health issues facing students.

In his presentation, Schlapper noted a 9 percent uptick in Boynton Mental Health Clinic counseling services requests in the last 10 years. Schlapper said a correlation exists between students who are struggling mentally and lower grade point average. Currently, 27 percent of University of Minnesota students are diagnosed with at least one mental health issue.

Schlapper said some students who make appointments at Boynton Health Services may face up to a two-week waitlist period.

“If they have a two week wait for a series of mental health issues, that may be the end of their academic career,” he said.

Board of Regents chair Linda Cohen said she’d like to see preventative measures taken on the issue. She cited the possibility of freshman presented with more mental health service information during orientation.

Despite funding falling short at the end of this year's legislative session, the committee agreed to recommend funding the new ambulatory care facility and the last of a four-part biomedical facilities project on the Minneapolis campus.

If passed by the full Board, the nearly $300 million biomedical projects would receive more than $67 million in the coming year.