By: Kia Farhang

Two men broke up an assault after a man attacked a group of women when they refused to give him their pizza outside the Bierman Place Apartments early Friday morning.

The man was later arrested and booked at the Hennepin County Jail , according to a Minneapolis police report.

University of Minnesota communications junior Sarah Pearson said she and her friends were returning from Mesa Pizza when the 23-year-old suspect started following them and asking for their food.

“He was really aggressive about it,” Pearson said. “He was really drunk, I think.”

University police, who dealt with the incident, didn’t test the man’s blood alcohol content, said Deputy Chief Chuck Miner . They usually only test suspects who are underage or operating a vehicle.

The man punched Pearson’s friend in the face after she kept ignoring him, and then punched Pearson when she told him to stop.

Kinesiology senior Ben Wunrow said he and his friend saw the attack from across the street.

“There’s no reason that a guy should ever hit a girl,” Wunrow said. “We wanted to stop that.”

Wunrow and his friend tackled the suspect to the ground but not before he punched Wunrow in the jaw.

Both Wunrow’s and Pearson’s groups thought the incident was over, so they started walking away. But the suspect caught up with them and punched Wunrow’s friend.

At that point, police arrived and found the suspect shirtless and yelling in the street, the police report said. They booked him for fifth degree assault.

“I’ve never really felt unsafe at the U, even at night,” Pearson said. “This is the first time I felt like maybe I should be careful.”

Woman fights off robber

A woman fought off a robber late Saturday night near the corner of 10th and University avenues southeast, according to a Minneapolis police report.

The woman told police she saw the suspect ride a bike past her while she was talking on her phone. The man then turned around and rode up to her.

The suspect told the victim he was new in town, the report said. He asked her if she could make a call for him.

When the woman started dialing, the suspect knocked her to the ground and tried to take her phone.

The woman told police she fought the man and threw her coffee on his shirt. The man fled on foot, leaving his hat and bike behind. He didn’t take the victim’s phone.

Police found the woman with small cuts and scrapes on her legs, but she refused medical attention, the report said.

University police sent an email alert about the crime to all students, faculty and staff members Monday .

Miner said federal law requires the department to alert the University community when serious crimes happen within a block of University buildings or registered student organizations.

In this case, an email was sent because the crime occurred near student apartments and sororities, he said.

Minneapolis police Sgt. Bill Palmer said the attempted robbery is still under investigation.

Student arrested for disorderly conduct

Minneapolis police arrested a University student for disorderly conduct early Sunday morning on Fifth Street Southeast between 14th and 15th avenues southeast.

The student and another man were shouting at each other on the sidewalk, a police report said. An officer tried to break up the argument.

Palmer said the student told police he wouldn’t be handcuffed and kept pulling his hands away from the officer.

An officer eventually had to wrestle the student to the ground. The other man, who Palmer said was cooperative, wasn’t cited or arrested.

Suspects smash cars in University Avenue auto shop

Four men caused more than $2,000 in damage to cars in an auto body repair shop in Prospect Park on July 31 , according to a Minneapolis police report.

One of the suspects is a contractor who’d previously worked with Titan Auto and Tire Repair on University Avenue Southeast. He and another suspect had demanded money from the shop’s owner earlier in the week.

Palmer said no arrests have yet been made in the case.

David Samec , the only employee in the shop at the time of the incident, said four men came in the morning of July 31, asking for money they said the shop owed them.

Samec told the men he wasn’t the owner and didn’t know what they were talking about.

One of the men was holding something in his waistband, the police report said, which Samec said he thought was a gun.

Samec said the men told him to sit down and threatened to hurt him if he intervened.

“I didn’t want to get hurt,” Samec said. “I have a family.”

The four men smashed the windows of two cars left in the shop for repairs, then fled.

Dennis Browne , who owns the shop, said the men broke the windows of two cars — and smashed the mirrors of one — with hammers.

The repairs will be expensive, Browne said, because the type of glass used in the windows is rare.

After the incident, Samec said he’s worried about coming in to work.

“I was terrified,” he said. 

By: Kia Farhang

Two men broke up an assault after a man attacked a group of women when they refused to give him their pizza outside the Bierman Place Apartments early Friday morning.

The man was later arrested and booked at the Hennepin County Jail , according to a Minneapolis police report.

University of Minnesota communications junior Sarah Pearson said she and her friends were returning from Mesa Pizza when the 23-year-old suspect started following them and asking for their food.

“He was really aggressive about it,” Pearson said. “He was really drunk, I think.”

University police, who dealt with the incident, didn’t test the man’s blood alcohol content, said Deputy Chief Chuck Miner . They usually only test suspects who are underage or operating a vehicle.

The man punched Pearson’s friend in the face after she kept ignoring him, and then punched Pearson when she told him to stop.

Kinesiology senior Ben Wunrow said he and his friend saw the attack from across the street.

“There’s no reason that a guy should ever hit a girl,” Wunrow said. “We wanted to stop that.”

Wunrow and his friend tackled the suspect to the ground but not before he punched Wunrow in the jaw.

Both Wunrow’s and Pearson’s groups thought the incident was over, so they started walking away. But the suspect caught up with them and punched Wunrow’s friend.

At that point, police arrived and found the suspect shirtless and yelling in the street, the police report said. They booked him for fifth degree assault.

“I’ve never really felt unsafe at the U, even at night,” Pearson said. “This is the first time I felt like maybe I should be careful.”

Woman fights off robber

A woman fought off a robber late Saturday night near the corner of 10th and University avenues southeast, according to a Minneapolis police report.

The woman told police she saw the suspect ride a bike past her while she was talking on her phone. The man then turned around and rode up to her.

The suspect told the victim he was new in town, the report said. He asked her if she could make a call for him.

When the woman started dialing, the suspect knocked her to the ground and tried to take her phone.

The woman told police she fought the man and threw her coffee on his shirt. The man fled on foot, leaving his hat and bike behind. He didn’t take the victim’s phone.

Police found the woman with small cuts and scrapes on her legs, but she refused medical attention, the report said.

University police sent an email alert about the crime to all students, faculty and staff members Monday .

Miner said federal law requires the department to alert the University community when serious crimes happen within a block of University buildings or registered student organizations.

In this case, an email was sent because the crime occurred near student apartments and sororities, he said.

Minneapolis police Sgt. Bill Palmer said the attempted robbery is still under investigation.

Student arrested for disorderly conduct

Minneapolis police arrested a University student for disorderly conduct early Sunday morning on Fifth Street Southeast between 14th and 15th avenues southeast.

The student and another man were shouting at each other on the sidewalk, a police report said. An officer tried to break up the argument.

Palmer said the student told police he wouldn’t be handcuffed and kept pulling his hands away from the officer.

An officer eventually had to wrestle the student to the ground. The other man, who Palmer said was cooperative, wasn’t cited or arrested.

Suspects smash cars in University Avenue auto shop

Four men caused more than $2,000 in damage to cars in an auto body repair shop in Prospect Park on July 31 , according to a Minneapolis police report.

One of the suspects is a contractor who’d previously worked with Titan Auto and Tire Repair on University Avenue Southeast. He and another suspect had demanded money from the shop’s owner earlier in the week.

Palmer said no arrests have yet been made in the case.

David Samec , the only employee in the shop at the time of the incident, said four men came in the morning of July 31, asking for money they said the shop owed them.

Samec told the men he wasn’t the owner and didn’t know what they were talking about.

One of the men was holding something in his waistband, the police report said, which Samec said he thought was a gun.

Samec said the men told him to sit down and threatened to hurt him if he intervened.

“I didn’t want to get hurt,” Samec said. “I have a family.”

The four men smashed the windows of two cars left in the shop for repairs, then fled.

Dennis Browne , who owns the shop, said the men broke the windows of two cars — and smashed the mirrors of one — with hammers.

The repairs will be expensive, Browne said, because the type of glass used in the windows is rare.

After the incident, Samec said he’s worried about coming in to work.

“I was terrified,” he said. 

By: Jace Frederick

Antwan “Luv” Harris didn’t play basketball growing up, but now he’s one of the most successful youth coaches in Minnesota at age 40.

From future NBA talents to players just trying to earn a college scholarship, the University of Minnesota alumnus has influenced a variety of young men since the 1990s, including several who have later worn Gophers jerseys.

In 1995, Harris started coaching Howard Pulley, a Minneapolis-based team in the Amateur Athletic Union. The AAU is a competitive organization that attracts the nation’s top high school players.

He led Howard Pulley’s 17-and-under team to ESPN’s AAU national championship in Orlando in July — the team’s first ever title in the event.

His success with Howard Pulley has earned him the honor of coaching for USA Basketball six times.

Harris’ exuberant demeanor on the court has been a major influence on his players and a contributor to his on-court success.

“He’s really a powerful guy in terms of coaching just because he can really get the most out of a team,” said top local recruit Tyus Jones. “He’s a character.”

“Luv”

It’s just another week in the Howard Pulley Pro City League — a summer league that helps players sharpen their skills — for Harris and his Howard Pulley Academy squad.

This team, made up mostly of players from Harris’ AAU team, is participating as it usually does.

Most players in the city league, which includes current and former Gophers players, are older than Harris’ group of high schoolers.

And on this July night, HPA is playing without its two top players, Jones and fellow 2014 recruit Reid Travis, as both are away at a camp.

Harris’ team doesn’t win many games in this league even when it’s at full strength, but Harris always keeps his players ready to compete.

This afternoon, his guys keep the game within 15 points.

Harris is coaching just as he does in any big tournament. He is bickering at the referees, yelling at his players, chatting with the opposing team — all while making jokes and smiling.

With his squad trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter, Harris picks up a technical foul. It’s the first he said he’s received in a Pro City game.

To him, it’s clear the referee mistook his light-hearted complaining.

To everyone else, despite his team’s loss, two things become clear about Harris: He wants to win, and he’s going to have fun trying to do it.

“I can enjoy myself,” Harris said, “but at the end of the day, the kids have to work hard.”

Harris said he got the nickname “Luv” from an old Howard Pulley coach who “loved [Harris’] passion for the game.”

Harris said nearly everyone calls him “Luv” now, including his players. He said a lot of people don’t know his actual first name.

Harris’ players recognize and appreciate his passion.

“He gets us all hyped and excited,” Travis said. “He just brings so much fun to the game of basketball.”

Coaching journey

Harris wanted to be a football coach growing up.

He played football for Percy L. Julian High School, a powerhouse on the gridiron in Chicago. Harris won two state championships in high school and said the sport was his passion.

But in 1995, when he was looking to finish his coaching license and couldn’t find any open football positions, he was forced to try his hand at basketball.

“It wasn’t even on the radar,” he said.

That year, he was introduced to Rene Pulley, the program director for Howard Pulley.

Pulley said he created a third 16-and-under team for Harris to coach. He’s been with program ever since.

Harris said as a newcomer to basketball, he was often told to “shut up and listen” by Pulley and the other coaches.

“I took that as motivation to learn the game and to be able to coach,” Harris said. “I took that with pride and got after it.”

Harris experienced early coaching success on the court, and Pulley took notice.

Pulley said occasionally coaches on his higher-level teams had to miss tournaments, and Harris would step in and win.

“I realized that, ‘Wait a minute, he might have something,’” Pulley said. Pulley named Harris the coach of the top 17-and-under team 10 years ago. He said he’s seen Harris improve as a coach every year.

Harris has continued the team’s tradition of making the finals of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, the Peach Jam.

 He was an assistant coach for various medal-winning youth teams for USA Basketball in 2007 and 2009-12. He was promoted to head coach for the Nike Global Challenge in 2013, when he led his team to a bronze medal.

“It’s a huge honor,” Harris said of his coaching designations. “I’m humbled by it. I love it. But I feel I’ve earned it, too.”

He’s coached many talented players at Howard Pulley, including Jones, Travis, former Gophers player Rodney Williams and NBA player Royce White.

His former players said Harris’ coaching philosophy favors offense.

“He loves to score the ball,” Williams said. “The only way you’re going to see the bench is if you’re not scoring the ball.”

Balancing act

Although Harris is a devoted coach, his time with Howard Pulley is still just volunteer work.

Harris received his undergraduate degree in kinesiology and earned his master’s degree in applied kinesiology at the University of Minnesota.

He decided to teach physical education for one of the same reasons he coaches: he loves helping kids.

He worked in the Osseo and then Robbinsdale school districts for about 10 years before taking an administrative role in the Burnsville district. He’s now an administrator at Perpich Arts High School in Golden Valley, Minn.

With many AAU tournaments taking place on weekends in the spring, Harris said he has to take a lot of personal days from work. He said it’s difficult to balance his coaching and his professional life, but he enjoys both.

“It’s a lot of work,” he said. “It’s a lot of focus. But again, as far as helping kids, it works out pretty good.”

Building a family

Harris’ coaching job involves traveling with his players across the country to tournaments and building relationships with them.

“He means a lot to me,” said Jones, who’s known Harris since grade school. “He’s always looking out for me, no matter what it is.”

Harris said it’s his job to get his players in front of college coaches so they can showcase their skills.

He accumulated a lot of debt while in college, so he preaches the value of scholarships to his players.

Both Williams and White said they have stayed in regular contact with Harris since leaving Howard Pulley, and the conversations are often about more than hoops.

“We mostly just talk about life,” White said.

Rene Pulley said the program is a basketball family — a family  Harris greatly values being a part of.

“We get a chance to help students, help kids follow their dreams,” Harris said. “We get a chance to create a bond with a group of young men every year that lasts forever, so it’s priceless.”

By: Jace Frederick

Antwan “Luv” Harris didn’t play basketball growing up, but now he’s one of the most successful youth coaches in Minnesota at age 40.

From future NBA talents to players just trying to earn a college scholarship, the University of Minnesota alumnus has influenced a variety of young men since the 1990s, including several who have later worn Gophers jerseys.

In 1995, Harris started coaching Howard Pulley, a Minneapolis-based team in the Amateur Athletic Union. The AAU is a competitive organization that attracts the nation’s top high school players.

He led Howard Pulley’s 17-and-under team to ESPN’s AAU national championship in Orlando in July — the team’s first ever title in the event.

His success with Howard Pulley has earned him the honor of coaching for USA Basketball six times.

Harris’ exuberant demeanor on the court has been a major influence on his players and a contributor to his on-court success.

“He’s really a powerful guy in terms of coaching just because he can really get the most out of a team,” said top local recruit Tyus Jones. “He’s a character.”

“Luv”

It’s just another week in the Howard Pulley Pro City League — a summer league that helps players sharpen their skills — for Harris and his Howard Pulley Academy squad.

This team, made up mostly of players from Harris’ AAU team, is participating as it usually does.

Most players in the city league, which includes current and former Gophers players, are older than Harris’ group of high schoolers.

And on this July night, HPA is playing without its two top players, Jones and fellow 2014 recruit Reid Travis, as both are away at a camp.

Harris’ team doesn’t win many games in this league even when it’s at full strength, but Harris always keeps his players ready to compete.

This afternoon, his guys keep the game within 15 points.

Harris is coaching just as he does in any big tournament. He is bickering at the referees, yelling at his players, chatting with the opposing team — all while making jokes and smiling.

With his squad trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter, Harris picks up a technical foul. It’s the first he said he’s received in a Pro City game.

To him, it’s clear the referee mistook his light-hearted complaining.

To everyone else, despite his team’s loss, two things become clear about Harris: He wants to win, and he’s going to have fun trying to do it.

“I can enjoy myself,” Harris said, “but at the end of the day, the kids have to work hard.”

Harris said he got the nickname “Luv” from an old Howard Pulley coach who “loved [Harris’] passion for the game.”

Harris said nearly everyone calls him “Luv” now, including his players. He said a lot of people don’t know his actual first name.

Harris’ players recognize and appreciate his passion.

“He gets us all hyped and excited,” Travis said. “He just brings so much fun to the game of basketball.”

Coaching journey

Harris wanted to be a football coach growing up.

He played football for Percy L. Julian High School, a powerhouse on the gridiron in Chicago. Harris won two state championships in high school and said the sport was his passion.

But in 1995, when he was looking to finish his coaching license and couldn’t find any open football positions, he was forced to try his hand at basketball.

“It wasn’t even on the radar,” he said.

That year, he was introduced to Rene Pulley, the program director for Howard Pulley.

Pulley said he created a third 16-and-under team for Harris to coach. He’s been with program ever since.

Harris said as a newcomer to basketball, he was often told to “shut up and listen” by Pulley and the other coaches.

“I took that as motivation to learn the game and to be able to coach,” Harris said. “I took that with pride and got after it.”

Harris experienced early coaching success on the court, and Pulley took notice.

Pulley said occasionally coaches on his higher-level teams had to miss tournaments, and Harris would step in and win.

“I realized that, ‘Wait a minute, he might have something,’” Pulley said. Pulley named Harris the coach of the top 17-and-under team 10 years ago. He said he’s seen Harris improve as a coach every year.

Harris has continued the team’s tradition of making the finals of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, the Peach Jam.

 He was an assistant coach for various medal-winning youth teams for USA Basketball in 2007 and 2009-12. He was promoted to head coach for the Nike Global Challenge in 2013, when he led his team to a bronze medal.

“It’s a huge honor,” Harris said of his coaching designations. “I’m humbled by it. I love it. But I feel I’ve earned it, too.”

He’s coached many talented players at Howard Pulley, including Jones, Travis, former Gophers player Rodney Williams and NBA player Royce White.

His former players said Harris’ coaching philosophy favors offense.

“He loves to score the ball,” Williams said. “The only way you’re going to see the bench is if you’re not scoring the ball.”

Balancing act

Although Harris is a devoted coach, his time with Howard Pulley is still just volunteer work.

Harris received his undergraduate degree in kinesiology and earned his master’s degree in applied kinesiology at the University of Minnesota.

He decided to teach physical education for one of the same reasons he coaches: he loves helping kids.

He worked in the Osseo and then Robbinsdale school districts for about 10 years before taking an administrative role in the Burnsville district. He’s now an administrator at Perpich Arts High School in Golden Valley, Minn.

With many AAU tournaments taking place on weekends in the spring, Harris said he has to take a lot of personal days from work. He said it’s difficult to balance his coaching and his professional life, but he enjoys both.

“It’s a lot of work,” he said. “It’s a lot of focus. But again, as far as helping kids, it works out pretty good.”

Building a family

Harris’ coaching job involves traveling with his players across the country to tournaments and building relationships with them.

“He means a lot to me,” said Jones, who’s known Harris since grade school. “He’s always looking out for me, no matter what it is.”

Harris said it’s his job to get his players in front of college coaches so they can showcase their skills.

He accumulated a lot of debt while in college, so he preaches the value of scholarships to his players.

Both Williams and White said they have stayed in regular contact with Harris since leaving Howard Pulley, and the conversations are often about more than hoops.

“We mostly just talk about life,” White said.

Rene Pulley said the program is a basketball family — a family  Harris greatly values being a part of.

“We get a chance to help students, help kids follow their dreams,” Harris said. “We get a chance to create a bond with a group of young men every year that lasts forever, so it’s priceless.”

By: Jace Frederick

It felt like a sure thing that former Gophers forward Trevor Mbakwe would not only be selected in the NBA Draft in June but would also sign with a NBA team for his rookie campaign.

Then neither happened.

After going undrafted and playing limited minutes in the NBA’s two summer leagues, Mbakwe has signed with the Italian club Virtus Roma, according to a July 26 report by Sportando.net.

Mbakwe completed his senior season with the Gophers in March, averaging 10 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

The 6-foot-8-inch forward was projected to be taken in the second round of the NBA draft by numerous mock draft websites.

In summer league action with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors, Mbakwe averaged 2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 6.3 minutes per game.

Notable players to suit up for Virtus Roma in the past include Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings and Hall of Fame wing George Gervin.

By: Jace Frederick

Gophers junior center Mo Walker has received much of the local media attention for losing more than 45 pounds this summer.

But also impressive, and perhaps just as important, is redshirt freshman Charles Buggs’ weight gain.

As of mid-July, Buggs said he weighed 214 pounds, up 24 pounds from the 190 he weighed in May.

“[This summer’s] been productive,” Buggs said with a smile after the team’s fifth summer practice July 16.

The 6-foot-8-inch forward said he’s been eating four to five meals a day. He’s spent the majority of his summer on campus, returning home for less than a week.

Gophers strength and conditioning coach Shaun Brown, who was hired in April, said players work out on a voluntary four-day schedule in the summer. Fridays are generally off-days, but Buggs uses them to put in extra work.

“I wish I could say it was something top-secret,” Brown said. “He’s done a great job taking it day-by-day and working at it a little bit at a time.”

Head coach Richard Pitino said Buggs has the most upside of anyone on the team. He said the forward does things in practice that show “pro potential.”

Buggs’ length and athleticism should fit in well with Pitino’s up-tempo system. Buggs, an Arlington, Texas, native said he had a similar style in high school and likes running up and down the court.

Gophers fans saw glimpses of Buggs’ athleticism in pre-game warm-ups last season. He often put on a show for the crowd with flashy dunks.

“When he figures out how to play for me,” Pitino said, “he can be a very good player down the road.”

Buggs said he wants to reach the 220- to 225-pound range this summer. Brown said by the end of Buggs’ career, he could hold his weight in the high-230s to -240s.

“He’s a hell of an athlete,” Brown said. “There’s no restrictions with him on [his weight gain].”

Buggs said he can feel himself getting stronger every week as his weight increases.

Brown said it’s important for the athletes to see early success in the weight room. He said Buggs feels good, which only “stokes the fire” for him to keep working.

“He’s been really tuned into it, and I think he sees this is scratching the surface,” he said, “so we’ll just keep our fingers crossed and hope he keeps progressing at this pace.”

By: Roy Aker

No decision has been made on the proposed partnership between the University of Minnesota and Teach for America, but some graduate students said they believe an unofficial agreement has already been decided.

Nine graduate students met with College of Education and Human Development Dean Jean Quam and five members of the college’s administration July 11 to discuss the proposed partnership after penning a petition to CEHD expressing their opposition.

As of July 14, nearly 300 people had signed the petition, according to a press release from the graduate students.

According to the press release, Quam declined to make a decision by Friday on the partnership, as requested by the students, but said the college is “well into negotiations with TFA.”

In a July 15 email statement, Quam said “it’s important to note that CEHD continues to consider the possibilities, advantages and complexities of offering both TFA and traditional teacher education programs.”

Erin Dyke, a graduate student who co-wrote the collective statement against the partnership, said graduate students asked petition signers to call Quam’s office before the requested Friday deadline.

“They did basically tell us that they were in negotiations, so that made us think that [CEHD] has unofficially decided that they would partner and that they’re negotiating the terms at this point,” Dyke said. “That was our perception of the way that the dean was talking.”

The proposed partnership talks began after Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed a $1.5 million TFA earmark in the state budget in May.

While Dayton was nullifying the TFA earmark, TFA was negotiating with CEHD to design an alternative licensing program, taking advantage of a 2011 state law that allows the hiring and placement of teachers who haven’t completed all of the usual state certification tests and requirements.

“The legislation has really allowed us to think deeply — since it’s been passed — about what we would really want our program to look like and what this new law would provide,” said TFA Twin Cities Executive Director Crystal Brakke.

She said conversations between TFA and the University have “centered on the mutual goal of best preparing teachers for the schools that most need them.”

One issue that’s been contested between TFA and the graduate students is the five-week training program that TFA volunteers go through before entering the classroom.

The students’ petition said the session isn’t enough time to adequately prepare teachers.

Kevin Dorn, a University graduate student and alum of TFA in St. Louis, said that even though the five-week session is short, “the institute itself is very intensive.”

“Holistically I’ll say for TFA as an organization, you have to go back to thinking about what their goal is in any given region,” he said. “They came to Minnesota because Minnesota still has one of the worst achievement gaps in the country.”

Brakke agreed, saying it’s important to note the five-week session is just one part of the training volunteers undergo.

In addition to concerns about the training program, the press release from graduate students said “the partnership would contribute to the increasing privatization and exploitation of public schools in communities most affected by racism and state violence.”

Brakke said she disagrees with that statement, adding that TFA volunteers are “deeply committed to addressing those same issues of racism and equal opportunities for students.”

As tensions rise, it’s becoming more difficult for the two opposing sides to communicate their concerns, as well as what they have in common, Brakke said.

“I know that the graduate students at the University and at CEHD share so many of the same goals that I have, and so I would really love to be able to find a way to bridge some of the divides, real or perceived,” she said. “We’re all here for the same reasons.”

By: Roy Aker

No decision has been made on the proposed partnership between the University of Minnesota and Teach for America, but some graduate students said they believe an unofficial agreement has already been decided.

Nine graduate students met with College of Education and Human Development Dean Jean Quam and five members of the college’s administration July 11 to discuss the proposed partnership after penning a petition to CEHD expressing their opposition.

As of July 14, nearly 300 people had signed the petition, according to a press release from the graduate students.

According to the press release, Quam declined to make a decision by Friday on the partnership, as requested by the students, but said the college is “well into negotiations with TFA.”

In a July 15 email statement, Quam said “it’s important to note that CEHD continues to consider the possibilities, advantages and complexities of offering both TFA and traditional teacher education programs.”

Erin Dyke, a graduate student who co-wrote the collective statement against the partnership, said graduate students asked petition signers to call Quam’s office before the requested Friday deadline.

“They did basically tell us that they were in negotiations, so that made us think that [CEHD] has unofficially decided that they would partner and that they’re negotiating the terms at this point,” Dyke said. “That was our perception of the way that the dean was talking.”

The proposed partnership talks began after Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed a $1.5 million TFA earmark in the state budget in May.

While Dayton was nullifying the TFA earmark, TFA was negotiating with CEHD to design an alternative licensing program, taking advantage of a 2011 state law that allows the hiring and placement of teachers who haven’t completed all of the usual state certification tests and requirements.

“The legislation has really allowed us to think deeply — since it’s been passed — about what we would really want our program to look like and what this new law would provide,” said TFA Twin Cities Executive Director Crystal Brakke.

She said conversations between TFA and the University have “centered on the mutual goal of best preparing teachers for the schools that most need them.”

One issue that’s been contested between TFA and the graduate students is the five-week training program that TFA volunteers go through before entering the classroom.

The students’ petition said the session isn’t enough time to adequately prepare teachers.

Kevin Dorn, a University graduate student and alum of TFA in St. Louis, said that even though the five-week session is short, “the institute itself is very intensive.”

“Holistically I’ll say for TFA as an organization, you have to go back to thinking about what their goal is in any given region,” he said. “They came to Minnesota because Minnesota still has one of the worst achievement gaps in the country.”

Brakke agreed, saying it’s important to note the five-week session is just one part of the training volunteers undergo.

In addition to concerns about the training program, the press release from graduate students said “the partnership would contribute to the increasing privatization and exploitation of public schools in communities most affected by racism and state violence.”

Brakke said she disagrees with that statement, adding that TFA volunteers are “deeply committed to addressing those same issues of racism and equal opportunities for students.”

As tensions rise, it’s becoming more difficult for the two opposing sides to communicate their concerns, as well as what they have in common, Brakke said.

“I know that the graduate students at the University and at CEHD share so many of the same goals that I have, and so I would really love to be able to find a way to bridge some of the divides, real or perceived,” she said. “We’re all here for the same reasons.”

By: Cody Nelson

To combat sex trafficking in the Twin Cities, Metro Transit officials are looking to train bus drivers to spot suspicious activity and implement a public awareness campaign.

Although it isn’t frequently seen or discussed, the Twin Cities has one of the largest concentrations of sex trafficking and prostitution in the country. Some experts say transit hubs, like bus stops, provide a common meeting place for those involved with sex trafficking.

University Police haven’t had any cases of sex trafficking, said Deputy Chief Chuck Miner, but it is still a prevalent issue in the Twin Cities.

The FBI classifies Minneapolis as one of 13 U.S. cities with a high concentration of child prostitution activity.

“We’re pretty high up there on the totem pole,” said Vednita Carter, founder of Breaking Free, a Twin Cities organization that helps sex trafficking victims.

Lauren Martin, a University of Minnesota researcher who studies sex trafficking, said transit hubs can be a “less obvious” place for sex trafficking.

“People who are involved in sex trading and sex trafficking, they live everyday lives,” Martin said. “Recruiting happens on the bus, at bus stops, because it’s where people are.”

Although Metro Transit Police Chief John Harrington said he hasn’t heard of any specific cases where sex trafficking has taken place on buses, he said police have received calls from people saying prostitution appeared to be happening near bus stops.

Harrington said bus drivers and transit officers will be trained to look for “classic signs” of prostitution, which includes underage girls who seem out of place, are dressed provocatively and are in the presence of an older male.

The awareness campaign will post signs in multiple languages near transit hubs telling sex trafficking victims how to get help.

Breaking Free, located in St. Paul, is one place victims can receive help. Carter said the group’s clients are frequently between 12 and 14 years old when they enter prostitution.

Metro Transit will work with advocacy and human trafficking groups to make sure signs are effective, Harrington said.

“It’s more than simply putting a sign up on the bus shelter,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re putting the right signage up there.”

New targeting online

Today’s online environment creates a new “marketing opportunity” for sex trafficking, Martin said.

In Minnesota, it’s estimated that 21 girls under age 18 are sexually exploited through Internet classifieds on any given night, according to a 2010 Schapiro Group study.

Although data show Minneapolis has a serious sex trafficking problem, the city is known for being proactive on the issue. Martin says Minneapolis is improving how it deals with sex trafficking, but this could actually be skewing the numbers.

“Part of the reason that it looks like numbers are high in the Twin Cities is because there is a lot of work being done on the issue,” Martin said. “We’re getting better at looking and prosecuting.”

By: Cody Nelson

To combat sex trafficking in the Twin Cities, Metro Transit officials are looking to train bus drivers to spot suspicious activity and implement a public awareness campaign.

Although it isn’t frequently seen or discussed, the Twin Cities has one of the largest concentrations of sex trafficking and prostitution in the country. Some experts say transit hubs, like bus stops, provide a common meeting place for those involved with sex trafficking.

University Police haven’t had any cases of sex trafficking, said Deputy Chief Chuck Miner, but it is still a prevalent issue in the Twin Cities.

The FBI classifies Minneapolis as one of 13 U.S. cities with a high concentration of child prostitution activity.

“We’re pretty high up there on the totem pole,” said Vednita Carter, founder of Breaking Free, a Twin Cities organization that helps sex trafficking victims.

Lauren Martin, a University of Minnesota researcher who studies sex trafficking, said transit hubs can be a “less obvious” place for sex trafficking.

“People who are involved in sex trading and sex trafficking, they live everyday lives,” Martin said. “Recruiting happens on the bus, at bus stops, because it’s where people are.”

Although Metro Transit Police Chief John Harrington said he hasn’t heard of any specific cases where sex trafficking has taken place on buses, he said police have received calls from people saying prostitution appeared to be happening near bus stops.

Harrington said bus drivers and transit officers will be trained to look for “classic signs” of prostitution, which includes underage girls who seem out of place, are dressed provocatively and are in the presence of an older male.

The awareness campaign will post signs in multiple languages near transit hubs telling sex trafficking victims how to get help.

Breaking Free, located in St. Paul, is one place victims can receive help. Carter said the group’s clients are frequently between 12 and 14 years old when they enter prostitution.

Metro Transit will work with advocacy and human trafficking groups to make sure signs are effective, Harrington said.

“It’s more than simply putting a sign up on the bus shelter,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re putting the right signage up there.”

New targeting online

Today’s online environment creates a new “marketing opportunity” for sex trafficking, Martin said.

In Minnesota, it’s estimated that 21 girls under age 18 are sexually exploited through Internet classifieds on any given night, according to a 2010 Schapiro Group study.

Although data show Minneapolis has a serious sex trafficking problem, the city is known for being proactive on the issue. Martin says Minneapolis is improving how it deals with sex trafficking, but this could actually be skewing the numbers.

“Part of the reason that it looks like numbers are high in the Twin Cities is because there is a lot of work being done on the issue,” Martin said. “We’re getting better at looking and prosecuting.”