Posted on 20 February 2014.
By: Blair Emerson
The University of Minnesota Graduate School will establish learning outcomes for each of its more than 200 graduate programs, laying out for the first time what students are expected to learn in each program.
Officials and students are now working to see how to best develop the outcomes for each program. Leaders hope to implement the learning outcomes in every graduate program by fall, but some students are at odds with this plan, saying the outcomes may not be helpful.
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Grad school tests out new goals
Posted on 18 February 2014.
By: Anne Millerbernd
When Mira McDonald’s instructor took attendance on the first day of class last semester, they called her by the wrong name. McDonald stayed silent until the end of class, then told her instructor she’s a transgender student.
Even after she registered her preferred name with the University of Minnesota, McDonald’s legal name remained on class rosters.
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on U’s naming procedure criticized
Posted on 18 February 2014.
Despite their burrowing namesake, few University of Minnesota students use the school’s Gopher Way tunnel and skyway system.
Students who do use it say they like the tunnel system because it’s useful and warm, but many others say the Gopher Way is difficult to navigate.
Environmental sciences, policy and management senior Brendan McShane said he frequently uses the St. Paul campus’s tunnels in the winter to avoid going outside.
McShane said he thought the tunnels were convenient but could be easier to navigate.
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Gophers prefer crossing campus above ground
Posted on 18 February 2014.
By: Haley Hansen
The University of Minnesota is a leader in producing Peace Corps volunteers. It’s tied for fifth in the nation for its number of graduate alumni volunteers and 10th for undergraduates — up 10 spots from last year.
Thirteen graduate and 57 undergraduate University alumni are currently volunteering throughout the world.
Learning Abroad Center Director Martha Johnson said the school’s alumni have a strong presence in the Peace Corps because of the University’s extensive outreach and informational resources.
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on U presence strong in Peace Corps
Posted on 18 February 2014.
The Minnesota Daily recently reported on grade inflation within higher education.
Though steadily rising GPAs at the university level received attention in past years, the Daily reported that GPAs at the University of Minnesota have increased only marginally. The University’s increases are not significantly different from the small increase in GPAs at colleges and universities nationwide. Grade inflation, it seems, is not as big of an issue as is commonly perceived.
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Grade inflation isn’t the issue; lack of context is
Posted on 18 February 2014.
Ward 2 Councilman Cam Gordon proposed an ordinance last month that could give Minneapolis neighborhoods the power to block inappropriate developments. While these “conservation districts” could protect older, smart development, they also add another check to growth and participation.
Conservation districts have been a tool for historic preservation for the past decade, and they are effectually similar to the city’s historic districts. Though many cities may use this tool, Minneapolis should be wary about implementing districts without care.
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Conservation districts are a risk for Mpls.
Posted on 13 February 2014.
By: Fernando Nuñez
The Ananya Dance Theatre’s performers moved with smooth precision on the top floor of the Barbara Barker Center for Dance on a cold Sunday morning.
Ananya Chatterjea, director of dance in the University of Minnesota’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, leads the company with attentive eyes. Though the dancers are focused on choreography, their work’s purpose is deeper than it may appear.
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on ‘It’s not just a discourse’
Posted on 11 February 2014.
By: Blair Emerson
When Nicole Scott came to the University of Minnesota to start a graduate program in cognitive science, she turned to Craigslist to find housing. But Scott was skeptical to sign a lease with someone she didn’t know.
“Locally, you can use Craigslist, but it may not be the safest way of doing it,” she said.
Scott and other University Council of Graduate Students members found few ways to locate housing for graduate and professional students who are new to the University, so they took action.
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on New site connects graduate roommates
Posted on 11 February 2014.
By: Betsy Helfand
Gophers forward Amanda Kessel made her presence known Monday in Sochi, Russia.
Kessel scored two goals and added two assists in Team USA’s 9-0 win over Switzerland.
Her goals came in the first period of the blowout.
Former Gophers defenseman Megan Bozek and current defenseman Lee Stecklein each added an assist.
The win moved the Americans to 2-0 in the preliminary round.
They will face Canada on Wednesday in what will most likely be a preview of the gold medal game.
Finland
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Eye on Sochi: USA wins, Finland loses
Posted on 11 February 2014.
By: David Nelson
Maggie Keefer doesn’t remember a lot about the accident.
She remembers walking to the platform with her synchronized diving partner. She remembers leaping off the platform and feeling unbalanced.
Then she forgets.
“I think I remember right before I took off I got a little off-balanced,” Keefer said. “And I remember saying to myself, ‘Oh, I’ll just fix it in the air.’
“And then that’s the last thing I remember.”
Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Keefer recovers to become a star
