By: Kia Farhang

Members of Prospect Park 2020, a nonprofit organization created in the spring, are approaching developers to bring more housing for seniors, alumni and artists to the neighborhood — but not students.

“We have no opposition to student housing,” said 2020 board member Dick Gilyard. “But we’d like to nudge that closer to campus.”

Since the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood has seen a swell of student housing development in recent years, demand is already being met, said neighborhood resident John DeWitt.

Prospect Park instead wants to focus on attracting more businesses as construction on the Central Corridor light rail line wraps up next year.

“We’re pretty confident that the area was going to develop with or without us,” Gilyard said.

Working proactively will allow them to add 1,000–2,000 new housing units to the neighborhood in the next year, he said.

Prospect Park 2020 is also working with University of Minnesota officials to make the neighborhood friendlier to bikers and pedestrians.

“We’ve been really working to get University involvement in this,” Dewitt said. “We know they’re going to be key to making something that’s sustainable.”

The neighborhood sits next to the University, and officials want to capitalize on that — for new businesses.

“This is perhaps the most asset-rich location in the entire country,” DeWitt said, because it’s “next to the brains” at the University.

Pick up Wednesday’s Minnesota Daily to find out how the new development will affect neighborhood businesses.

By: Kia Farhang

Burglars struck more homes in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood this week, according to Minneapolis police reports.

Police said home burglaries don’t happen any more frequently in the summer, and burglary across the precinct including Marcy-Holmes and the University of Minnesota is down 14 percent from last year at this time.

University senior Joe Schuler, who’s majoring in business and marketing education and human resource development, came back to his apartment on 12th Avenue Southeast for a few hours Monday evening after dinner with his family to find his window screen had been popped off and his front door was open a few inches.

But he didn’t notice anything missing until the next morning. Schuler said he had clothes, tools and a safe stolen.

Nobody was home to protect Schuler’s things, he said, because he lives alone — something he’d like to change by moving in with friends.

“My safety is kind of just done for here,” he said.

A University student had her apartment on Sixth Avenue Southeast burglarized while she was sleeping early Monday morning, another police report said.

The suspect cut through the student’s window screen to get in and steal a laptop — a very popular method of burglarizing homes during the summer, said Minneapolis police Sgt. Bill Palmer.

But the student was home at the time, and burglars don’t often break in when their victims are home.

“They don’t want a confrontation,” Palmer said. “They want in and out.”

Another University student had her laptop, purse and phone stolen early Monday morning, Palmer said.

She had been drinking and met the suspect earlier that night, according to the police report. She invited the suspect into the apartment, fell asleep, and noticed her things missing in the morning.

“People should make decisions about what they plan to do before they start drinking” to avoid similar situations, Palmer said.

The student declined to comment for this story.

The suspect left a phone behind, but Palmer wouldn’t say whether it was helpful in the investigation.

By: Branden Largent

The U.S. Supreme Court made two landmark decisions affecting marriage equality in California and the nation on Wednesday. 

In United States v. Winsor, the Supreme Court declared the federal Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment. The Court also struck down California’s Proposition 8, a ballot initiative constitutionally banning same-sex marriage, allowing gay marriage to resume in the state.

For Minnesota, and 11 other states where same-sex marriage is legal, the elimination of DOMA means same-sex couples will now get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples, said Loyola Law School, Los Angeles professor Jessica Levinson.

Justice Anthony Kennedy said in the Court opinion, DOMA “singles out a class of persons deemed by a State entitled to recognition and protection to enhance their own liberty."

Phil Duran, legal director of Outfront Minnesota — a Minnesota gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality organization — said the decisions were “tremendous victories for same-sex couples.”

He said the addition of federal benefits and legal standing makes for a “huge shift in the lives of same-sex couples in Minnesota.”

In the Prop. 8 decision, the Court said there was no standing to appeal the District Court’s decision that the proposition was unconstitutional.

Although the Court’s decision on Prop. 8 only affects same-sex marriage in California, Levinson said the decision could affect ballot measures across the nation.

University of St. Thomas School of Law professor Teresa Collett said she found the Prop. 8 decision “troubling,” because it showed voter-passed initiatives could be overturned by one judge if the state government doesn’t defend it.

“We’ve enlarged the power of the executive branch dramatically, and deprived the people of their right to have their lawful judgments defended,” Collett said.

But Levinson said she didn’t think it was “particularly inappropriate” for a judge to have the ability to overturn a voted statute. 

“The public may not find it hugely popular, but that’s the role of the judiciary — to protect minority rights,” Levinson said.

The Prop. 8 decision also didn’t say anything about the rights of same-sex couples to marry, she said, and instead focused on the legal aspect of the case.

Autumn Leva, a spokeswoman for Minnesota for Marriage, — an organization that supports marriage between one man and one woman — said members were disappointed by the results of the decisions, but relived that the marriage debate remains in the hands of citizens of each state. 

“[We’re] losing the federal unity of what understanding marriage is and what marriage should be — between one man and one woman — around the country,” Leva said.

She said the decision on DOMA also didn’t clarify what will happen to the federal benefits for married same-sex couples if they move to a state that hasn’t legalized gay marriage.

“These rulings in no way offer any firm clarity on how this is going to play out,” Leva said.

Pick up Wednesday’s Minnesota Daily for more on the effects of the decisions on same-sex marriage in Minnesota. 

By: Branden Largent

The U.S. Supreme Court made two landmark decisions affecting marriage equality in California and the nation on Wednesday. 

In United States v. Winsor, the Supreme Court declared the federal Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment. The Court also struck down California’s Proposition 8, a ballot initiative constitutionally banning same-sex marriage, allowing gay marriage to resume in the state.

For Minnesota, and 11 other states where same-sex marriage is legal, the elimination of DOMA means same-sex couples will now get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples, said Loyola Law School, Los Angeles professor Jessica Levinson.

Justice Anthony Kennedy said in the Court opinion, DOMA “singles out a class of persons deemed by a State entitled to recognition and protection to enhance their own liberty."

Phil Duran, legal director of Outfront Minnesota — a Minnesota gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality organization — said the decisions were “tremendous victories for same-sex couples.”

He said the addition of federal benefits and legal standing makes for a “huge shift in the lives of same-sex couples in Minnesota.”

In the Prop. 8 decision, the Court said there was no standing to appeal the District Court’s decision that the proposition was unconstitutional.

Although the Court’s decision on Prop. 8 only affects same-sex marriage in California, Levinson said the decision could affect ballot measures across the nation.

University of St. Thomas School of Law professor Teresa Collett said she found the Prop. 8 decision “troubling,” because it showed voter-passed initiatives could be overturned by one judge if the state government doesn’t defend it.

“We’ve enlarged the power of the executive branch dramatically, and deprived the people of their right to have their lawful judgments defended,” Collett said.

But Levinson said she didn’t think it was “particularly inappropriate” for a judge to have the ability to overturn a voted statute. 

“The public may not find it hugely popular, but that’s the role of the judiciary — to protect minority rights,” Levinson said.

The Prop. 8 decision also didn’t say anything about the rights of same-sex couples to marry, she said, and instead focused on the legal aspect of the case.

Autumn Leva, a spokeswoman for Minnesota for Marriage, — an organization that supports marriage between one man and one woman — said members were disappointed by the results of the decisions, but relived that the marriage debate remains in the hands of citizens of each state. 

“[We’re] losing the federal unity of what understanding marriage is and what marriage should be — between one man and one woman — around the country,” Leva said.

She said the decision on DOMA also didn’t clarify what will happen to the federal benefits for married same-sex couples if they move to a state that hasn’t legalized gay marriage.

“These rulings in no way offer any firm clarity on how this is going to play out,” Leva said.

Pick up Wednesday’s Minnesota Daily for more on the effects of the decisions on same-sex marriage in Minnesota. 

By: Elizabeth Ryan

Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on a prescription medication and 20 percent are taking five or more medications, according to a study Mayo Clinic released last week.

The most common drugs prescribed were for chronic health conditions, like diabetes, but the second most common were for depression.

At the college level, 12 percent of Minnesota students said they were taking antidepressants last year, according to Boynton Health Service’s College Student Health Survey.

The next most common drug were opiates, or strong painkillers, which can have major side effects if people overmedicate.

“It’s very useful, but it can very, very addictive,” said Ping-Yee Law, University of Minnesota pharmacology professor.

Opiates are used in cases like broken bones, wisdom teeth removal and recovery after surgeries.

Law estimated between five and 15 percent of people who use opiates medicinally get addicted to the drugs.

“It all depends on the duration,” he said.  “The people who get addicted are the ones who use the drugs for daily function.”

Law said recreational use is the “biggest problem” with opiates because a doctor can’t prove how much pain a person is feeling.

“If you take an x-ray and see a mild inflammation in the spine, you can always say, ‘I’m in really severe pain,’ and no one can tell how extensive it is,” he said.

Less than one percent of college students said they used opiates illegally in Boyton’s survey.

But Law said abuse of prescription opiate drugs is more common than that, especially considering new ways to access them.

“Go to the internet,” he said, “and you can find out how many doctors will write you a prescription.”

For more on student and expert reactions to prescription drug use, pick up Wednesday’s Minnesota Daily.

By: Elizabeth Ryan

Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on a prescription medication and 20 percent are taking five or more medications, according to a study Mayo Clinic released last week.

The most common drugs prescribed were for chronic health conditions, like diabetes, but the second most common were for depression.

At the college level, 12 percent of Minnesota students said they were taking antidepressants last year, according to Boynton Health Service’s College Student Health Survey.

The next most common drug were opiates, or strong painkillers, which can have major side effects if people overmedicate.

“It’s very useful, but it can very, very addictive,” said Ping-Yee Law, University of Minnesota pharmacology professor.

Opiates are used in cases like broken bones, wisdom teeth removal and recovery after surgeries.

Law estimated between five and 15 percent of people who use opiates medicinally get addicted to the drugs.

“It all depends on the duration,” he said.  “The people who get addicted are the ones who use the drugs for daily function.”

Law said recreational use is the “biggest problem” with opiates because a doctor can’t prove how much pain a person is feeling.

“If you take an x-ray and see a mild inflammation in the spine, you can always say, ‘I’m in really severe pain,’ and no one can tell how extensive it is,” he said.

Less than one percent of college students said they used opiates illegally in Boyton’s survey.

But Law said abuse of prescription opiate drugs is more common than that, especially considering new ways to access them.

“Go to the internet,” he said, “and you can find out how many doctors will write you a prescription.”

For more on student and expert reactions to prescription drug use, pick up Wednesday’s Minnesota Daily.

By: Kia Farhang

Following concerns that some residents were excluded, University of Minnesota neighborhood associations are making it easier to join and vote.

Minneapolis officials told some neighborhoods last year they would have to relax their membership and voting requirements to keep getting city funding.

The city gave $450,000 to the four neighborhoods surrounding the University in its most recent funding cycle, which runs through this year.

Several neighborhood residents said city funding is important to keep their associations active.

Prospect Park East River Road Improvement Association uses the funding to rent office space and hire staff, said treasurer Dick Poppele.

“We could certainly survive without it,” he said, but with less investment into neighborhood projects.

City funding was a major factor in helping the neighborhood renovate and reopen the Pratt Community School in the 1990s, Poppele said.

Prospect Park’s neighborhood association removed its membership dues in April. That will make it easier for students to join, said University alumnus and association member Paul Zerby.

“A lot of the stalwarts of the neighborhood are people that have been doing it for a long time,” he said.  “We’re looking to get more young blood involved.”

The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association voted last week to remove a bylaw that made new members wait a month before voting or making motions at meetings.

“In Marcy-Holmes’ defense, they saw that as a way of making the logistics easier,” said Stacy Sorenson, a Minneapolis neighborhood support specialist.

In a letter to the neighborhood last year, the city asked Marcy-Holmes to remove the bylaw, Sorenson said, because officials were concerned it would discourage participation.

Pick up Wednesday’s Minnesota Daily to hear how the neighborhood changes will affect student participation.

By: Kia Farhang

Following concerns that some residents were excluded, University of Minnesota neighborhood associations are making it easier to join and vote.

Minneapolis officials told some neighborhoods last year they would have to relax their membership and voting requirements to keep getting city funding.

The city gave $450,000 to the four neighborhoods surrounding the University in its most recent funding cycle, which runs through this year.

Several neighborhood residents said city funding is important to keep their associations active.

Prospect Park East River Road Improvement Association uses the funding to rent office space and hire staff, said treasurer Dick Poppele.

“We could certainly survive without it,” he said, but with less investment into neighborhood projects.

City funding was a major factor in helping the neighborhood renovate and reopen the Pratt Community School in the 1990s, Poppele said.

Prospect Park’s neighborhood association removed its membership dues in April. That will make it easier for students to join, said University alumnus and association member Paul Zerby.

“A lot of the stalwarts of the neighborhood are people that have been doing it for a long time,” he said.  “We’re looking to get more young blood involved.”

The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association voted last week to remove a bylaw that made new members wait a month before voting or making motions at meetings.

“In Marcy-Holmes’ defense, they saw that as a way of making the logistics easier,” said Stacy Sorenson, a Minneapolis neighborhood support specialist.

In a letter to the neighborhood last year, the city asked Marcy-Holmes to remove the bylaw, Sorenson said, because officials were concerned it would discourage participation.

Pick up Wednesday’s Minnesota Daily to hear how the neighborhood changes will affect student participation.

By: Kia Farhang

Several Marcy-Holmes residents had their homes burglarized last week, according to Minneapolis police reports.

But burglaries across the 2nd Precinct, which includes Marcy-Holmes and the University of Minnesota, are down 17 percent from last year.

Someone broke into art history senior Emily Hoyt’s duplex on Fourth Street Southeast on Thursday and stole her roommate’s laptop, one report said.

Hoyt said it’s the third break-in to the building this year. The suspect came in through an unlocked window and Hoyt said she might have been inside at the time.

“I remember hearing someone come in,” she said, but assumed it was her roommate.

Another one of Hoyt’s roommates had a laptop stolen last fall when someone pried open the back door with a crowbar, Hoyt said.

Marketing senior Nate Freeman’s house on 13th Avenue Southeast was burglarized over the weekend, another report said.

Freeman said he and his six roommates spent the weekend in Wisconsin. When they got back, his laptop and charger were gone.

“It would have been pretty easy to get in” to the house, Freeman said, because the lock on the front door is broken. Freeman said someone left a shirt on his bed over the weekend, as well.

“I don’t know if he took off his shirt and put on one of mine,” he said.

Cyndi Barrington, Minneapolis police public information officer, said it’s important for people to keep their windows and doors locked — even during hot summer months.

Unsecure openings are “very inviting to criminals,” she said. “It’s easy access to your home.”

Keeping outside areas well-lit can also help deter burglars, Barrington said.

iPad, gift cards never returned

An associate professor of medicine reported an iPad and $300 worth of Target gift cards stolen on Friday, according to a University police report.

The professor was overseeing a study and hired a University student to conduct interviews with research subjects, said University police Deputy Chief Chuck Miner. The student was supposed to give the items to subjects for their participation.

After the suspected student stopped coming to work in April, the professor tried to contact her several times, but the student said she was out of state for the summer.

Miner said it’s not clear if the gift cards and iPad were University property, but added he’d be very surprised if the professor had paid for them out of pocket.

By: Kia Farhang

A University of Minnesota researcher had his laptop and backpack stolen from Jackson Hall on Tuesday, according to a police report.

Song Lou is a biological researcher at the University. He said he was working in a lab on the third floor of Jackson Hall when a man came in and said someone was looking for him upstairs.

The people upstairs told Lou they weren’t looking for him. When he came back to the lab, his laptop, backpack and the man were gone.

University police Deputy Chief Chuck Miner said nobody saw the man take Lou’s things, but it’s likely he committed the crime.

University police have dealt with 145 thefts so far this year, according to the most recent data. That’s down from 208 thefts last year at this time.

Burglary thwarted

Minneapolis police arrested a man late Tuesday night for burglarizing a building on 27th Avenue Southeast, according to a report.

Real estate agent Adam Seraphine owns the building, which he said is vacant. His security system notified him someone was breaking in.

Minneapolis police Sgt. Bill Palmer said the suspect came in through a door, but it’s not yet clear whether he forced his way in.

The suspect didn’t take anything from the building or do any damage.

“As a landlord, you always have minor issues,” Seraphine said. “You just have to deal with them.”

The city’s 2nd Precinct, which includes area around the University, has seen 230 burglaries so far this year — down from 276 last year.

Man urinates on Library bar

University police cited a man early Wednesday morning for urinating on the side of the Library Bar and Grill, according to a report.

Miner said it’s not clear whether the man had been drinking, but his speech was slurred.

Library general manager Joe Berg said incidents like this are somewhat common.

“It’s hard to catch them,” he said, because the offenders usually leave before police can arrive.

Most University police citations for public urination happen when nearby police spot them happening, Miner said.