Two proposed majors move through new curriculum approval process

By Regina Barbosa

News Editor

Two new majors are in the final stages of approval and could be offered at Saint Mary’s University as early as next year, according to Student Senate Vice President of Academic Affairs Serica Rowley.

A new major in the Business Department and another in the Math Department are being reviewed by the university’s administration, according to curriculum committee chair Dr. David Jackson. Although the majors are still in the approval process, he said one of the majors would focus on actuarial science and the other on finance.

“Part of who we are [as a university] is what we offer,” said Jackson. “These new majors would help students get to the career field they want to go into.”

The majors will be open to all students. Upperclassmen who wish to switch or add on one of the upcoming majors may have to put in an extra semester or year to meet requirements, according to Rowley.

But not all interested upperclassmen will stay longer to earn those degrees. Sean Pavelich is a junior majoring in accounting. “I’m really interested in the new finance major,” he said. “I just wish I had room in my schedule to take the classes before I graduate.”

If interest and need for a new major are found by a department, they start to define the expectations and desires of the new curriculum.  Then, according to Jackson, they make sure all of it fits into the mission of the university. He said the curriculum committee reviews a proposed major after the department approves it.

“It’s a process and the committee is just one step,” said Rowley.

Jackson said the curriculum committee makes sure that proposed majors are good for the university and its mission, that it is sustainable and that it meets the needs of both current and future students.

After being approved by the curriculum committee a proposed major moves onto the final approval step, which is the university administration, according to Jackson. The university’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Donna Aronson oversees this process.

After all final approvals are finished, a formal announcement will be made for these proposed majors to clarify and list the official course requirements.

Future Alumni give thanks with annual SMU-Giving

By Carissa Hahn

Copy Editor

The Saint Mary’s University Future Alumni Committee (FAC) held their third annual SMU-Giving event.

SMU-Giving was an event on Nov. 15 for undergraduate students with a theme similar to that of Thanksgiving. It was held on Give to the Max Day, a statewide event held to promote the importance of giving back to non-profit organizations.  

SMU-Giving was filled with activities such as a Madden football tournament, root beer pong, coupon finding contest, pizza party and a pie-eating contest, said Connie Budin, co-president of FAC. Budin said there were about 100 people at the event. 

“I believe this is a very important event for SMU students to come to for the simple reason that it educates on where a portion of the Saint Mary’s funding comes from,” said Budin. “Those who donate to SMU on Give to the Max Day are all SMU graduates from both Winona and Minneapolis campus, and I don’t think that information is shared enough with how much money is raised each year.” 

Jay Olson, co-president of FAC, said that SMU is in a separate “Higher Education” category in regards to Give to the Max day, which is held every November. 

“We had an updated total throughout the day to show students where Saint Mary’s stood in our category,” said Olson. “We wanted students to know that while we were here learning and going on with our day, there are people putting money forth to make it possible.”

Budin said that a lot of people stuck around to watch the last event, the pie-eating contest. “Even I got pied in the face afterwards,” exclaimed Budin.

FAC is always welcoming new members. Their next event will be the 2013 Polar Plunge, Olson said. 

New Cineclub provides opportunity to watch foreign-language films

By Megan Hafner

Cardinal Staff

A new movie club at Saint Mary’s University called Cineclub offers students, as well as SMU community members, the opportunity to view films created in either Latin America or Spain. 

This movie watching experience is unique because the movies are played in their country’s official language with English subtitles shown on the screen. Most of the films are in Spanish, but not all since most of Latin America includes Spanish-speaking countries. 

Dr. Kyle Black, SMU professor of Spanish who created Cineclub, said that “foreign films are a great way, especially for students studying Spanish, to hear the language being spoken and see what life can be like in another country 

without traveling there.” 

So far this year, Cineclub has watched films from Chile, Argentina, Spain and Brazil. Dr. Black also said that he “wants students to be able to view cultural films that lead away from the common Hollywood style and let students be able to appreciate the artistic side of the film industry.” 

Some of the films that will be shown next semester include Amador (2010), a Spanish film about a woman who cares for an elderly man and the secrets they share; Paraiso Travel (2008), which is about two young lovers traveling from Columbia to New York to gain a fortune; The Take (2004), a film about ceramic floors factory workers in Argentinian Patagonia; and a many other movies. 

Cineclub meets Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. in the World Room in SMU’s Hendrickson Building. 

Dr. Black hopes to further the development of Cineclub by showing films every other week. In the future, he said he hopes to show films with an immigration theme.

Dakota tribe member attends ‘Dakota 38’ screening

By Jesús Adrián Martínez

Cardinal Staff

The Intercultural Awareness Association (ICAA) at Saint Mary’s University invited Gus High Eagle, a member of the Dakota tribe, to share his experience and aspects of his culture with the SMU community at the screening of the film Dakota 38. 

The ICAA explores different cultures and shares them with the SMU community. During the event, High Eagle explained that he and many members of his tribe have been traveling to various regions in the U.S. to share their experience of trivialization as Native Americans in the U.S. 

On Dec. 26, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln conducted the largest execution in U.S history; the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato, Minn.        

High Eagle said that Jim Miller, one of his fellow tribe members, felt that he had to pay a tribute to his ancestors who fought for their rights and were murdered in cold blood. Miller connected his dreams to his experience as a soldier in the war in Vietnam. Miller killed 38 men in the Vietnam War, which was the exact number of Dakota men who were executed in 1862. 

In 2008, Miller was compelled to round up a group of horse riders set out from Lower Brule, S.D., on a 16-day journey to Mankato, Minn. The journey was documented in the film Dakota 38. The 330 mile journey was said to be “a journey of recollection and reconciliation” as part of the 150th anniversary of what is now known as the 1862 Dakota Conflict. The film is an explicit depiction of the Dakota tribe’s culture, rituals and experience. 

Throughout the film, one sees a high sense of collaboration within the tribe as members make an effort to jounrey to Mankato, Minn., to pay tribute to their ancestors. On this journey, the Dakota tribe also collaborated with several tribes along the way and helped decrease the number of suicides of Native American in the United States due to their outcasting. 

High Eagle left the SMU community with strong words at the end of the movie screening. “It is not about brown skin or white skin,” he said. “It is about how we’re all human beings. We just want peace.”

Tea party raises funds for ‘The Nutcracker’

By Kelsey Hulbert

Feature Editor 

Over 200 people attended the seventh biennial Sugarplum Tea Party Fundraiser on Nov. 18 that raised funds for the Minnesota Conservatory for the Art’s (MCA) “The Nutcracker” production and scholarship fund. 

The tea party is MCA’s largest fundraiser. There were two place settings that featured a variety of finger food and specialty teas served by characters of “The Nutcracker.” Tickets were $18 for adults and $15 for children.  There was also a boutique selling a variety of homemade holiday gifts and crafts.    

The best part of the event, according to MAC’s Managing Director Joelle Harris, is seeing all of the little kids’ excitement at being able to see all the costumes and take pictures with their favorite characters.  “All of their faces lit up when they got to stand next to a fairy and touch their costume,” she said.  

The event is crucial for MCA and would not happen without the help of volunteers, said Harris. “Families and volunteers that step up to the plate really drive the event,” she said. 

Harris said the fundraiser helps to support and showcase the talent of their dancers and the community. Dance is an important part of being a well-rounded student because it teaches discipline and teamwork, she said.  “It creates a wonderful foundation for a future work ethic in a job setting,” said Harris.  

Pre-Finals Breakfast shows students support before stress of finals

By Julianne Bartosz

Editor in chief

The annual Pre-Finals Breakfast for Students has become a Saint Mary’s University tradition for faculty and staff to show students support as they embark upon the stressful time of finals, according to Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Donna Aronson.

The Pre-Finals Breakfast, which has been held at SMU for about 20 to 25 years, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 10 to 11:30 p.m. in the Toner Center dining room, said Barbara Schmidtknecht, the administrative assistant to the academic vice president of the college who has helped plan the event for many years. She said that not much has changed for the event except that it is now co-sponsored by SMU’s Office of Academic Affairs and Chartwells Food Service.

“The Pre-Finals Breakfast has always been well attended,” said Schmidtknecht.  “It is a nice tradition to continue.”  She estimates that between seven or eight hundred students attend the event each year.

Dr. Aronson emphasized the opportunity that the event allows for faculty and staff to show their support and wish them success in finals.  She said she understands the importance of the event as an opportunity for students to see faculty in a different role.  However, Dr. Aronson said that she never understood how pancakes help students study.

In addition to the late night snack, students are also invited to sing Christmas carols while dining in the cafeteria.  Dr. Aronson and Young Alumni and Student Relations Associate Director Bob Fisher said this is their favorite part of the event.

“The Christmas holiday always reminds me of family,” said Fisher, who has played the role of Santa at the two previous Pre-Finals Breakfasts.  “The Pre-Finals Breakfast represents the SMU family by allowing us all to come together to support students and end the semester as a community.”

Dr. Aronson said that the Pre-Finals Breakfast serves as an initiation for faculty as well as an event for students.  She said the first-year faculty work the late shift while second-year faculty work the early shift.  In addition to this scheduling, additional veteran faculty members attend the Pre-Finals Breakfast each year.

“It emphasizes the importance of service and serving,” said Dr. Aronson. “It gives students a sense of goodwill from faculty.”

Dr. Aronson wishes all students study hard for finals and have a safe break.

Christmas Light Service: Students can take a break for the Christmas story

By Laura Beyer

Cardinal Staff

The Christmas Light Service on Dec. 13 at 9 p.m. will feature a retelling of the Christmas story through words and song to celebrate the birth of Christ.  

The singing of Christmas carols, dancing, playing of handbells and praying is a non-denominational way to celebrate Christmas as a community, said SMU Theology Professor Laurie Ziliak.

Ziliak, who oversees the event, said that a lot of preparation went into the service as choirs, actors, dancers, readers and music makers all had to learn their parts as well as know where they fit in during the event. Ziliak is excited to see the final product after all their hard work.  She said that the Christmas Light Service is usually “one of the fuller liturgies” SMU has. 

Freshman Cassie Ricker will be singing and playing the piano with sophomore Lauren Salonek.  After weekly practices and several rehearsals, Ricker said that she is excited for the service in order to showcase all of the musical talent that everyone has.  “I am excited to see how everything comes together,” Ricker said.  

The service will end with a procession to the Nativity Scene where the trees behind it will be lit. 

Afterwards students are encouraged to attend the pre-finals breakfast. All students can take advantage of this opportunity for a study break. “It’s a great to relax and finish off the semester together,” said Ziliak.  

‘The Nutcracker’ stirs holiday spirit

By Paul Schmitt

Cardinal Staff

Holiday spirit filled the Page Theatre with the showing of “The Nutcracker” by the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts’ Dance Repertory and Saint Mary’s University’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

The ballet ran from Wednesday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Dec. 2, and sold out almost every night.  It included over 100 cast and crew members of all ages from SMU, the Winona area community and Wisconsin who have all worked diligently on the production since August.

Hannah Schwarze, SMU sophomore who was one of the dancers in the ballet, said a typical week for her included 12 hours of rehearsals for what she considered “a light role.”  Schwarze said, “Ballet is one of the hardest things you can make your body do because it goes against your anatomy completely.”

The hard work paid off in the end with a ballet production that got many people excited for the Christmas season.  Kathleen Bryant, stage manager for the show, said that the story of the ballet, in which a girl named Clara saves the life of the Nutcracker prince from the Rat Queen, “brings out a lot of the human kindness that the holiday season entails.” She added that this sentiment is part of the reason the ballet has become a holiday tradition for many.

It would seem that another major factor in the longevity of “The Nutcracker” tradition is its communal nature.  For Joelle Harris, managing director at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, the sense of family and the fact that there is something for everyone to enjoy in the ballet is what she admires about it.  Whether one goes for the sugar plum fairies or the Russian dancers, it’s the gathering of friends and family that keeps audiences coming back.  

“‘The Nutcracker’ is like the tree-topper on the Christmas tree,” said Harris. “While the whole thing is good already, it is the perfect piece that brings it all together.”  

Gifts for Winona: Saint Mary’s and community partner to provide presents for needy families

By Kelsey Hulbert

Feature Editor 

The eleventh annual Gifts for Winona event will provide gifts to over 1,600 local children and elderly in need this holiday season.  

Spokesperson Ann Merchlewitz said Gifts for Winona is humbling and teaches students the importance of being philanthropic. “Students learn what it means to give from your heart and expect nothing in return,” she said.  All of the gifts are given anonymously.  

The gifts will be distributed Dec. 17.  SMU community members are encouraged to participate by taking a tag from any of the trees, purchasing a gift and returning the gift to the tree by Dec. 12. It is recommended that $35 be spent on each gift.   

Merchlewitz said her favorite part of Gifts for Winona is being able to shop for the person in need.  “The people are so grateful that others are so selfless and kind,” she said.  The gift recipients get to celebrate Christmas festivities with caroling, cookies, hot chocolate and people dressed up in Santa hats as the gifts are distributed.  

As the numbers of families in need grow, Gifts for Winona hopes to reach even more of those in need. According to the Winona Food Shelf, there has been a 17 percent increase in the number of Winona families using its services. 

The giving trees are located at the three Severson Sinclair stations, Walmart, the Winona Public Library, the Winona Post and the Security State Bank in Lewiston, Minn.  

The Gifts for Winona, composed of SMU faculty and staff, is partnered with the Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Post and Winona Radio.

All-campus art exhibit features wide variety of artists

By Petey Brown

A&E Editor

Saint Mary’s University hosts an all-campus art exhibit along with a senior showcase of two art majors in the Lillian Davis Hogan Gallery from Nov. 17 until Dec. 15. 

The two seniors are Marie Fidler, a Graphic Design major, and Nikki Farmer, a Studio Art major.  There are also pieces in the show that have been submitted by other Saint Mary’s students that are art and non-art majors.  

Farmer has five pieces in the show: four installations and a lithography print.  The print is a water color painting that goes along with the installations, which are painted sculptures of human bodies containing deer skulls and bones.

“They [the sculptures] are made with plaster, wire and acyclic paint,” Farmer said.  “The sculptures are mainly pieces that describe how nature and humans have survived the difficult times in life.”

Farmer said she was inspired by an idea while studying abroad in Italy. Her inspirational idea was to bring a painting into a three-dimensional world.  

“I am very interested in the human body; it is beautiful and full of grace. The deer skulls and bones helped bring an interesting concept to the art,” Farmer said.  “To not only see a painting, but to be surrounded by the life it has.” 

Farmer said her favorite part of the show was opening night when people were there asking her how her pieces were made and what inspired them.

“It’s exciting to see people really engaging in the art and wondering why it is there,” Farmer said.  “Without the help of the Art Department and the advice of the art professors, I could have never made my ideas a reality.”

The art show also had pieces submitted by a variety of SMU students.

“The students who submit art work do not have to be art majors or even have taken an art class,” said Saint Mary’s Art Chair Preston Lawling.  

The submitted pieces are chosen by the faculty to be exhibited because there is not enough room to display all the artwork.  

Sophomore Midge Reller, a journalism and graphic design student, has two pieces in the show.  One is a charcoal and pastel drawing titled “Time After Time” and the other is a pastel drawing titled “Fruit of the Loom.”

“The pieces I entered were both in-class assignments from my Drawing II course that I have with Preston right now,” Reller said.  “There are a lot of talented artists here at Saint Mary’s with a lot of unique styles, and a show like this gives everyone the opportunity to see the pieces that students have worked hard to put together.” 

Another student with pieces in the art show yet is not an art major is senior Brendan Cahill, who is studying public relations.  He had two pieces in the art show that are black and white printed photographs.  

“One picture is inspired by a Billy Joel song and the others are three pictures in a series that was inspired by a verse of an epic poem I wrote,” Cahill said.  “I love the art show so that non-art students like me can show their art work.”

Lawling also said how he likes that ths art show gives all Saint Mary’s students the opportunity to show off their talents. 

“The exciting thing about this show is that we get to see the creativity of all the Saint Mary’s University students, not just the art students,” Lawling said. “The Saint Mary’s community should know that all of our students are creative, and we enjoy showcasing the works of these students.”

Movie Review: ‘Life of Pi’ is heavenly

By Midge Reller

Cardinal Staff

Oscar-winning director Ang Lee brought Yann Martel’s 2001 novel Life of Pi to theatres Nov. 21. The film stars Suraj Sharma as young Pi Patel and Irrfan Khan (Slumdog Millionaire, The Amazing Spiderman, The Darjeeling Limited) as adult Pi.

Life of Pi is a story told by adult Pi to a writer through a series of flashbacks. At age 16, Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel was the only survivor of a shipwreck. Inspired by this, a writer goes to Pi for an interview several years later to document Pi’s life story. The writer is told that Pi will tell him a story that will make him believe in God. 

The Catholic-Hindu-Muslim explains to the writer his life growing up in India with his family-owned zoo. As a young boy, Pi’s curiosity leads him to the cage of the Bengal tiger, named Richard Parker, whom he attempts to feed. His father, who is outraged, tells Pi that this carnivorous animal is not to be trusted. 

Several years later, Pi’s family boards a Japanese ship. A violent storm sinks the ship, leaving all passengers dead except Pi. After the shipwreck, the protagonist finds himself alone on a lifeboat with Richard Parker, the zoo’s Bengal tiger.

Life of Pi is a story of survival and of spirituality. It touches on the idea of faith, and its up-for-interpretation ending raises a lot of questions about the meaning of the film. The film is not only visually stunning but its philosophical nature leaves audience members pondering the symbolism even days after seeing the movie.

Most would agree that being alone on a raft with a tiger for the majority of the film sounds like a daunting task to portray. However, Sharma pulls off the challenge magnificently. Sharma brings the gangly, lovable Pi to life and keeps audiences captivated the whole time.

Overall this film is brilliantly crafted. The story has profound depth and soul, the scenes are thrilling, the acting is convincing, it has beautiful imagery and there are lots of splashes of witty humor. Life of Pi is definitely a movie worth seeing.

Music Review: ‘Blood’ by In This Moment

By Allison Christensen

Cardinal Staff

Feeling stressed about finals?  Try venting some of that frustration by listening to In This Moment’s new album, “Blood.” 

Maria Brink (vocals) and Chris Howorth (lead guitar), the founders of the band, met at an open jam in Los Angeles, Calif., in 2005. They recorded their first album, “Beautiful Tragedy,” in 2007 with former band members. 

Today, the band includes Randy Weitzel (guitar), Travis Johnson (bass) and Tom Hane (drums). In This Moment has steadily gained more fans with each new album. The latest, “Blood,” is their most successful album. 

“I knew that I wanted this album to bring out elements we’ve never shown before,” said Brink. “This alluring, darker, sinful side of us that no one has ever seen.” 

Each song on the “Blood” album is like an exposed nerve. The harsh vocals and distressing lyrics exude raw emotion. Inspired by bands they toured with, Brink held nothing back in the creation of this album. 

“Watching all those bands helped me let go of my fear, following my art and not worrying about ‘Is this too much?’ or ‘Am I pushing too far?’ or ‘Are people going to judge me?’ This album is the most fearless I’ve ever felt making music,” said Brink.

Scream-o tracks such as “You’re Gonna Listen” and “Comanche” create a perfect balance between chaos and control. The shredding vocals are intense and somewhat unpredictable, but the tight rhythms and constant beat prevent them from sounding sloppy. 

On the other side of the spectrum, the tracks “It Is Written” and “Aires” convey a very different feeling. The computer generated sounds and Brink’s mysterious whispering create an eerie, if not slightly disturbing, sound. Mixing these in with the rest of the album’s fast and furious tracks creates an interesting contrast and gives the album more depth and meaning.

Visit In This Moment’s official site, www.inthismomentofficial.com, to check out tour dates and purchase merchandise.

Music kicks off Christmas in weekend of holiday concerts

By Regina Barbosa

News Editor

The Music Department at Saint Mary’s University celebrated the Christmas season with holiday concerts on Dec. 6-9.

The SMU Jazz Ensemble performed at the Page Theatre on Dec. 6, led by the new Director of Jazz Studies Eric Heukeshoven. Featured vocalist Jessica Ingvalson showed her skills in “Georgia on my Mind” and “When Sunny Gets Blue.” The ensemble highlighted their improvisation with the songs “Take Five” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” Joining the jazz ensemble was the world drum ensemble on Dean Sorenson’s “Carneval del Sol.”

On Dec. 7, the choirs performed “Lessons and Carols” at the Chapel of Saint Mary’s of the Angels. In this Christmas service directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea, the choir and audience sang Christmas hymns together and Bible readings were read between hymns.

The Saint Mary’s Band played a winter concert on the afternoon of Dec. 9 in the Page Theatre. The program onducted by Janet Heukeshoven included: “Fanfare & Flourishes” by James Curnow, “Symphonic Suite” by Clifton Williams, “Canterbury Chorale” by Jan Van der Roost, “Inglesina – the Little English Girl” by Davide Delle Cese, “Ireland: Of Legend and Lore” by Robert W. Smith and “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson. The band followed their performance with Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” as an encore piece. Then, they hosted a Christmas party in the lobby. Smaller ensembles performed Christmas music during the gathering, and holiday cookies were served.

In the evening of Dec. 9, the Chamber Orchestra put on their “Sounds of Christmas” concert in the Figliulo Recital Hall. New director Dr. David Leung conducted “Christmas Concerto” by Corelli, “Winter” by Vivaldi, “O Magnum Mysterium” by Lauridsen, “Sleigh Ride” by Mozart and “Farewell” symphony by Haydn. Between the pieces, special guest Dr. Kyle Black, a professor from the Modern and Classical Languages Department, recited sonnets in various languages.

Cardinals help fight cancer with Hour of Power Relay

By Regina Barbosa

News Editor

The Saint Mary’s University Swimming and Diving team swam against sarcoma cancer last month in the sixth annual Hour of Power Relay.

According to Coach Eric Lindquist, the Cardinals devote their practice time for the event each year, which raises awareness and money to support research for sarcoma research at the Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago.

The Hour of Power began in 2006, after Carleton College swimmer Ted Mullin passed away from the rare form of soft-tissue cancer that affects young adults. According to Lindquist, Mullin’s favorite workout at practice was a one-hour relay. In honor of his memory, his family created the Ted Mullin Hour of Power Relay. 

About 160 teams with a total of over 8,000 athletes participated in the relay event, which takes place in pools all across the country and internationally as well, according to Lindquist.

Members of the Mullin family came to the Jules Gernes Pool at SMU to thank the participants of the relay and cheer them on during the event.

More information about the Ted Mullin Hour of Power Relay can be found at 

TedMullinFund.org

Men’s basketball hopes to improve in MIAC

By Samantha Borawski

Sports Editor

The Saint Mary’s men’s basketball team is hoping for a better season than last year. After going 5-20 overall in the 2011-2012 season, the Cardinals are only looking up. 

Their season officially started this year with an exhibition game against Winona State University on Nov. 11. Since then, it’s been a rocky road for the Cardinals, who are 0-6 overall. The Cardinals are 0-3 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) after taking hard losses from St. Olaf, Hamline and fifth-ranked Saint Thomas. 

On the bright side, a couple positives for the team are the return of senior Michael Burfeind and the depth and experience that is seen throughout the entire team.

Although Burfeind missed three games due to a concussion, including the home opener against St. Olaf, his return is a sign of what is to come. In the game against Hamline, he scored a season high of 14 points.  He continued this dominant play against St. Thomas, scoring a new season high of 24 points. His return is a sign of relief seeing as he was the team’s leading scorer 18 times last season while averaging 18 points a game. 

Other players returning for the Cardinals who received significant playing time last year are seniors Tom Gores, Joe Murray and Josh Bennett and sophomore Evan Pederson. Even with multiple experienced returners, the team has big shoes to fill with the loss of last season’s three seniors, including Pat Freeman who averaged around 11 points a game. 

A couple players trying to fill those roles are freshmen Will Swiggum and Mark Schumacher, who are averaging 9 and 11 points respectively. 

Off the court, the team has partnered with Gifts for Winona for the annual SMU Men’s Basketball Toy Drive, which took place on Dec. 8 during their game against Crown College. Everyone in attendance was encouraged to donate a toy that was later distributed to boys and girls in the Winona area who are in need this Christmas. This is the 11^th year the event has been taking place and helping kids during the Christmas season. 

Hockey hopes to help community

By Katie Krull

Cardinal Staff

The Saint Mary’s men’s hockey team continues to give back to the community through their annual games to honor veterans and donate teddy bears to Toys for Tots. 

This is the second year that the SMU hockey team has hosted a game to honor veterans. This game really hits home for the Cardinals because of an alumnus that had served in Afghanistan and lost both of his legs in a tragic accident. 

“We thought that it would be a good way to honor him,” said Head Coach Bill Moore. “And it went over so well we decided to make it an annual event.” The proceeds of this year’s game have been donated to help maintain Vet’s Park at Lake Winona. In addition to dedicating the game to veterans, the players also donated their time to repaint parts of the park.

The hockey team also hosts the “Teddy Bear Toss.” This game, which benefits Toys for Tots, was inspired by watching other teams give back to their communities. For this game, the fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears or buy teddy bears at the game to throw onto the ice after the Cardinals’ first goal or the first period. This event has been taking place for three years, and the SMU hockey team is one of the largest contributors to Winona’s Toys for Tots foundation, according to Coach Moore.

The Cardinals wrap up the first half of their season with all away games.  However, students are encouraged to wish the Cardinals good luck and attend the games during second semester.

When the hockey team isn’t donating their time to the community, they are on the ice sharpening their skills in order to maintain a winning conference record. 

Opinion: Palestinian living conditions less than adequate

By Tom Walker and Kristin Wilkes 

Students in LCT 375 E

Throughout the semester in Dorothy Diehl’s global issues Lasallian Core Traditions (LCT), we have been studying issues in Palestine. We have primarily been discussing the rights of Palestinians that have been violated by the Israelis. 

Our focus has been on articles from the Declaration of Human Rights, created by the United Nations. Each article states a different right that all humans are entitled to. Our current assignment is to create an awareness campaign about how one of the rights of the Palestinians has been violated as stated in the Declaration of Human Rights. Our group has the right to an adequate standard of living. Please continue reading for more information on this issue and what you can do to help.

Could you live on less than the minimum amount of water each day? Could you live without electricity for 16 hours a day? Could you support your family without a job? These are many things that people in America take for granted, but it is part of daily life for many Palestinians. According to the Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report of 2009 by the United Nations, 80% of the population in the Gaza Strip could support themselves and are dependent on humanitarian assistance in 2009.  It also stated that almost 95% of the water pumped in the Gaza Strip was polluted and unfit for drinking. Palestinians’ right to an adequate standard of living is violated every day.

The issues in Palestine have not improved since their displacement in 1948, so this has been going on for 64 years. As Americans, we need to become more educated about these issues in Palestine in order to end the occupation. One way to stay educated is to enter the emailing list of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR). Education can be one of the strongest forms of support, so keep your friends and family educated as well. 

Another thing we can do is write letters to local and state representatives asking them to take action in the Palestinian conflict.  Their human rights have obviously been violated. Not only is this against the law, but it is against what we stand for.