Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

All content by Jessica Thompson

House debate results in cutback of benefits for same-sex partners

by Jessica Thompson
Published June 10, 2002

As the state Legislature battled over whether to grant benefits to the partners of gay state workers last month, some University workers had no idea their own partners were also at risk. But because of...

Group claims responsibility for St. Paul fire

by Jessica Thompson
Published January 31, 2002

The underground environmental activist group Earth Liberation Front claimed responsibility Wednesday for setting fire to two St. Paul campus buildings. No people or animals were injured in the Saturday...

House considers state casinos

by Jessica Thompson
Published December 6, 2001

The Mall of America could contain Minnesota's first state-operated casino if some state legislators have their way. Despite protests from Minnesota American Indian tribes, state legislators are considering...

Capital Investment Committee tours U buildings

by Jessica Thompson
Published December 4, 2001

Wearing hard hats and safety goggles, state senators toured University construction sites Monday to see how the school's approximately $240 million 2002 Capital Request would be put to use. The Senate...

Senate passes veteran aid bill

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 20, 2001

When homeless veteran Willis McKinley came home from the Vietnam War, he thought he could leave his drug addictions, depression and painful memories of combat behind. McKinley came back to Minnesota expecting...

House threatens U same-sex benefits

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 16, 2001

When gay state employee Louise Hotka went on strike with 23,000 of her fellow union employees this fall, her sexual orientation wasn't an issue. The workers' contracts already included health and dental...

House hears amendment to restrict state abortion funding

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 14, 2001

Abortion opponents packed a hearing room at the State Capitol on Monday, asking legislators to cease state funding of abortions. "There's absolutely no reason whatsoever why taxpayers who in general are...

State House considers new quarantine powers

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 6, 2001

The state will have the power to forcefully quarantine citizens and pick who receives vaccines during public health emergencies if one state legislator has his way. Despite concern the bill could threaten...

U union members vote to accept contract deal

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 2, 2001

The workers' votes are in, and the University's administration can breathe a temporary sigh of relief. University technical, clerical and health care workers - one-third of the University's 14,330 employees...

U workers begin voting on contract

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 30, 2001

University technical and clerical workers started voting Monday to either support or reject their tentative 2001-03 contract agreements with the University's administration. If union workers reject the...

U union workers vote on contract

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 24, 2001

Some University union workers have a choice - either approve a new contract or hit the picket lines. University health care employees took to the polls Tuesday to vote on their tentative 2001-03 contract...

Ventura’s house, Capitol checked for anthrax

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 18, 2001

In response to growing reports of anthrax exposure, health officials inspected areas of the Minnesota State Capitol and Gov. Jesse Ventura's residences Wednesday for the deadly bacteria. Ventura's spokesman...

Congress looks to triple state’s border security

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 16, 2001

Anti-terrorist legislation in the final stages of congressional approval is drawing criticism from civil liberties groups and some House Democrats. The Senate voted 96-1 Thursday to pass the USA Act of...

Deal reached in state strike

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 15, 2001

After two weeks of striking, more than 23,000 state employees returned to work Monday after state and union officials reached a contract agreement Sunday. The agreement - made at 2 a.m. Sunday - will give...

Strike talks resume; no deal reached yet

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 12, 2001

Union leaders and state mediators began negotiations Thursday in the first formal talks between the groups since more than 23,000 state employees went on strike earlier this month. Citing unlivable wages...

Rescuers rally with strikers

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 11, 2001

Union members from Washington, D.C., and New York City - including two ground zero workers - spoke at the State Capitol on Wednesday in support of Minnesota's more than 23,000 striking employees. Posters...

U workers support statewide strike

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 2, 2001

State agencies struggled to keep up with their workload Monday as an estimated 21,000 state employees hit the picket lines - the largest state workers' strike in Minnesota's history. After negotiations...

Nader calls for ‘permanent patriotism’ in Northrop speech

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 26, 2001

Ralph Nader might have lost in his bid for the presidency last year, but the grassroots activist hasn't given up his crusade to increase civic involvement. In a speech at the University's Northrop Auditorium...

Hard Times wins motion in battle with city

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 21, 2001

The West Bank's Hard Times Cafe won a small victory Thursday in its two-year battle with the city of Minneapolis to stay in business. The Hennepin County 4th District Judicial Court ruled in favor of an...

State Capitol memorial draws 35,000

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 17, 2001

The State Capitol was eerily silent Sunday afternoon, despite the estimated 35,000 people who gathered to grieve Tuesday's terrorist attacks and celebrate the lives of the victims. Many waved American...

State union delays strike; date set for Oct. 1

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 13, 2001

In response to Tuesday's terrorist attacks, Minnesota state and union officials agreed Wednesday to postpone contract negotiations intended to deter a statewide employee strike. Earlier this month, more...

Plan for health center includes more faculty, new technology

by Jessica Thompson
Published December 8, 2000

The University Board of Regents met Thursday to discuss proposals for a six-year plan to strengthen the University's Academic Health Center. A growing concern has been whether or not the Center is keeping...

U launches civic responsibility task force

by Jessica Thompson
Published December 4, 2000

The University Task Force on Civic Engagement will meet for the first time tomorrow afternoon to discuss plans to increase civic responsibility throughout the school. Task force and advisory panel members...

Alumna begins project to document accomplishments of minorities at U

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 30, 2000

Freelance writer Julie Medbery set up shop inside Elmer L. Andersen Library on Wednesday with one goal -- to dig up lost information about groups previously ignored in University records. The University's...

Disabled students,

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 20, 2000

Disabled University students and staff already have a hard time getting to Boynton Health Service because of a lack of parking. Facilities Management officials, however, said the University can't afford...

Survey finds increasing freshman satisfaction with U

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 10, 2000

A survey released by the Office of Student Development reveals high levels of overall satisfaction among University freshmen. Eight hundred University students were mailed a First-Year Freshman Experience...

Despite vandalism and threats, forum will take place

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 2, 2000

Despite hostility and threats of violence toward the event's host, "An Open Forum on Racism, Sexism, and Homophobia in America Today" is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. today in the Hubert H. Humphrey...

New apartment owners plan to reduce student housing

by Jessica Thompson
Published November 1, 2000

Miscommunication between management and residents of the West Bank's Seven Corners Apartments has led to debates over how an upcoming shift in ownership will affect renters -- more than 70 percent of whom...

Sayles Belton joins U.S. mayors to promote inner-city development

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 26, 2000

Since the development of the suburbs, urban areas have faced an uphill battle for the attention of policy-makers concerning such issues as inadequate housing and low levels of commercial and retail development. In...

Property tax reform ranks

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 23, 2000

With elections approaching, local candidates running for office place state tax reform high on their campaign agenda. Minnesotans pay the third highest income tax, second highest motor-vehicle tax, third...

Disabilities Services takes a look back at improvements at U

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 19, 2000

In honor of Disability Awareness Month, University Disability Services hosted a dinner Wednesday celebrating the inclusion and advancements of disabled students and faculty. Disabilities Services was organized...

Specialized charter school provides desire to learn

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 17, 2000

When 17-year-old Marc Smith left Minneapolis' Northeast Middle School last year, he was hoping to escape the prejudice that ostracized him. The Ojibwe Indian left public schools and sought refuge at a...

Coming Out Week celebrates

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 13, 2000

The University's Queer Student Cultural Center and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Programs Office celebrated National Coming Out Week this week with a variety of events and activities geared...

Presentation covers University history after World War II

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 10, 2000

The Minnesota Independent Scholars' Forum launches its fall 2000 public programming at 7:30 p.m. today in the Dayton Performance Hall with a presentation of University developments in the last half-century. "Changes...

Driving poll links anger, diversion

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 9, 2000

A recent survey conducted by Progressive Auto Insurance reveals high levels of driver distraction and aggression, as well as differences between male and female drivers. Released last week, the nationwide...

Lectures focus on history of Armenian Genocide

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 5, 2000

Dr. Richard Hovanissian, a historian of the Armenian Genocide at the University of California, Los Angeles, will present a series of lectures today about the World War I genocide of 1.5 million Armenians...

Students thrive in alternative schools

by Jessica Thompson
Published October 3, 2000

Seeking a personalized education unavailable at larger public schools, many elementary and high school students are turning to local alternative schools for more options. Three schools in the Dinkytown...

innesota sues to end financial aid fraud

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 29, 2000

With tuition skyrocketing, students nationwide are forced to look for financial aid alternatives. But some companies use misleading tactics to take advantage of students -- making promises they don't keep. Recent...

National campaign launched in Minnesota against sweatshops

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 26, 2000

A coalition of human rights, religious, and labor organizations gathered at the Roseville Kohl's department store Monday to protest the company's use of sweatshops in Nicaragua. The protest launches a...

U Internet kiosk success prompts possible nationwide expansion

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 21, 2000

With the goal of making the Internet more accessible to students, staff and faculty members, the University has installed communications kiosks throughout campus. The new $3,500 kiosks provide one-stop...

aw conference to be held in honor of retired professor

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 15, 2000

The Law School will launch a two-day conference on international trade law at 8:15 a.m. today in Lockhart Hall, honoring the work of retired law professor Robert Hudec. "The Political Economy of International...

Student communities aim to simplify advising process

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 12, 2000

Choosing a major is hard enough, and getting bounced around the University from adviser to adviser only adds to the confusion. The College of Liberal Arts has changed its advising program this fall to...

U construction causes obstructions for students

by Jessica Thompson
Published September 5, 2000

The endless construction crews, signs and detours on campus might leave the University community wondering what provoked the recent boom of renovations at the University. In 1998, the Legislature, Gov....

Students empowered by housing rights

by Jessica Thompson
Published June 7, 2000

Despite an increasingly tight rental market, students should not feel forced to settle for unsuitable housing, said Barbara Boysen, a legal assistant with University Student Legal Service. Students, just...

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