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April 30, 2007

This is only a test...

Minnesota Daily, MINNEAPOLIS - On Wednesay, the U of M sent out 60,000 test emergency e-mails in just 12 minutes. According to University Spokesman Dan Wolter, this is a 90% improvement over the e-mails sent out after the bomb threat on April 18th. [full story here]

By dividing the load across 10 different servers, instead of using the normal University e-mail channels, the e-mails were able to increase the speed of the dissemination.

But the University isn't simply relying on e-mail. Audio alarms such as fire alarms or telephone calls are also used, and the U also plans to explore the text messaging avenue, but again - volume is a concern for providers. The U is also considering a text only homepage during emergencies in response to the long load times experienced after the bomb threat.

The U plans on sending out test e-mails once every three months.

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Posted by Shelby Capacio at 2:39 AM | | Comments (0)

April 18, 2007

Bomb threat at University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota, MINNEAPOLS - Eight buildings on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota have been evacuated as a result of a bomb threat found in a bathroom.

Taken from the University Website

Building Evacuations on East Bank

All employees working in any of the buildings listed below are required to leave the building and will be dismissed from work for the remainder of the day with pay.

Employees scheduled to work evenings or night shifts in these buildings should report to their normal reporting sites in Mechanical Engineering and Scott Hall.

Unless notified otherwise all employees should report to work as usual on Thursday.

Kohltoff Hall, Smith Hall, Fraiser Hall, Science Classroom Building, Walter Library, Johnston Hall, Morrill Hall, Appleby Hall.

I have class on the opposite side of the mall right now and I am not going. It is better to be safe than sorry. If you have a class in Tate, Ford, Murphy, Lind, or even on to the CSci building, or the Biology building - I say do not go. Call your friends, make sure they're somewhere safe, and stay safe yourself.

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Posted by Shelby Capacio at 4:03 PM | | Comments (1)

April 14, 2007

Bad press for them is bad press for U

Minnesota Daily, MINNEAPOLIS - The rape charges brought against the 3 University of Minnesota football players may do more than injure reputations and/or put people behind bars. Allegations such as these can cause less enrollment for the school. [full story here]

The accusations have grabbed the attention of national news sources like USA today and ESPN, generated considerable media buzz within the Twin Cities, and has sparked dialogue about the responsibilities of both student athletes and the press.

Releasing the names of the players by many of the local media outlets was a step in a bad direction, some journalists say. Although the players are arguably in the public eye and they are news-worthy items, the possibility of innocence remains. But that might not be enough, for the gentleman or the U.

Though these three will almost definitely suffer from their names being disclosed, they are not the only ones affected. The University also has a reputation to maintain, and when its reputation suffers, so do enrollments and donations, which could mean higher tuition spikes and increased student services fees.

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Posted by Shelby Capacio at 1:36 PM | | Comments (0)

April 3, 2007

Centennial Hall loses two students in one weekend...

Minnesota Daily, CAMPUS - Just three days after freshman Elomo Lenya accidentally drowned, an accidental fall off of a parking ramp claimed the life of another University freshman. [full story here]

Kyle Sharbonno, 19, was seen on parking lot surveillance cameras at 1:36 a.m. He was alone, and he appared intoxicated - his most recent status update on facebook was made the night of the fall, and it references a beer pong tourney. An officer was trying to find Sharbonno when the 911 calls started coming in, saying he had fallen.

One witness, Michelle Hisdahl, said she saw him fall.

She said she watched him climb over to sit on the ledge. She dialed 911, but waited to press the call button.

He sat there for about 10 seconds and then fell, she said.

"It didn't look purposeful, but I can't say for sure," she said.

It had been raining that night, and she couldn't see fully because of a tree, but when she saw him fall she called 911 and ran with a friend to the scene. Several witnesses were already there.

Police don't assume any foul-play, but they're still trying to determine what led to the accident. Sharbonnoo died Sunday afternoon as a result of his injuries.

Sharbonno's Facebook Wall has been buried by friends and loved one's paying final tributes. Dates for services have not yet been released, but University counselors are available for those affected by the deaths of both Lenya and Sharbonno.

Again, my condolences to the friends and family of this young man.

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Posted by Shelby Capacio at 10:46 AM | | Comments (0)

April 2, 2007

U student drowns

Minnesota Daily, CAMPUS - 20-year-old Elomo Lenya accidentally drowned while visiting a friend on Thursday night. [ full story here]

The Daily cranked out a very human article explaining the circumstances of Elomo's death. She had visited her mother only three hours prior, and was going to visit and swim with a 15-year-old friend whom she had once mentored in Cameroon. Her friend saw her struggling, and called for help, but it was too late.

Elomo had a lot of ambitions, and was very close to her family. She was studying medicine, and hoped to return to Africa with her father, Emmanual Lenya, to help with the relief effort.

So far, service dates have not been set, but if you wish to make a donation to help her family with the funeral costs, (both abroad and here in the United States) here is the necessary information.

Check Checks should be made payable to the "Elomo Kuna Lenya Fund." Donations should be sent to:
Mr. Wilson Ekinde
8593 Savanna Oaks Lane
Woodbury, MN 55125

Phone: (651) 501-3661
Cell: (651) 329-7272

Credit Card
TCF Bank can be reached at 1-800-823-2265. Ask for the "Elomo Kuna Lenya Fund."

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Posted by Shelby Capacio at 10:19 AM | | Comments (0)

March 31, 2007

University student dies in New Brighton drowning accident

Minnesota Daily, NEW BRIGHTON - University of Minnesota freshman Elomo Lenya died last night in what police believe is was an accidental drowning at an indoor pool in New Brighton. [full story here.]

The article doesn't give much information, other than she was seen having difficulty swimming. A manager from a nearby building attempted to revive her, but it the emergency services found her unconscious next to the pool. She died at the scene.

According to Onestop, she was enrolled in Bio Sciences, although her Facebook profile says she was focusing in Medicine. Lenya came from from Duouala, Cameroon to study at the University. Her facebook profile says she liked it here, and enjoyed reading and dancing.

Neither the Star Tribune nor the PiPress have anything yet, but the Daily promises more information on Monday. More information as it comes out. My condolences to Elomo's family and friends.

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March 4, 2007

Pope and the Witch Opens, Controversy Ensues

Minnesota Daily, MINNEAPOLIS - The Pope and the Witch, though delayed by Thursday's blizzard and subsequent closing of the University of Minnesota buildings, opened on Friday on Rarig's mainstage. Some folks really aren't happy about it. [full story here]

The University's decision to mount this particular play play, which has been described as a "blasphemous" "attack on Catholicism" has recieved a lot of attention and heat recently. But the U went on in the name of artistic expression (increasing the security and checking bags along the way), and the show opened against the wishes of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Though the pre-opening buzz was considerable, attracting several local news sources, few anticipated the stir created on opening night when semarian protestors from St. John Vianney College Seminary recited the Lord's prayer, the rosary, and sang hymns outside of Rarig before Friday's opening.

Some see Thursday's cancellation as an act of God, showing his displeasure with the content of the play. For more information on the opening night happenings: click here.

Robert Rosen, director of Pope and the Witch, never thought the reaction would be this strong. In his director's statement, he explains that he chose this play because it is politically relevant to our daily lives. He stands by his production, and he defends the right of students and others to learn through satire, parody, and art - even when views are unpopular.

In an effort to create learning and understanding for all, there is a meeting before March 8th's performance. A Town Hall meeting is being held between 4:00 and 6:00 to discuss the play and its content. Afterward, the play will run and a talk-back will follow the performance. The public is encouraged to come.

The show will run through March 9th, without performances on the 5th and 6th. For ticket information call 612.624.2345

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Posted by Shelby Capacio at 12:54 AM | | Comments (0)

March 1, 2007

OFFICIAL REPORT: Hell Hath Frozen Over

It's true. The University of Minnesota has closed due to snow conditions.

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The University of Minnesota is closing and canceling all classes and evening activities effective at 2:30 p.m. today, Provost Thomas Sullivan announced today.

"In light of current conditions and the forecast for severely worsening
weather, this is an appropriate measure at this time," said Sullivan.
"The mid-afternoon closing of metro area schools, colleges and
universities and other institutions made it even clearer that this is the
right thing to do."

President Robert Bruininks' State of the University address, which was scheduled for this afternoon, will be rescheduled.

CONTACT: Daniel Wolter, 612-625-8520, 651-485-3214 cell

So enjoy your brief hours of freedom. Stay warm and stay safe, drive carefully if you must and beware the impending Snow Emergency when parking.

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Posted by Shelby Capacio at 2:45 PM | | Comments (0)