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Renderos said the event would be free for Hamline students and $5 the general public.

The concert will be on March 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Klas Center ballroom.

In an effort to raise money above and beyond the cover charge, attendees will be asked to make a goodwill donation.

In addition to the concert, HSTR raised $1,330.40 through meal plan and declining balance donations, group member Mike Pesko said.

Originally, Aramark was only going to donate $1,200, the equivalent of 500 meals at $2.40 each, however,
Pesko said he is happy that Sharon Tracy, director of dining services, allowed declining balance to be donated, and which pushed the number above the originally promised maximum of $1,200.

Students from 17 private colleges will spend their Thursday lobbying Minnesota legislators to prioritize state financial aid grants, participating in Minnesota Private Colleges Day at the Capitol.

According to Tim McDonald, president of the Minnesota Association of Private College Students (MAPCS), approximately half of all Hamline students receive a state grant, averaging around $3,000.

While MAPCS lobbies the legislature year-round, McDonald said this event is the only big advocacy push for state grants.

“It’s a unique thing to go into a senator’s office and speak with them on an issues that’s important to you,” McDonald said.

After meeting with legislators, Susan Heegaard, director of the Minnesota Higher Education Services
Office; Senator Sandy Pappas, chair of the Higher Education Budget Committee; and Representative Bud
Nornes, the chair of the House Higher Education Finance Committee, will speak to students in the rotunda.

Free transportation will provided for university students to and from the capitol at 8:00 a.m., leaving from the student center.

MPIRG survey still in planning stage

Looking to renew their current one-year contract with Hamline, MPIRG began planning a campus-wide survey, knowing the results may determine future funding from the university, said Kari Rudd, chair of MPIRG’s state board of directors.

The survey’s parameters will be finalized by a group led by Rudd, to which Melissa Embser-Herbert,
MPIRG’s faculty representative, and institutional assessment director Mary Heather Smith. HUSC representatives were also invited, Rudd said, although none attended.

After HUSC declined to recommend that the administration renew MPIRG’s contract, the administration signed a one-year contract, contingent on the upcoming survey to determine student MPIRG support.

Currently, MPIRG receives funds from a refuseable, refundable fee from students.

Rudd said at least 51 percent of the survey respondents must support the fee system for MPIRG’s contract to be renewed.

Rudd said she is not worried about the contract, as prior surveys have yielded over 70 percent approval.
MPIRG will hold another meeting on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m. in GLC 105W.

- Matt Lutz