Are we competitive? Last in a series looking at the university’s Advanced Placement acceptance policy

For the Lade family, Hamline University has always been an important institution. Stuart Lade, a teacher of U.S. History at Brainerd High School in Brainerd, Minn., attended Hamline as an undergraduate in the ‘60s. His eldest daughter Dana received her diploma in ‘99, and his youngest daughter Erika will be graduating in May. But for all of the Lade family’s history with the university, Stuart Lade is now telling the top students at Brainerd High not to go to Hamline, because their hard work will not be appreciated here.

“Since the experience that the class of 2001 has had at Hamline, we aggressively suggest to our students that they don’t go there,” Lade said, in regard to Hamline’s AP acceptance policy and the apparent inconsistencies experienced by students in the policy’s implementation. “The work they have accomplished in high school is respected at other places, but they get no respect [at Hamline].”

For Zoo, cosmetic surgery on elderly edifices

Ferns, orchids, bonsai trees, windows, and bathrooms are all new to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory this year. A long-awaited and much-needed visitor center opened this month, as the first installment in what’s to come for Como.

Como Zoo, founded in 1897 with the donation of three deer, and the Conservatory, built in 1915, have both undergone major restoration and renovations, in order to offer visitors a more pleasant, convenient, and educational experience.

The new Visitor Center offers a variety of amenities, including classrooms for educational programs, a gift shop, indoor bathrooms, and a cafe. The opening of the Visitor Center is the first in a series of events taking place this year for the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.

Editorial

Big changes are in store for Hamline’s residence halls next fall semester. Changes so big, you may be forced to re-examine your fundamental worldview.

And no, it’s not installation of overhead lights in Manor.

Sorin and the Heights will be set aside for first-years only. Yes, these former bastions of football players and international students will now be the home of Hamline’s next crop of wee first-years. Although some may question the effect on retention rates that relegating our new students to the worst dorms on campus will have on retention rates, we view this change as a chance for first-years to build a real community spirit, safe from upper-class students with their predatory sexual advances and alcohol-buying abilities.

2005 Oscar predictions

In 2004, we saw Best Picture nominees featuring a beloved entertainer, a billionaire, a female boxer, a children’s author, and two drunken bachelors. In other words, Oscar proved once again his eclectic taste.
As a reference for your Oscar-predicting contests, here’s a guide to the “Big Six” categories (remember me if you win big!).

For Best Picture, The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Baby, Ray, and Sideways.

I predict that this is the film that will win: The Aviator. This is the closest this category’s been in years, with Million Dollar Baby being just as likely to take the top prize.

But with its 11 nominations, its glamorous Hollywood subject matter, and its sweeping length (always go with the long movie), the aviation epic will trump the boxing match.

Hamline gymnastics dominates Winona State University

Aaron Swanum
Sports Editor

Hamline’s gymnasts continued their strong showing this season, easily defeating Winona State University at Hamline on Feb. 16.

The Pipers were able to defeat Winona in every single event of the competition and ultimately beat the Warriors by a score of 178.675-167.575.

Hamline’s Brittany Ehlis scored a 36.15 to take home first place in the all-around event. She posted scores of 9.175 in the uneven bars and 9.15 in the floor exercise.

Ashley Calhoon totaled a 9.025 in the vault, and Meggan McClelland scored a 9.3 on the balance beam.

Under the covers...with Molly Kirwan

Dear Molly:
I’ve been on the pill for a while now and I’m just plain sick of it. I feel like it messes with my head and that I don’t even have control over my emotions anymore and I’m sick of having to worry or use a condom for a week if I miss a pill or take it late. I feel like the side effects are not worth it (I’ve even gained weight) and I’m ready to find a new method of birth control. Only problem is that I’m sort of squeamish about things like shots and the idea of anything being inserted “down there.” Do you have any recommendations of what I should do?
Looking for a New Way