The Wake

Jeff Siple, 20, needed to replace his U Card twice in little more than a year and a half as a student at the University of Minnesota. The first time the U Card Office replaced the card for free, which was only a year after receiving his first card; the horizontal stripes showed normal “wear and tear.” The second time his card quit working, the ‘U’ wasn’t so generous about the vertical wear stripes. It turns out his U Card rubbed against the raised numbers on the credit card in his wallet. Like thousands every year, Siple had to pay …

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In the height of the McCarthy era, beat poet Allen Ginsberg asked, “America, why are your libraries full of tears?” It was intended to be a metaphor for American history books lining library shelves. However, Ginsberg probably couldn’t foresee what his metaphor would mean 50 years later.Since the USA Patriot Act was passed in October 2001, librarians across the country haven’t been telling people to stay quiet with the snap of a ruler. They’ve become one of the country’s most outspoken critics of the act.“Libraries don’t try to stand in the way of law enforcement,” said Eric Celeste, Associate University …

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The first Greek organization appeared on campus in 1874, and since then, 38 different fraternities and sororities have settled at the University of Minnesota to invite more into their fold. Today, roughly 1,500 students are members of the Greek community. This might not be significant compared to the 49,400 students who were enrolled at the University last semester, but it does show many people are interested in the Greek community. What are the reasons for people participating in this system? Is there something in particular they are looking for? Anyone can go to the nearest BLOCKBUSTER, rent Animal House or …

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As University Rec Center patrons circle the track in the Fieldhouse and intramural-soccer games heat up nearby, the Men’s Rugby club is plopped right in the middle of the action taking part in what some may call Rugby 101. Spring is the season of a fresh start and high expectations for the club which has a high turnover of new athletes each season. The majority of the competition, including the national tournament, takes place in the fall so the newcomers and veterans can use the spring to get back to basics and build a chemistry heading into …

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So the ref blew a call. So what? The zebra turned his head and missed the illegal screen under the hoop. Big deal. Big deal!? “The refs need to see both sides of the game. They can play physical, but we can’t play physical,” said former Minnesota Golden Gopher and current NBA player Bobby Jackson last April. “I’d rather have high school refs than NBA refs.” It comes as no surprise his comments came after the Sacramento Kings lost to the Utah Jazz that night. Hopefully, Jackson remembers to file the $7,500 “donation” in his tax return after the NBA …

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A mode of transportation like nothing else is skiing across country. All you need for the sport are some skies, poles, snow and some open trails. The University of Minnesota Nordic Ski Club team consists of a great mix of people who have experience with the sport and also some who are just interested in learning. Cross country skiing is a physically exhausting sport. If you want to be able to compete, you must have great endurance, so the team spends much of its time getting in shape. During the winter months, the team practices daily at local parks, a …

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So what makes Aaron Robinson move so darn quick on the basketball court? Is it the Jay-Z album bumping in his headphones before the game or his motivational prayer during the national anthem? Both of these pre-game rituals and a desire to change the game to a faster level has made Aaron Robinson one of the scrappiest players in the Big 10. The junior guard from Rockford, Ill. relishes in his spark-plug style of play and loves to use his energy to change the tempo of the game. Coaches welcome that attitude from any player …

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Aahh…February again. Out come the pink hearts, red flowers, squishy teddy bears and enormous amounts of stress for both the single and the committed! What to do? Where to go? And how to say what you feel? Here are a few guidelines to help you out on the holiday:Single?DO: Smile flirtatiously at your crush. People are looking for love and/or booty this week more than any other, so he or she may be more apt to take the hint and say hello. Wear something you feel sexy in, whether it is a T-shirt and jeans, or a cute skirt or …

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While dining on my roast beast over the holiday break, I took time to read over the December issue of The Wake in its entirety. I came across a column that didn’t have kind words for the governor of our state, Tim Pawlenty. The author of the piece (“A Battle Cry Against Tuition Hikes: Reflections on the Student Protest Paradox”), Eric Magnuson, opinionated that the majority of blame for consistent tuition hikes the University of Minnesota implements should rest with our governor. Although Magnuson acknowledged the Board of Regents does make the ultimate decision on tuition increases, Pawlenty is the …

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Gov. Tim Pawlenty is not the sole villain responsible for continued tuition hikes at the University of Minnesota, but he definitely set the trend of this downward spiral. The higher education system of our state is facing a $170 million cut in the 2003-2004 biennium thanks to Pawlenty’s tax policies. He refuses to raise taxes even while his massive spending cuts are still not enough to keep Minnesota in the black.Pawlenty attributes the state’s economic turmoil to a spending problem. Examining the statistics reveals that there may be another side to the story. While in recent years, Minnesota has only …

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Valentine’s Day is designed to give guys an opportunity to show they have a romantic side. Some people actually plan this day months in advance because they want the night to be “perfect.” Even department stores will get into the spirit of the day by carrying romantic items such as flowers, candy and massage oil, or kinkier accessories like handcuffs, chocolate body syrup and flavored condoms. After all the gifts have been purchased and the reservations have been made, guys will go all out to make sure that their woman will have an evening that she will never forget. A …

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Since 1991, John Darnielle, the one-man powerhouse behind the Mountain Goats, has released more than 30 seven-inches, tapes and CDs. Self-recording most of his music with an acoustic guitar and a Panasonic boombox, Darnielle has developed a cult-like following. Fans have to search for the songs, too - most of the Mountain Goats’ albums came out on a handful of obscure labels, many now extinct. This homemade feel lends a personal quality to the Mountain Goats’ folky yet often pissed-off songs, capturing every flubbed guitar chord and voice crack in a medium Darnielle compares to a Polaroid snapshot - instant …

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There are hundreds of restaurants in the Twin Cities that are ideal for spending a special Valentine’s date. One of them, right in the U’s back yard, is the Loring Pasta Bar.The Loring’s décor sets the mood for romance. The main dining room’s two plus-story ceiling opens the room, allowing guests to view the magnificent decoration; yet the seating setup—oversized moon-shaped booths and generously spaced tables—keeps each party’s dining experience private. Heavily dimmed lighting is set off by disco balls reflecting teal and fuchsia rays. Live trees, some 12 or 15 feet tall, positioned throughout the room cause diners to …

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Exaggeration, white lies and stretching the truth – all common ideas associated with Tim Burton’s latest film, Big Fish.A man who could never be accused of being unimaginative, Burton has not only matured with this heartfelt story of family ties but has also proved to audiences that his work is more than simply something to poke fun at.Burton, who directed such films as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice and Batman, has been stuck in the ultra-imaginary, where the boundaries of the surreal are stretched through exotic settings and fantasy-like characters, competing with storylines that could only …

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If shows like Family Guy and The Simpsons have taught us anything, it’s cartoons are not just for kids anymore. Anyone who says differently has obviously never seen South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. Cartoons have always played on people’s senses of whimsy and humor, although some have more fun exploring the seedier side of human nature. The French animated film, The Triplets of Belleville, certainly belongs in the latter category. Animated films have long been a staple for adults as well as children and Triplets is no exception. A good old-fashioned tug-of-war between good and evil, Triplets is a treat, …

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