Macalester students dine against mining

Students at Macalester College will host a dinner on Friday, March 7 at 6:30 to raise funds for the clearance of mines in Afghanistan. The dinner, which will take place in the Hill Ballroom of Kagin Commons, will collect money to be donated to the United Nations of Minnesota's Adopt-A-Team Minefield campaign.

The organization plans to raise $200,000 to send a year's worth of de-mining teams to Afghanistan, which has the highest level of landmine contamination in the world. Their explosions cause 150-300 deaths each month. Co-organizer Martins Blums '03 is quoted in the news release announcing the event, "Every dollar that is spent in removing land mines or helping landmine survivors results in $4 of annual economic activity in Afghanistan," he said.

Reservations are required for the event, and tickets cost $20 per person. The deadline for purchase is March 1. More information about the event can be received by contacting the International Center or Tricia Gonwa, tgonwa@macalester.edu.
 

Five professors awarded tenure

At a council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19, City Councilman Jay Benanav presented a resolution opposing war with Iraq to the St. Paul City Council. Eighty-three cities in the U.S. have already passed resolutions against the impending war, as well as the states of Maine and Hawaii, according to the Resolution.

The document states its support of the members of the armed forces and opposes "unilateral military action against Iraq … urging President Bush to continue to seek a peaceful resolution of issues in a diplomatic manner."

The resolution asserts that U.S. Representative from St. Paul, Betty McCollum, has been contacted by over 2,500 constituents who oppose a unilateral attack on Iraq. It also says that the State of Minnesota will be expected to bear a financial burden of $1.4 billion in the case of war, at a time when the state is already amidst a serious budget crisis.

"Committing American troops to Iraq will put in harm's way citizens of St. Paul, a disproportionate number of which represent racial and ethnic minorities and low-income families," the resolution says.

Citizens were encouraged to attend Wednesday's meeting to help get the resolution passed. At press time it's passage could not yet be confirmed.
 

Like Earth?

Planning is underway for Earth Day and Earth Week (that of April 21) … If you're interested in helping out, contact Environmental Studies Program Coordinator at romero@macalester.edu.