Presidential hopeful presents
Talks election with students
Friday, Nov. 17, 2023
ASA manages tighter budget post-pandemic
Abbey Stegenga
she/her
agstegenga21@ole.augie.edu
The Augustana Student
Association has been operat-
ing with a slim percent of its
fall budget after a decreased
financial surplus from pre-
vious years and a return to
pre-pandemic allocations
made less non-allocated
money available.
A graph comparing the cost of tuition at Augustana over the past ten years.
Tuition to raise in fall 2024
Nora Winckler
she/her
nvwinckler21@ole.augie.edu
Augustana’s tuition is set to
raise by 2.48% in the 2024-2025
academic year, increasing the
cost of attendance by $1,220 per
student. The increase includes
the costs for overall tuition, fees,
room and board.
In 2024-2025, total under-
graduate direct costs will be
$49,880 before tax. Currently, it
costs $48,660.
Adam Heinitz, associate
See page 6
MIRROR
THE AUGUSTANA
Reflecting the student body since 1908
A smaller percentage of
non-allocated funds means
ASA has had less money to di-
rect towards senator projects
and has had to be cautious in
how much it gives to funding
requests from ASA recognized
student organizations.
However, ASA President
Lauren Teller said the tight-
er budget has offered ASA
opportunities to implement
improved structures and reg-
vice president of enrollment
management, said the tuition
increase was necessary to bol-
ster the operational budget
of Augustana.
“The necessity of it is real-
ly to kind of make it all work,”
Heinitz said. “From the basic
things like housing, heat, food
to the exceptional educational
experiences and student life ex-
periences. Those things all cost
more than they did a year ago
and certainly more than they
did a few years ago.”
According to chief financial
Football clinches NSIC title
ulations around spending to
better support future senates.
“We haven’t faced a year
in a while in my time on
ASA and my time at Aug-
ie,where we have had to be
this intentional about spend-
ing our money, this fiscally
conservative or responsible,”
Teller said.
ASA recorded a $158,000
allocation from student
fees for the 2023 fall semes-
Graph by Abbey Stegenga
officer Shannan Nelson, the uni-
versity has annually increased
tuition for the past 15 years by
an average of 2-4%. Last year,
the direct cost of attendance
increased by 5%, and in 2022-
2023, it increased by 4%.
Nelson said the increase will
still allow Augustana to remain
competitive with other univer-
sities and colleges in the region,
such as Morningside University
and Dordt University.
“With our regional peers,
See TUITION, page 9
Vikings victorious
See page 10
Vol. CXII No. 3
ter, a slight increase from
the amount it received in
fall 2022.
Each semester, ASA must
distribute significant por-
tions of its budget to what it
calls “tier-one organizations.”
This fall, just over $55,000 of
its budget went to the Union
Board of Governors and
$31,600 went to Viking Days.
Lauren Teller
See BUDGET, page 3
Suspicious non-
students make
apperances
around campus
Jack Erickson per said.
he/him Over October, one ju-
jrerickson21@ole.augie.edu nior female-identifying
student experienced sever-
From Oct. 16 to Nov.
al encounters with one of
9, the Campus Safety log
these subjects.
recorded 12 occasions of
As she typed away on
suspicious or intoxicated
her laptop in the Mikkelsen
non-students on campus
Library, a man, who to her
and in-person harassment
appeared to be about 30
towards students, primarily
years old, approached her.
directed towards those who
He asked for advice about
identify as female.
connecting to the wifi. After
Rick Tupper, associate
she answered him shortly,
vice president of Campus
he eventually walked away.
Safety and logistics, said
Over the next week, the
Campus Safety has no-
man approached the stu-
ticed increasing rates of
dent three more times,
non-students on campus in
going as far as walk-
recent months.
ing into her study room
“We have seen an increase
without permission.
in the number of subjects
In emails from Tupper,
on campus for the wrong
students have been urged
reasons. Some of them
to double check that they
we have experienced have
have locked their cars and
been mental health issues,
report any suspicious ac-
some have been substance
tivity or individuals on or
abuse-related and some are
just here to steal stuff,” Tup-
See SAFETY, page 9
 2 NEWS
Criminal justice joins list of majors
Alayna Jones
she/her
ajones20@ole.augie.edu
As part of the Viking Bold plan, Au-
gustana added a criminal justice major
to the academic catalog for the 2023-
2024 year. Approved in mid-October
by the Higher Learning Commission,
students can now add the major for 35
credit hours.
“We’ve had this interest for some
time now,” sociology professor William
Swart said. “As a department structure,
criminal justice will be operating un-
der sociology. There won’t be a whole
new department. For courses, there is
a collection of specific criminal justice
courses and electives.”
Before the addition of the major,
students could major in sociology, psy-
chology or government and include an
emphasis in the criminal justice area.
With this option still available for stu-
dents, the criminal justice major will
provide a larger background to the
field of study, bringing in courses from
various departments.
Government professor David Gol-
emboski will be teaching the required
“Criminal Law” course and an elec-
tive course, titled “Constitutional Law:
Civil Liberties.”
“This elective deals with issues of
criminal procedures of the rights of the
accused,” Golemboski said. “When can
your house be searched? What rights
do you have when you’re arrested?
What rights do you have in the crimi-
nal process in terms of a right to a trial
by jury? And things like that. Those are
things that will be a part of the major.”
Other courses for the major will be
housed in departments such as an-
thropology, psychology, economics
and government.
“You will not need to major in so-
ciology as well,” Golemboski said.
“There will be substantial overlap so
students may find it useful to major in
both. I can also imagine that if students
want to double major in criminal jus-
tice and government or psychology or
even considerably neuroscience if they
have that type of inclination.”
So far, Augustana has hired assis-
tant professor Stacy Sanders, who is
teaching four academic courses this
semester, one of which is “Policing
and Society.”
Abbey Stegenga
Editor-In-Chief
News Editor Nora Winckler
Variety Editor Megan Brown Photographer Ryleigh Tupper
Forum Editor Kat Elgersma Staff Reporters Avneet Tiwana
Sports Editor Alayna Jones
Podcast Editor Veda Tonneson Social Media Editor Alayna Jones
Columnist Ana McCabe ASA Reporter Sam Dixon
Friday, Nov. 17, 2023
Stacy Sanders lectures to students in her class “Policing and Society.”
“We had a candidate interview [on
Nov. 3], so the hire of this person is un-
derway,” Swart said. “The position has
been approved, and we are full steam
ahead in the thick of it now. If things
go the way we hope, we will have the
candidate signed and ready to go by the
end of the semester, but they won’t start
until next fall.”
Golemboski said finding a professor
with a critical perspective on criminol-
ogy and the justice system will be inte-
gral to the major.
“That’s a major part of how the ma-
jor was designed, and there have been
many candidates who have a practice
experience or academic perspective
on the criminal justice system but
don’t share that critical lens,” Golem-
boski said. “We’re holding out for the
right candidate rather than settling for
someone who isn’t exactly the right fit.”
Switching from sociology to a double
major in criminal justice and psycholo-
gy, junior Emma Johnson is pursuing a
career path in federal law enforcement.
She completed a summer internship
this year at the Division of Criminal
Investigation in South Dakota.
Johnson said she is looking forward
to expanding her education with the
new major.
“There’s a criminal justice proce-
dures and systems being taught next
semester, and I think that’s really im-
portant to learn all the branches of law
THE AUGUSTANA
MIRROR
Copy Editor Jack Erickson
Kim Kadrmas
mirror@augie.edu
Photo by Abbey Stegenga
enforcement and what that looks like,”
Johnson said. “We have a lot of guest
speakers in [Policing and Society], so
it’s nice to get that first hand experience
of what these jobs look like.”
Johnson is also taking “Deviance
and Social Control,” a sociology course
with Swart, who has completed gradu-
ate work in criminal justice and devi-
ance and social control.
“What excites me for the new major
is that we really want students to come
away from this major having thought
deeply of criminal justice, about the
practice of policing, how the system is
structured, about the role of connec-
tions and those kinds of things,” Swart
said. “What we’re hoping students get
is the background that a student could
get anywhere, but then sort of an ad-
ditional deeper content is what we’re
shooting for.”
Freshman Nolan Ferri is a criminal
justice major with a minor in anthro-
pology, emphasizing in forensics. He
is also taking Sanders’ “Policing and
Society” course.
“I always want to do the right thing,
and I took a few classes in high school
considering governmental law and
forensics,” Ferri said. “I thought they
were really cool, and I’ve always want-
ed to do something in my life that helps
people. Law enforcement and law is
one way that I can do that.”
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Xavier Carbonneau
Jackson Dircks
Tessa Frederick
Cody Klungseth
@augiemirror
Madisyn Stogsdill
www.augiemirror.com
CAMPUS
SAFETY LOG
Below is a recap of the Campus
Safety incident reports from
Oct. 31 to Nov. 9.
Suspicious person
Nov. 9
Officers responded to the report of
an individual in the Center for Visual
Arts who approached people and tried
to sell them his drawings. Witnesses
said he appeared to be intoxicated.
Suspicious activity
Nov. 7
An officer encountered a vehicle with
its lights off and driving slowly on
Grange Avenue. Upon noticing the
officer, the vehicle sped away, making
a series of turns. An hour later, the
officer noticed the same vehicle
driving slowly on Summit Avenue. The
driver shut off his car lights and sped
away, taking a series of turns to avoid
the unit.
Trespass
Nov. 3
An employee alerted Campus Safety
about a male subject talking with
guests at a prospective student event.
The subject was not affiliated with the
school or the guests. Officers escorted
him off campus after he refused to
identify himself.
Suspicious person
Nov. 1
A student told officers an elderly
male followed her as she entered East
Hall. When she closed and locked the
door, the man was on the steps. She
immediately went to her room and did
not see where the man went.
Hit and run collision
Nov. 1
A man noticed his turn signal was
flashing rapidly as he exited the Madsen
parking lot. After running errands,
he checked the light to discover the
taillight had been hit and broken. The
police issued the man a red tag.
Theft
Oct. 31
A student reported to Campus Safety
that her laundry was removed from a
dryer in the Solberg laundry room. She
placed the clothes in the dryer around
11 a.m. and discovered her property
was missing at 9:15 p.m.
JOIN US
Come to a meeting on Monday
nights at 7 p.m. in HUM 222 or
email mirror@augie.edu
for more information.
REPORT AN ERROR
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with any errors. The Augustana
Mirror corrects all errors
brought to its attention.
www.augiemirror.com Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 NEWS 3
BUDGET Continued from page 1

ASA reserved $30,020 for the Lyft

program this fall, its third largest al-
location. Allocations to Sports Club,
SKOL, Serving and Learning Together
and the Student Success Center fund
added up to about 18.6% of the total
fall budget.
With $5,530 going to NCORE — a
diversity, equity and inclusion leader-
ship summit — and $2,250 directed
towards a van for the International
Programs Office, ASA has only about
2.4% of its fall allocation left and an
estimated 8.4% of its yearly allocation.
ASA is using its remaining budget
to finance the community develop-
ment fund, leadership development
fund, mini grants and service oppor-
tunity fund and non-budgeted items.
“We want our system to be more
financially responsible in a way be-
cause we want to give money to every
club and every entity that comes on
campus,” senior Vedant Thakkar, vice
chair of the finance committee, said.
“But given that we have decreased ca-
pacity to fund, our hands are tied in
some aspects.”
Nearly three months into the fall
semester, ASA has spent $3,991 on
approving students and student orga-
nizations’ requests for funding, $5,100
on fall training and $10,457 paying for Chart by Abbey Stegenga
summer Lyft rides. A pie chart illustrating the breakdown of the ASA fall budget and its by-law allocations.
It also has reserved $15,000 for a
project that would bring solar panels that surplus went to funding the solar “We spent a lot more money last zation’s current budget.
to campus, which the previous senate panel project and the Lyft program’s year, assuming that we had a good On Oct. 1, Augie Dems requested
approved. That leaves about $23,509 summer expenses. chunk of money,” Thakkar said. “What $1,200, but ASA only approved $600.
budgeted for student organizations In order to replace money that we failed to account for is the other The African Student Union requested
for the rest of the year and $1,414 in would have been lost from the sur- costs that would come in. Since all the $1,500 from ASA to fund its Ethio-
the “free-to-spend” category. plus, ASA Treasurer Azam Shaik said senate saw last year was, ‘Oh, we have pian New Year event, and the senate
“[Teller] and Henry [Sule] have the ASA had to look at accounts that had money. We have to spend it,’ we were approved $1,334, the exact cost of
really difficult leadership role of be- more money than they were required more spend happy.” the catering.
ing the first in a couple of years that or supposed to have. Under a recla- The senate also restored UBG’s Teller said the senate is also con-
has to say no because mation clause, ASA funding from 25% of ASA’s total bud- sidering amendments aimed at bet-
those resources are reclaimed $13,696 get to 35%. Teller said ASA voted to ter fiscal responsibility. One of the
dwindling,” Checka from Sports Club and decrease its allocation to UBG in amendments passed on Nov. 12, and
Leinwall, acting dean $4,776 from SKOL 2020 during the COVID-19 pandem- it ensures ASA does not approve any
of students and ASA’s at the start of the ic with the promise of restoring it in retroactive funding requests unless by
adviser, said. “They’re fall semester. the future. a unanimous vote.
doing the best they Thakkar said the “It is fair to [UBG] to re-increase “The amendments that I am push-

“
can in an environ- 2022-2023 ASA it, but that’s just kind of a shift,
” Teller ing through, short term, they’re go-
ment where we’ve operated with a said. “We had a lot of extra money to ing to be painful. They’re going to be
ASA won’t have excess $35,000-50,000 sur- allocate to senator projects that now growing pains,” Thakkar said. “But
had a lot of ‘yes’ be-
money. We will
cause we’ve had a lot
of money.”
According to Thak-
kar, the 2022-2023
probably end up
spending most of our
money year to year
moving forward.
“ plus from the sen- we just don’t have, and that’s okay.”
ate before it. Teller
said the
pandemic
COVID-19 challenges,
in the long term, I hope that these
Although the budget has brought amendments are beneficial for ASA
Teller said ASA has been and the Augustana community.”
resulted working to rethink funding structures In the coming years, Teller, Thakkar
senate spent $7,600 in fewer clubs re- around programs, like Lyft. and Shaik said ASA will likely oper-
Vedant Thakkar
on SOFs, $15,586 on ASA senator questing funding for ASA now regulates the number ate on a similar budget with a small
the CDF, $9,150 on events, so the remain- of rides available each semester, and percent available for funding requests
the LDF and $910 on ing budget contin- students must apply to receive the and senator projects.
mini grants. For this academic year, ued to carry over into future program. After recording month- “In terms of future planning, what
Thakkar said the finance commit- senate budgets. ly expense averages of $7,500, Shaik we see is that this is how it’s going to
tee recommends total costs on these With extra money in the bud- said the Lyft program only cost about be,” Thakkar said. “ASA won’t have ex-
funds do not exceed $27,500. get, Thakkar said ASA funded a $5,000 in October. cess money. We will probably end up
ASA began its fall semester with number of senator projects and Thakkar said the finance committee spending most of our money year to
about $16,100, a slim surplus of mon- approved several recurring al- also now presents funding requests by year moving forward. So we do not
ey from the former senate in com- locations, such as the IPO van advising senators to consider the mer- have that much leeway anymore to
parison to previous years. However, and NCORE. it of the event and the student organi- fund bigger projects.”
 4 FORUM Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 www.augiemirror.com

THRIFTING COMBATS FAST FASHION

Ana McCabe
she/her
ajmccabe19@ole.augie.edu
Trends are a constant flow of recycled
past styles combined with original, pres-
ent-day ideas.
Mom jeans, first appearing in the late
20th century, are once again a popular
pants choice. The 1960’s oversized graphic
tees are considered “in fits.” I cannot wait
until we bring back those cute mini bowl-
er hats of the 1940s. OK, maybe that one
is a little extreme. But I want to empha-
size that fashion is not a stagnant concept
of society.
While sites such as SHEIN are conve-
nient and affordable options, the detri-
mental effects their products have on the
environment last much longer than the
latest fashion trends. According to Earth.
org, “92 million tonnes of textiles waste is
produced every year… If this trend con-
tinues, the number of fast fashion waste is
expected to soar up to 134 million tonnes
a year by the end of the decade.”
Fast fashion sites compromise du-
rability for cheap material and quickly
made products.
Over the past 15 years, the number of
times someone wears a piece of clothing
has decreased by about 36%. Current-
ly, most clothing items are worn seven
to 10 times before their owners throw
them out.
Fortunately, students at Augustana are
hopping on the thrifting trend to help
combat fast fashion.
Augie Thrift is a new club working
to develop Augustana into a more sus-
tainable campus. Juniors Grace Lenning
and Libby Breckon, the club’s co-found-
ers, have high hopes for Augie Thrift’s
future impact.
“We are trying to combat the fast
fashion issue where trends end up in the
trash,” Lenning said.
Augie Thrift plans to sell donated
clothes and dorm items in the Tuve base-
ment. Imperfect materials, such as cloth-
ing with small tears or stains, will be sold
at a discounted price. Articles that are
not sold will be recycled or donated to
the Sioux Falls community. Buckets are
conveniently located in lobbies of dorm
buildings for students to donate items.
“With anything that can’t be sold
back to students, we want to teach peo-
ple how to repurpose it or upcycle it to
be more sustainable so that way it doesn’t
just go in the trash and not get used,” “A lot of people don’t know where to
Breckon said. start and they don’t know why,” Breck-
Lenning and Breckon said Augie on said. “For us, to have something that
Thrift’s grand opening will most likely is easily accessible and also provides
take place before the end of the fall semes- facts like that to students is important. It
ter. Augie Thrift will open makes a bigger impact than
once a month, and gradual- you probably think.”
ly increase to more frequent Thrifting gives recycled
hours, such as once a week and reused materials a new
to daily hours after classes. life. Whether it be an emp-
The profits the club ty container of ice cream
gains will go toward sup- or an old jar, Lenning and
plies, with hopes to do- Breckon said they believe
nate excess revenue to lo- this perspective should
cal organizations focused be implemented with all
on sustainability. items. Practicing sustain-
“The more things that ability can set an example
Ana McCabe
end up in landfills, the for others.
more methane it produc- McCabe is a senior “Stay encouraged that
es,” Lenning said. “This is journalism and your individual actions
one way our campus can environmental studies can make a difference,”
help prevent the amount double major. Lenning said. “It seems
of carbon emissions we like there needs to be big
are causing. It’s also a way for students changes that you as an individual can
to learn about sustainability and why it have an impact on. But there are a lot
is important.” of things that when you do this individ-
Lenning and Breckon said they hope ually or get one or two friends to do it
Augie Thrift will teach students that a with, you can get a bigger group to do
sustainable lifestyle is built by the small it, then a whole campus, then maybe a
choices one makes throughout each day. city initiative.”

Spreading information on the internet requires nuance

Kat Elgersma
she/her
keelgersma20@ole.augie.edu
As the internet has watched the Israeli
attacks on Gaza, many users have taken
to their social pages to express opinions,
grieve the loss of family members or rant
about the injustices occurring.
To some, the conflict between Hamas
and the Israeli government is very close
to home, and their emotions are not to be
minimized. What is terrifying is the num-
ber of people who have used this conflict
to express extremist viewpoints, vastly
misunderstanding the centuries worth of
political and social tensions that form the
context of the conflict.
The beauty of the internet is also its
horror—everyone has a platform.
There is a way to critique the Israe-
li government’s atrocities toward Pal-
estine without swerving face-first into
anti-Semitism. Likewise, there are ways
to acknowledge the historical mistreat-
ment of Jewish people and critique the
violent radicalism of Hamas without
demonizing Palestinians and parroting
Islamophobic rhetoric.
A nuanced situation should inspire nu-
anced attitudes, yet social feeds are over-
whelmingly on one extreme or another.
Much like Juan Ponce de León’s fabled
fountain of youth, “nuance” on the inter-
net is often sought after and rarely found.
Perhaps most sickeningly, that’s kind of
the point.
Social media algorithms are built to be
driven by engagement. And there is noth-
ing that increases engagement like the a fair and accurate view of the world. Ev- ership. Rampant sensationalization of
opportunity to argue. erything from the way an event is report- events and an emphasis on subjects like
The running joke is that the fastest way ed on to which subjects get time in the crime are strategies designed to keep peo-
to find the right answer on the internet is spotlight, and importantly which don’t, ple watching.
to post the wrong one and wait for peo- are impacted by the bias of the source. So perhaps we ask ourselves how to
ple to correct you. People are quick to Independent reporters can do their best make the internet a place where one can
respond to extreme viewpoints if only to find stories that are important and rel- access all sides of an issue.
to explain why they are wrong. The algo- evant for their audiences, but they will Social media algorithms have been
rithm doesn’t care if the content is correct inevitably gravitate toward the topics that shown time and time again to put users
or well-researched, only that are important to them. in an echo chamber of their own ideas
the engagement is high. Additionally, these inde- and interests.
Social media elevates pendent creators rarely have If people want a complete picture of
one-sided, emotionally an editorial team to fact an issue, they’re going to have to search
charged or otherwise un- check the information they it out for themselves. The reality is that
balanced content, which present. Professional jour- most people are simply not equipped with
is all the more concerning nalists’ work typically goes the media literacy it takes to do that, and
when one considers that through at least two rounds that’s not their fault.
many creators are essen- of edits, and mistakes still It’s one thing to ask people to go out
tially doing the work of slip through the cracks. It’s and do their own research to fully under-
independent journalists. hard to imagine how much stand a topic. It is another to require that
According to a 2020 ar- gets misreported without they do so in a way that overcomes their
ticle, Pew Research Center Kat Elgersma an editorial process to fact own algorithm’s bias.
found that, at least on You- Elgersma is a senior check and vet for accuracy. It’s hard to be an informed citizen in a
Tube, people are as likely to English and media When it comes to these digital era when every source of knowl-
trust independent sourc- studies double major. internet creators, it can be edge is to be questioned rather than taken
es as official news outlets. hard to tell the difference at face value, and users are almost guar-
Another Pew Research Center study, between well-researched, thoughtful re- anteed to be inundated with only one side
from 2022, reported that about half of sponses to current events and speculative of an issue.
U.S. adults get at least some, if not most, of commentary based on what they them- Greater media awareness and literacy
their news from social media sites. In oth- selves have come across on social apps. are only one part of the solution. Social
er words, social media platforms are not That is not to say that news media media sites are going to have to find ways
only major sources for current events but should be trusted blindly. A healthy de- for their algorithms to push more nu-
platforms on which independent creators gree of skepticism is necessary when ap- anced and well-balanced content if any
can report on the news, which they do proaching any piece of media. improvement is to be seen.
largely unchecked. Of course there are plenty of journal- Whether it be about the conflict be-
However, relying on independent ists doing their best to work with integri- tween Palestine and Israel or another ma-
sources for knowledge is not the utopic ty, but it gets harder and harder to prac- jor topic of discussion, there is more to
solution it seems to be. tice fair and accurate reporting as more the issue than just the extreme ends. Nu-
For one, a single person cannot provide pressure is put on them to increase view- ance is out there. The trouble is finding it.
www.augiemirror.com Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 FORUM 5

ANGLES
Should everyone have a platform?
Kat Elgersma
she/her
keelgersma20@ole.augie.edu
It’s hard to say what those who ratified the Bill of
Rights, and by extension the First Amendment, intended
freedom of speech to mean for future generations.
Nevertheless, the right to free speech has become a
pillar of American democracy and a precious value, es-
pecially in the field of journalism.
ANGLES
The judicial system over the years has done much to
define and expand on the language of the First Amend-
ment regarding free speech.
At one time, earning a platform required building
credibility through more traditional means: a political
career or experience as a reporter, for example.
However, social media and the internet have offered
a new avenue to practice freedom of speech. Everyone
with access to the internet has a platform on which to
post thoughts and ideas for the world to see.
On one hand, this changing landscape has allowed
many marginalized groups to be heard in ways they nev-
er have been.
On the other, it has also provided the means for mis-
information and hate speech to reach more ears than
ever before.
Questions of who deserves a platform and how that is
decided in the digital age will continue to spark discus-
sion. What freedom of speech means on the internet is
still being decided.

Intent of speech matters Speech must be universal

Jack Erickson has been in the past, which I am very Veda Tonneson speech, what would stop people from ban-
he/him thankful for. she/her ning speech about liberation and equality?
jrerickson21@ole.augie.edu Voices focused on productively ed- vjtonnesongallagher21@ole.augie.edu Of course, most people would agree
ucating the public and exposing social that racism, homophobia, sexism and sim-
I’m all about choosing kindness, but disparities are voices that need to be Finding out the First Amendment pro- ilar issues are purely terrible. For the sake
I know many people who believe kind- heard. But when the intention of the tects hate speech was a startling experience. of fairness, though, who are we to dictate
ness is something that requires a lot voice changes — towards harm, vio- While I know it is probably too optimis- what beliefs are right? It is foolish to be-
of energy. lence or personal hatred based in opin- tic of me, I would like to think our society lieve that every culture will share the same
Following the posting and remov- ion — then you cross the line from free is better than protecting discrimination, values. We would be no better than the
al of an extremist right-wing group’s speech to hate speech. prejudice and hatred towards people who most hated dictators if we were to limit
propaganda on Augie’s campus, I For example, when former Presi- are different from us. ideas and enforce beliefs.
contemplated, and discussed with dent Donald Trump lost to President I would have always said I disagreed with Without contrasting views, we can’t be
friends, the rela- Joe Biden in the the right to free speech as secure in our own
tionship between 2020 presidential because not every voice convictions. The goal is
hate speech and the race, Trump’s call- should be heard, espe- that the discussion of
First Amendment, to-action to his sup- cially those that want to differing beliefs will al-
which protects porters resulted in separate people and cre- low truth to rise to the
Americans’ rights to the raid of the Cap- ate animosity. However, top. Obviously, violent
free speech. itol on Jan. 6, 2021. as a journalism student, I calls to action must be
The biggest ques- Trump’s voice have come to see the idea stopped, and words in-
tion everyone asks was used to ensue of freedom of speech in a citing violence are not
is where do we draw chaos, not to pro- new light. constitutionally pro-
the line? When do ductively educate While I still firmly be- tected. However, you
ideologies become the public about the lieve we should not en- can’t censor speech just
harmful, and when democratic process. courage people to publi- because you don’t agree
are they just toeing He had an opportu- cize racist, homophobic, with it.
the line? How do nity to use his voice sexist or derogatory If we want a world that
we separate free- for good, but opted ideations, I don’t believe is free of negativity and
dom of speech from Jack Erickson censoring speech is the Veda Tonneson hate, banning speech
for a much more
hate speech? malicious approach. right answer. isn’t going to do much.
I believe most Erickson is a junior He used his right Censoring speech is Tonneson is a senior English We need to focus on
people deserve a biology major. to free speech to like slapping children on and journalism double major. educating people about
platform to speak spread hate. the hand for doing some- why hate never wins and
on topics that are personal to them, In order to tease out the malice or thing naughty. They will learn to hate the teaching people to embrace differences. By
their experiences or to their family good of a person’s intent, we must ask disciplinarian and find other ways to ex- teaching people how to love others, we will
and friends’ experiences. However, what they do if given a platform. Will press themselves. If we explain to children create a form of social change that censor-
there are select individuals or groups they use it to educate, or will they use why their actions were harmful or danger- ship will never accomplish.
who clearly do not deserve the same it to hurt and put others down? ous, they will understand that their actions Placing limits on what speech is ac-
height of a soapbox as others. Choosing kindness is easy, and by have consequences and in turn become ceptable ultimately chills valuable social
In order for our right to free speech using one’s voice to be malicious, the more conscious individuals. discussion. Once we start banning cer-
to stand the test of time, we must con- intention behind the First Amend- Free speech is crucial for social change. tain speech, it becomes a slippery slope of
sider that free speech still comes at a ment is squandered. For a more pro- At one point in history, segregation was what we can and can’t say, and people will
cost: public wellbeing. ductive society, choose kindness over socially acceptable, gay marriage was il- be afraid to speak out if they think their
There are many diverse voices in hate. Listen when people are trying to legal and women were constantly treated ideas aren’t popular. We as a society can’t
the world — from those of all rac- teach you. as objects. The idea of empowerment for risk chilling free discussion just to cen-
es, ethnicities, cultures, faiths, sexes, Although every voice matters, it’s these minority groups was in no way pop- sor hateful people who will find a way to
genders, sexualities, gender expres- how individuals or groups are using ular. The right to free expression helped keep hating.
sions, occupations, socioeconomic their voice that matters more so. It’s spread the idea of equality, and eventual- We need free speech to encourage peo-
statuses, economic classes and abil- about intent, not the voice itself. ly society improved. In these cases, ban- ple to speak up, call out those who are un-
ities. The public education of these ning unpopular speech would have limited just and communicate vigorously about
diverse perspectives is a much bigger social change. critical ideas.
part of media and everyday life than it If we were to start banning unpopular
 6 VARIETY Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 www.augiemirror.com

Photo by Ryleigh Tupper Photo by Ryleigh Tupper

Marianne Williamson discusses her candidacy via video chat at an Augie Dems event. Students listen to Marianne Williamson talk.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TALKS WITH CLUB

Madisyn Stogsdill
she/her
mtstogsdill23@ole.augie.edu
As the wide screens of a Froiland Science Complex
room flickered to life, a crowd of restless students shifted
in their seats, their movement and anticipation echoing
throughout the quiet space.
The hosts, members and officers of Augie Dems,
rushed to greet their guest speaker on the screen. After
a few moments, the face of Marianne Williamson ap-
peared, and the participants were in the presence of a
presidential candidate.
Williamson, a Democratic candidate for the 2024
presidential election, included Augustana in her list of
colleges she has spoken at this year in the hopes of in-
forming voters of the importance of participating in pol-
itics and to encourage her personal platform.
Traveling to institutions like Harvard University and
the University of New Hampshire, Williamson has made
appearances both virtually and in person at schools
around the nation, giving speeches and explaining her
personal stance on laws and current global conflicts.
“[Williamson] has worked throughout her career on
poverty, hunger and racial reconciliation issues,” soph-
omore Eli Schipper, president of Augie Dems, said. “She
supports the creation of a U.S Department of Peace and
has assisted in conferences that educated and encour-
aged engagement in political activity.”
Schipper told the room the pillars of Williamson’s
campaign, which include the “restoration of American
civil rights,” like universal healthcare and tuition-free
college, the establishment of a Department of Peace and
the declaration of a climate emergency.
“Williamson believes the transformation of American
society requires that we address the root cause of prob-
lems,” Schipper said.
After being introduced to the audience, Williamson
took the stage in the form of a Microsoft Teams meeting
and began to explain her candidacy. She also discussed
what she wanted to enact if voted into office, beginning
with a direct message to new generations and pushing
certain policies.
The presidential candidate also expressed frustrations
over the number of issues in the world that seemingly
nobody has done anything to address the root causes of.
Williamson said she plans to fix this lack of recognition
if elected to office.
“You can’t really talk about any of the mental health
problems today without talking about the profound eco-
nomic anxiety that infuses the lives of the majority of
Americans,” Williamson said. “You can’t talk about vi-
olence in America if it would have taught me about the
effects of poverty on people’s lives. You can’t talk about
health in America in a meaningful way without talking
about our solutions.”
Just like Williamson encouraged communication be-
tween Americans, much discussion went into securing
her as a speaker. By reaching out to Williamson, Schip-
per said Augie Dems was able to secure an opportunity
to educate those of voting age and not in the favor of any
specific political party.
“[Sharing] information, even without endorsing her,
that doesn’t mean that we can’t give her a platform for
students to make their own decisions. So the big thing
was educating students, both Republican and Demo-
crat,” Schipper said.
With a turnout of students in varying class years with
different interests, the event mimicked a target audience
of the average American.
“I thought the event went well,” freshman Ridge Fish-
er said. “[Williamson] did a good job answering every-
one’s questions and making sure her position on relevant
issues was stated.”
Looking ahead to the 2024 presidential election, Fish-
er said a new democratic nominee might need to be cho-
sen based on “age, policies and considering how for most
people, their economic situation has worsened.”

Friends of the Big Sioux River group hosts

Photo by Xavier Carbonneau
Troy Larson and Jay Gilbertson
answer questions at the Future
of Water in South Dakota event.
future of water in South Dakota event
Xavier Carbonneau
he/him
xecarbonneau21@ole.augie.edu
A lack of rain over the past year seems
like it should be bad news to the Friends
of the Big Sioux River, the organizer
of the recent Future of Water in South
Dakota event.
Surprisingly, drought has been a cause
for celebration for the group, even as
South Dakota faces looming concerns
about running out of water, because it
leads to better water quality for the Big
Sioux River.
The Future of Water in South Dako-
ta event brought together politicians,
pastors, professors, engineers, farmers,
business owners and more to Augusta-
na’s Hamre Recital Hall on the night of
Nov. 9. A handful of Augustana students
joined in as well, though most shuffled off
before the second speaker, having written
enough to receive extra credit for their
biology class.
After a reception in the atrium featur-
ing tables with a variety of water-related
organizations handing out pamphlets and
explaining their missions, the throngs of
people finally sat down in the Hamre, well
past the planned seven o’clock start time.
A bearded and bespectacled Travis En-
tenman, managing director of the Friends
of the Big Sioux River, took the stage
and played a short video highlighting
the group’s conservation efforts, ranging
from trash pickups to brewing beer with
water from the Big Sioux.
It wasn’t long before Entenman passed
the mic to Board Treasurer Rachel Kloos
and outreach and Donor Coordinator
Emily Oyos to present the 2023 Big Sioux
River water quality testing data.
The three factors tested by the Friends
of The Big Sioux River were total sus-
pended solids, E. Coli and nitrates. Kloos
said both TSS and E. Coli levels decreased
significantly from the previous year but
were still at unacceptable levels across
many parts of the river.
Kloos said she was optimistic about
these results.
“I like to celebrate,” Kloos said. “This
is a win.”
Kloos tempered this optimism by
See WATER, page 8
www.augiemirror.com
Clubs speak against menstrual product tax
Tessa Frederick
she/her
tnfrederick22@ole.augie.edu
Veda Tonneson
she/her
vjtonnesongallagher21@ole.augie.edu
Products like pads and tampons are
subjected to taxation throughout the
United States, just like other “luxury”
products. To help bring awareness to the
issue, iGNiTE and HAPPY. partnered to
host “Tampons and Tax Breaks” in the
Morrison Commons on Nov. 4.
Junior Avery Gilman, president of iG-
NiTE, said the organization Period Law
reached out to her and junior Norah
Grace DeBoer, co-president of HAP-
PY., to promote its nationwide Tampon
Tax Refund Activation. Period Law en-
couaged people to file for a symbolic sales
tax refund as a way to protest the tax on
menstrual products.
“Pink tax” is the term commonly used
to refer to the luxury tax imposed on
products like pads and tampons. How-
ever, it also emphasizes that many prod-
ucts marketed towards women are priced
higher. For example, pink razors can be
far more expensive than men’s razors due
to the feminization of the product.
Not only does this difference in prices
perpetuate gender stereotypes, but it also
financially impacts people who need to
buy these products, DeBoer said.
In an effort to raise awareness on
campus, Gilman and DeBoer decid-
ed to collaborate and host an event to
educate students.
‘Iron Flame’ disappoints, confuses readers
Alayna Jones
she/her
ajones20@ole.augie.edu
After soaring to the New York Times
bestseller list for six months—and holding
the No. 1 spot for three months—“Fourth
Wing” by Rebecca Yarros took the book
world by storm with its dragons, romance
and intense storyline.
Just seven months later, its sequel “Iron
Flame” was released. With much expecta-
tion and excitement leading up to its re-
lease, the book’s intensity turned lacklus-
ter in plot, confusing and often backwards
in character development and could have
been cut by nearly 100 pages.
Following the events from “Fourth
Wing,” Violet Sorrengail is thrown into
the revolution led by Xaden Riorson, but
to contribute, she must return to Basgiath
War College and complete her second
year. She must face the new vice comman-
dant, Major Varrish, who’s just another
character who deems Violet as weak and
targets her during his violent outbreaks.
As the threats become more promi-
nent, Violet and her squadmates team up
with enemies to save Navarre. In trying
to regain trust in her romantic life with
Friday, Nov. 17, 2023
Sophie Johnson, Avery Gilman, Eden Weber and Norah Grace DeBo-
er hold menstrual supplies at the Tampons and Tax Breaks event.
“Hopefully, [the event] not only
brought some awareness about the tax to
our campus, but the symbolic tax refund
requests we sent out will hopefully allow
for some executive attention on the peri-
od product tax as well,” Gilman said.
The clubs collected donations of men-
strual products from Augustana commu-
nity members. They also asked donors
to bring receipts for the products, so the
clubs could fill out symbolic tax refund
requests as a form of protest.
Gilman said the Augustana clubs will
not receive money back but plan to fill out
a refund application to emphasize the in-
justice of taxing these products.
“Menstrual products are necessary for
a large majority of the population, and it
seems quite ludicrous to have to pay a tax
when so many people need these prod-
Xaden, Violet must fight for her survival
through violent war education and keep
secrets from those who she trusts.
With the expectation of what “Iron
Flame” would bring, fans created theories
and fan art, anxiously waiting for No-
vember to arrive. However, Yarros should
have waited and taken more time while
writing the sequel in order to create the
same intensity and momentum as the first
book in the series.
Instead, her literary twists seem out of
place in the name of being groundbreak-
ing. Even some developmental choices
seem as if Yarros watched the theories
circulating on TikTok and YouTube and
decided she would choose her favorite
one and implement it into the story.
Even though Yarros purposely writes
unneeded plot twists, the storyline stays
at a standstill for half the novel. The book
is filled with political discussions and ar-
guments of what to do next until, finally,
Violet takes action.
Along with the pacing, the descrip-
tions are clunky, and the first few chap-
ters consist solely of information dumps
and character introductions. With Violet
returning to Basgiath, Yarros introduces
a ridiculous amount of new names and
Photo by Tessa Frederick
ucts,” DeBoer said.
The event also featured a period cramp
simulator for people to use and better un-
derstand how periods can feel. The sim-
ulator was set up in the Morrison Com-
mons with tables of merchandise and
educational pamphlets.
“Almost everyone I’ve talked to who
tried the period simulator said it was
quite illuminating and brought to light
the struggles that people with periods of-
ten go through,” DeBoer said.
Since Gilman and DeBoer needed
menstrual products with receipts to fill
out the tax refund requests, they decided
to donate all of the products to St. Francis
House, a transitional home for homeless
people. Gilman said she hoped the dona-
tions would help provide security to those
in need of menstrual products, easing
barely mentions them again until they are
brought back to die.
Yarros’ writing was similarly bother-
some in “Fourth Wing,” but the captivat-
ing story allowed readers to overlook it.
However, in “Iron Flame,” Yarros should
have taken the time to fix and revise
these issues.
Despite the issues with plot, the drag-
ons are better than ever, especially Violet’s
dragons, Tairn and Andarna. Now con-
sidered an adolescent, Andarna raises the
scale of sarcasm and banter with Violet
and Tairn. The dragon’s protectiveness of
Violet never ceases, going to much great-
er lengths than the first book. The new-
ly introduced dragons do not disappoint
either, displaying entertaining violence
for readers.
While the dragons elevate the storytell-
ing, the human characters fall short. With
the introduction of absurd amounts of
characters, readers are unable to connect
to the new cadets. Additionally, readers
feel disconnected from the characters
they know and love. Most dialogue be-
tween Xaden and Violet is in the form of
repetitive arguments about the same be-
trayals and trust issues.
While “Fourth Wing” deserves all of
VARIETY 7
some financial worry.
According to an article by Journal of
Global Health Reports, 500 million peo-
ple lack access to menstrual products,
and many low-income individuals must
choose between buying menstrual prod-
ucts or food.
Junior Eden Weber, the vice president
of iGNiTE, said the donation drive was
a success, and the Augustana communi-
ty filled up two boxes worth of various
menstrual products.
“iGNiTE and HAPPY. will be sending
letters to legislators on behalf of the peo-
ple who donated to the drive, highlight-
ing the unfairness of the tax on such a
necessary product,” Weber said.
Currently, South Dakota is one of 21
states that still imposes taxes on menstru-
al products. While a 4% tax rate might
seem small, it can add up quickly. An arti-
cle from the National Library of Medicine
states that people with a menstrual cycle
will use over 10,000 menstrual products
in their lifetime.
Weber said she hopes one day men-
strual products will be free to everyone
who needs them because no one should
have to pay for what is essential. However,
the event offered the first of many steps
that need to be taken to improve access to
menstrual products, she said.
“Bringing awareness to menstrual is-
sues is super important because high-
lighting something small, like the tax on
period products, can open doors to mak-
ing products more available to everybody
who needs them,” Weber said.
Photo courtesy of rebeccayarros.com
its praise, “Iron Flame” is a sad letdown.
For the next three books in the five-book
series, Yarros should take her time in
finding her writing style and flow again
through storytelling.
 8 VARIETY Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 www.augiemirror.com

WATER Continued from page 6

reminding attendees that in
2022, South Dakota had an av-
erage of 17.47 inches of rain.
This year, there were only 9.03
inches. She said decreased rain-
fall limiting runoff was likely a
large contributor to improved
water quality.
“We are really hoping [TSS
and E. Coli levels] continue to go
down,” Kloos said. “2023 reports
will be really important to seeing
how we are doing as a whole.”
According to Kloos, nitrates
have never been a problem for
the Big Sioux River, but levels
have been gradually increasing.
from the Missouri River through
the Lewis and Clark pipeline. Al-
most as much comes from wells
across South Dakota.
In the past, the Big Sioux Riv-
er was a major source of water
for South Dakota but usage fell
after the Lewis and Clark pipe-
line was authorized by Congress
in 2001. As demand for water
has increased in recent years,
though, South Dakota has re-
turned to taking water from the
Big Sioux River.
Gilbertson presented a variety
of ways South Dakota could ex-
pand its water supply. He urged
Clark pipeline transports 47.7
million gallons a day, far be-
low its maximum capabilities.
Larson hopes the state of South
Dakota will grant a request for
17.07 million gallons a day more
in ground water rights within
the next year, bringing the pipe-
line to its maximum capacity of
60 million gallons a day.
Even with this increase, it will
only be 15 to 40 years before
demand again outpaces supply,
Larson said. One solution to this
problem is Dakota Mainstem,
which would connect three re-
gional water systems to create Photo by Xavier Carbonneau

Oyos reminded people to clean
up animal waste and encour-
aged the creation of more ripar-
ian buffers that prevent fertilizer
runoff and keep nitrates out of
the river.
The keynote speakers of the
night, Jay Gilbertson, manager
of the East Dakota Water De-
velopment District, and Troy
Larson, executive director of the
Lewis and Clark Regional Water
System, broadened the night’s
focus from the future of the Big
Sioux River to the future of all of
South Dakota’s water.
Gilbertson began by explain-
ing the sources of South Dakota’s
water. He said most water is sent
listeners to protect what they
have and encouraged more re-
search into current water sourc-
es. Gilbertson also pointed to the
importance of directed develop-
ment, building businesses and
cities near water.
Gilbertson commended ef-
forts to reduce, reuse and recy-
cle water but elucidated that the
only solution “rooted in reality”
is long distance transportation
of water.
Larson said he agreed with
Gilbertson, advocating to ex-
pand the usage of the Lewis and
Clark pipeline and add a second
pipeline in the near future.
Currently, the Lewis and
connected pipelines across the Troy Larson presents on Dakota Mainstem in his
state. North Dakota already has speech at the Future of Water in South Dakota event.
a similar system that Dakota
In the Q&A following their The Augustana students
Mainstem emulates.
presentations, Gilbertson and who attended said they enjoyed
“North Dakota is years ahead
Larson said South Dakota can- the event.
of us in water, and we hate when
not solve its water crisis on its “It was interesting to see
they’re ahead of us in anything,”
own. The only realistic path how we’ve impacted the en-
Larson said.
forward for South Dakota, they vironment and not always
While copying North Da-
said, is staking claim to water for good,” senior Debanhi
kota’s system to bring water all
from the Missouri River. Adame-Hernandez said.
through South Dakota would be
“We cannot conserve our way Leaving the event,
ideal, Larson said he thinks this
out of here,” Larson said. “That Adame-Hernandez said she felt
solution will be difficult to get
will buy us time, but it will not torn between hope and hope-
approval for. Creating a second
solve the problem.” lessness. Yet, Gilbertson’s words
pipeline running parallel to the
When asked about what stuck with her.
Lewis and Clark pipeline would
needs to be done to clean up the “I want to do what I can,”
be easier and quicker, though ei-
Big Sioux River, Gilbertson re- Adame-Hernandez said. “The
ther option requires hundreds of
sponded, “All the people would only way it can get better is if
millions of dollars of funding.
have to leave.” we leave.”

Out to eat in Sioux Falls: Culver’s not worth hype

Kat Elgersma
she/her
keelgersma20@ole.augie.edu
Having grown up in Denver, nothing could prepare
me for the fanatic hold the fast-casual chain Culver’s has
over the Midwest.
I remember trying the chicken tenders and fries in my
early teens while visiting my mom’s family in Minnesota
and being underwhelmed, to say the least. Therefore, I
marveled at how the chain restaurant could be something
of a holy grail for my Midwestern friends. I chalked it up
to nostalgia. For them, Culver’s represents a childhood
staple. For me, it doesn’t carry quite so much luster.
With this reasoning in mind, I chose to give Culver’s
its fair chance. In an informal poll of the Midwesterners
around me, I developed a list of menu items I ought to
try, grabbed a couple of friends and hopped in line to
order them. Perhaps my overall dislike of the food was
simply because I didn’t know what to order, hence the
consultation with the experts.
I approach the white and blue building with the
fresh perspective of someone who’s trying her best
not to let any previous poor opinion of the place af-
fect her judgment — and doing quite well. I feel like a
whole new person.
I order in a manner that makes no logical sense: sides
first, then the entree and finally dessert. Hats off to the
poor woman who took our order.
I get a ButterBurger, single, with cheese and nothing
else because I’m boring like that. It costs about as much
as I’m willing to pay for the lightly charred patty and flat
bun: $4.09.
The long-dreaded chicken tenders met expecta-
tions. While edible, they taste no better than what I
Photo by Abbey Stegenga
Senior Kat Elgersma dines at Culver’s after
purchasing raspberry frozen custard.
could get from the freezer section at the grocery store.
I will not be ordering them again, especially consider-
ing that at $6.79 for a four piece, they cost more than
my mediocre burger.
When it comes to sides, it’s Culver’s time to shine.
The crinkle cut fries are middle-of-the-road, but they do
the trick. In other words, they are vehicles for shovel-
ing ketchup into my mouth. The onion rings impress me
more with a taste reminiscent of fried treats at the state
fair. At $3.69, they’re also less expensive.
Just one side left to try: the cheese curds, the item
nearly everyone I asked told me I had to get a taste of. I’ll
admit that of the Midwestern staple foods, cheese curds
are the one I feel is most deserving of that title. There’s
something incredible in the simplicity of frying bite-
sized bits of cheese.
Culver’s curds did not disappoint. While the bread-
ing was a bit dry, it was counteracted by the gooey
cheese. Worth every penny of the $4.39 I paid for them,
they’re the one item on my list that I can see myself
going back just to get. Sorry in advance to my poor,
lactose-intolerant gut.
Culver’s is known for their frozen custard, so dessert,
of course, consists of a creamy frozen treat. On recom-
mendation, I go for the “Scoop of the Day.” Today’s is
Lemon Crumble, and it tastes like a lemon bar in ice
cream form. Sweet, citrusy cream mixed with crunchy
bits of what might be pie crust make for a delightful
combination. I eat it intermittently with the rest of my
meal because I can’t resist.
My friends get shakes — one chocolate, one vanilla.
Both are smooth and creamy and easy enough to drink
through a straw. I can see why many of my friends treat
Culver’s as a dessert restaurant. The frozen custard really
is the highlight of the menu.
Compared to other fast-casual chains, the dessert
is reasonably well-priced, with most items between
$2 and $5.
However, the interior of the restaurant is much too
cold to enjoy such frozen treats, and I have to take my ice
cream outside. I like the privacy of the booths, and the
dining room is clean and well tended. The lights aren’t
so bright that they’re overwhelming, and service staff is
attentive but not intrusive. So long as you have a sweat-
shirt on you, Culver’s offers a pleasant dining experience.
I can’t say that I’ll be a Culver’s disciple anytime soon,
but I gave it a fair shot. Even though my stomach didn’t
exactly thank me, it wasn’t the harrowing dining experi-
ence I expected it to be.
 Fall 2023 Issue 3

www.augiemirror.com Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 NEWS 9

Crossword
ACROSS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
by Margie E. Burke
10 11 12 13
TUITION Continued from page 1

1 Beer ingredient we’re still in the bottom third overall recently was implemented after a $13.8
14 15 16
5 Bushy boundary with costs, and we’re still in the top third million gift from Dean and Rosemarie
10 Oscar Madison, 17 18 19
when it comes to overall scholarships,” Buntrock. Private scholarships, include
famously
14 Winglike
20 21 22 Nelson said. those like the South Dakota Freedom
15 Put forth effort 23 24 25 According to a chart provided by Nel- Scholarship, which allocated Augustana
16 Corn cake son, the cost of attendance at Morning- $380,000 for the 2024-2025 school year.
26 27 28 29 30 31
17 Intro to physics? side University is currently $49,394 and Impact scholarships also are catego-
18 Make an ______ 32 33 34 35 36 37
Dordt’s cost is $47,390. rized as funded scholarships. According
(stop by)
20 Heavy guns 38 39 40 41 Heinitz said merit-based scholar- to Evenson, Augustana has established
22 Finishes the 42 43 44 45 ships, like the presidential and Augustana more than 600 endowed scholarships
lawn scholarships, will be increased by $1,000 and raised more than $740,000 in schol-
46 47 48 49
23 Shorthand taker to offset the tuition increase. However, arship money for prospective and
24 Used car
transaction
50 51 52 53 54 55
the scholarship increase will only apply to current students.
26 Some are blind 56 57 58 59 60 future first-time undergraduate students However, for some students, like ju-
28 ____ tunnel 61 62 63 starting fall 2024. nior Mia Fank, a communications major,
syndrome “Prospective students are offered a those scholarships may not be enough.
32 Wise person 64 65 66

35 Cut in half
comprehensive financial aid package after “I don’t qualify for loans, and I pay
37 Aviation hero
67 68 69
they have been offered admission to Au- completely out of pocket,” Fank said. “I
38 Critters in shells Copyright 2023 by The Puzzle Syndicate gustana and, in most cases, filed the FAF- don’t ask my parents, so needless to say, I
40 Looking closely SA,” Tresse Evenson, assistant vice presi- am not thoroughly excited about the fact
42 Notable period 67 Twiggy digs 10 "The Blacklist" 41 Class starter,
dent of financial aid, said. “The amounts that I have to pay even more and now that
43 Pupil protector 68 Post-sneeze star often
45 Till stack word 11 Yearn 44 Tart quencher offered are locked in their first year.” my scholarships aren’t paying for all of
46 Get by 69 Give the eye 12 ___ bitten, 47 Surrounded by Heinitz said scholarships like the pres- it either.”
48 Model of twice shy 49 Jungle swinger idential and Augustana scholarships are Fank works three jobs and has an in-
perfection DOWN 13 Honey bunch? 51 Declare void unfunded, meaning they are essentially ternship, so she works 40-70 hours per
50 Title for 1 Half a '60s 19 Tell 53 Eagle's nest
Flaubert's quartet 21 Cut off, as 54 "Sweet Dreams" discounts the university provides. week on top of her school work. Accord-
Bovary 2 On one's toes branches singer Funded scholarships are generally ing to Fank, her studies fall behind due to
52 Finish second 3 Caffè ___ 25 Give in 55 One sought for provided from an outside source, like her work load.
56 Round trip? 4 Lionel product 27 Minded advice a donor. Other students, like sophomore Will
59 Axon's spot 5 Make good as 29 Liniment target 56 Neighbor of
61 Bouvier, to new 30 Teen's torment Saudi Arabia
“The university works to increase Boyles, a biology and business student,
Jackie Kennedy 6 Mastery 31 Table foursome 57 Speedway funded scholarships, and that can were unsurprised by the tuition increase
63 "Raid" anagram 7 Make sad 32 Pipe part event have an impact on both incoming and and believe the money will be put to
64 Book before 8 ABC series, 33 Special glow 58 Morsels then current students a little bit more,” good use.
Romans "____ Anatomy" 34 ___ Torino (old 60 November
Heinitz said. “I’m not a fan of it, but if that’s what
65 Tax man's task 9 In-flight info, for Ford model) honorees
66 "Come here short 36 Outer layer 62 Apprehend Funded scholarships include those like needs to happen, then it’s what needs to
often?," e.g. 39 Papal diplomat the Buntrock Scholars Program, which happen,” Boyles said.

SAFETY Continued from page 1

around campus. these forms of violence being one of

“[The Sioux Falls Police Depart-
ment] is saying that as the city grows,
the transient population also ebbs and
flows. They’ve seen [homeless popula-
tions] shifting more to the southwest
part of Sioux Falls,” Tupper said.
President Stephanie Herseth San-
dlin said there has perhaps also been
an increase in community watchful-
ness and reporting.
“There are times when behavior
raises questions about why [subjects]
are on campus,” Herseth Sandlin said.
“We’ve had incidents in the past. I
think there has been an increase in the
the most chronically underreport-
ed. Many women fear going to the
police and not being believed or vic-
tim-blamed,” Ciaralli said.
After getting back from a run, an-
other senior female-identifying stu-
dent and her sister reported a man
who they had seen while running.
At the intersection of 28th Street
and Grange Avenue, a man on a bi-
cycle, staring at them, rode past, say-
ing, “I’m not going to hurt you. Don’t
be scared.”
She and her sister turned and ran
home, calling Campus Safety as soon Photo by Abbey Stegenga

reporting of them. We want to do that
in a way that is neighborly. We don’t
want to be accusatory but rather to en-
gage, to understand, to ask questions.”
Historically, women are often con-
flicted about reporting incidences
of harassment, stalking or violence.
Spencier Ciaralli, professor of so-
ciology and the coordinator of the
gender, sexuality and women’s stud-
ies minor, said sociological research
shows trends of harmful behavior on
college campuses.
“Research shows that the rate of ex-
periences of sexual assault, stalking,
physical assault and other forms of
abuse among women in college is
alarmingly high — and this is despite
as they got there. After telling the offi- A Campus Safety vehicle sits parked outside the Commons.
cer on the other line how the incident
driving, they called Campus Safe- incidents took place, “is tricky” safe-
played out, the senior student said the
ty, who directed them to drive onto ty-wise, Tupper said. Although it is a
officer responded with “What do you
Commons Drive so they could get his private library to Augustana, it still al-
want me to do about it?”
vehicle information. lows members of the general public in.
“I told [the officer,] ‘I know there is
The senior said her experiences are Tupper and Herseth Sandlin said if
nothing you can do. I just wanted to
not uncommon. She said she and her something seems suspicious or makes
report it,’” the senior student said.
neighbors are afraid to walk around someone uncomfortable, report it. It’s
Although the senior student said
the campus neighborhood because likely making someone else uncom-
she knew she did the right thing, the
of the suspicious people and activity fortable as well.
officer made her question if what she
they’ve witnessed. “You don’t want to feel badly that
and her sister experienced was as big a
Keeping campus safe, Tupper said, you’re making a wrong assumption.
deal as they thought.
requires more than just Campus Safe- It’s just each of us has a responsibility
On a separate occasion, while
ty — those living in the Augustana for the broader environment of safety
driving with her sister past Norton
community must also be vigilant in on our campus,” Herseth Sandlin said.
Avenue, a man in a black truck was
order to prevent further attacks.
clearly staring at them and began to
The Mikkelsen Library, where two
follow them around campus. While
 10 SPORTS
VIKINGS SECURE NSIC CHAMPIONSHIP
Cody Klungseth
he/him
cdklungseth21@ole.augie.edu
The Augustana Vikings defeated the
Bemidji State Beavers on Nov. 11 by 38-19
to win the Northern Sun Intercollegiate
Conference Championship and end the
regular season with a record of 10-1.
The conference championship was
the Vikings’ first since they shared
the title in 2021 with Bemidji and
Minnesota Duluth.
“It has been such a special year, and
I don’t want it to end,” head coach Jerry
Olszewski said. “I want to see this team
play as many games as they possibly can,
and they’ve earned that.”
The Vikings scored on the opening
possession of the game with a 10-yard
rushing touchdown from graduate stu-
dent quarterback Casey Bauman. Augus-
tana’s defense did its part in the first half
as well, forcing two turnover-on-downs
when the Beavers had pushed the ball
into Vikings territory.
Neither offense was able to get on the
board after the first possession of the
half, and the Vikings led by a score of 7-0
at halftime.
The Beavers came out of halftime fir-
ing with a 75-yard pass touchdown on the
first play of the second half but missed
Friday. Nov. 17, 2023 www.augiemirror.com
the ensuing extra point kick. The Vikings
quickly matched the score on a 49-yard
touchdown pass from Bauman to senior
wide receiver Devon Jones to make the
score 14-6.
“I couldn’t do it without everybody
around me,” Bauman said. “I think the
quarterback gets more credit than they
deserve. Those guys make my job really
easy. I have to do my job and everybody
out there does their job.”
Bauman finished off the day with 106
passing yards and two touchdowns, along
Photo by Jurgens Photography/GoAugie
with another 53 yards and a touchdown
on the ground.
Later in the third quarter, the Vikings
added on a 52-yard field goal by redshirt Photo by Jurgens Photography/GoAugie
freshman Jake Pecina and a 20-yard pass-
ing touchdown from Bauman to senior Senior JayVian Farr avoids a tackle from Bemidji State, completing
running back Jarod Epperson. Bemidji a 61-yard interception for Augustana’s last touchdown of the game.
State scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass
a fumbled snap to take the ball away from Farr and closed out the game, and the
as well, and Augustana led 24-12 heading
Bemidji State. The Beavers later scored on conference championship, 38-19.
into the fourth quarter.
a 5-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead “If you asked any one of those guys
“We never fret. We never are afraid or
to five points, but Epperson broke off a on the sideline, nobody for one second
nervous when it comes to games,” Pecina
54-yard touchdown run to extend the Vi- thought that we were going to lose that
said. “We trust in each other, and we trust
kings’ lead to 31-19. game,” Bauman said. “We all work to-
in each side of the ball.”
“[Bemidji is] always a tough one,” Ep- gether and we just battle through stuff
Both the Vikings offense and defense
person said. “They’re a big physical team. like that.”
came up big in the fourth quarter to close
You always have to bring your A-game The Vikings will play host to Minneso-
out the game.
when you play those guys.” ta State University-Mankato on Nov. 18
Early in the fourth quarter with the
The Vikings sealed the win on a 61- at the Kirkeby-Over Stadium for a first-
Beavers just two yards away from the
yard interception return touchdown by round playoff game.
endzone, senior JayVian Farr pounced on
www.augiemirror.com
SENIORS Continued from page 12
“The other guys on the team, parents, coaches — they
have all been pushing me to be great.”
What are your plans
after graduation?
“I’m hoping to keep playing football, whatever oppor-
tunity comes my way, but if football doesn’t work out, an
athletic training job somewhere.”
Lauren Tims
Golf
What is your favorite memory with your team?
“The feeling of making it to nationals for the first time
last year.”
What advice would you give to your underclass-
man teammates?
“Enjoy it. It goes so fast. I feel like I was just a fresh-
man yesterday, and I’m so sad to be done, but at the end
of the day, you don’t remember the score. You just re-
member your teammates and the relationships you had.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I’m going to stay [at Augustana] and finish out my
MBA, and then I am going to help out with the team a
little bit [as a graduate assistant], so I’ll still be able to be
around.
Hannah Prasky
Volleyball
What is your favorite memory with your team?
“The last ten minutes before we go play a game, we
shut off the lights in the locker room and we bring out a
disco ball. It’s the loudest, most fun time. Even if some-
Cross country competes in regionals
Jackson Dircks
he/him
jwdircks21@ole.augie.edu
The men’s and women’s cross country teams raced at
the NCAA Central Region Championships in Joplin,
Missouri, on Nov. 4, with the women’s team placing sec-
ond to Winona State University and senior Ryan Hart-
man earning second overall in the men’s 10K.
Winona State outscored the Augustana women
52-95. Junior Ella Bakken said the team expected the
successful outcome.
“Our team’s goal was to make it to the national cham-
pionship,” Bakken said. “We were going for the win, but
Winona State is just really good right now.”
Winona State’s women’s team is the fifth ranked
team in the nation, according to the Women’s Cross
Country National Coaches’ Poll. Augustana’s women’s
team is ranked 13th in the nation following the Central
Regionals race.
The second place finish was due largely to Bak-
ken’s 10th place finish in the race, clocking in a time
of 21:06.23. She was followed closely by junior Aubrey
Surage, who finished 12th with a time of 21:11.72. All of
the Vikings’ women runners finished in the top 50 at re-
gionals, good enough for an automatic bid to the NCAA
Championship on Nov. 18.
The team ran successfully having six of the seven
women competing in their first championship meet. “We
are still really young,” Tracy Hellman, director of cross
country and track and field, said. “Give our women a lit-
tle more experience and we will be tough to beat.”
On the men’s side, four out of the seven eligible run-
ners were dealing with injuries at the time of the race.
With 197 points, the team placed seventh as a collective
group out of 29 teams.
“We just kind of had to personalize some training
Friday, Nov. 17, 2023
one is stressed out, once the lights go out, they’re danc-
ing. It’s awesome.”
Who has been your biggest
motivator in volleyball?
“My parents have driven four hours for every game,
and they are always so supportive. Even before I got here,
they have always been there for me and helped me get to
where I am today.”
What are your plans
after graduation?
“I’m going to move back to Minnesota, and I’m hop-
ing to get a job in a neonatal intensive care unit in Min-
neapolis.”
Colten Brand (fifth year)
Cross Country
What is your favorite memory with your team?
“Last year we stayed on campus for Thanksgiving
because our nationals were two weeks later [in Seattle].
Having Thanksgiving with my teammates was a really
fun experience. I got to make the turkey and everything.”
What hopes do you have for the future of
your team?
“Continuing our tradition of excellence, both aca-
demically and athletically, and just being a good team
on campus.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I plan to go to physical therapy school somewhere.”
Photo by Christopher Mitchell/GoAugie
Junior Ella Bakken continues her run at the
Central Regionals in Missouri on Nov. 4.
plans a little bit and do a lot more cross training, like
elliptical workouts and stuff like that as opposed to
running, which transitions pretty well to running fit-
ness,” senior Nick Larson said. “But you’re not going to
be able to replicate the steps you can do workout-wise
[when] running.”
Larson said at the beginning of the season, the men’s
team set out to do better than the previous year’s third-
place finish at Central Regionals. Injuries hurt the team
this fall, leading to the men’s team missing out on the
national meet for the first time since 2008.
“[Not advancing to NCAA’s] is a punch to the face
SPORTS 11
SCORE
BOARD
Scores of the this month’s games
MEN’S BASKETBALL
11/10
LOSS vs Missouri Western ... 76 - 72
11/11
WIN vs SE Oklahoma State ... 95-81
HOCKEY
11/10 & 11/11
WIN vs Lindenwood ... 4 - 3
LOSS vs Lindenwood ... 5 - 3
to not make it, but I think it will serve as good motiva-
tion and good fuel to the fire for the next year to come,”
Larson said.
In spite of the setback, Hartman was able to secure a
second-place finish and advance to the NCAA Cham-
pionship as an individual automatic bid. He crossed the
finish line with a time of 29:51.42.
The men’s team all placed in the top 100 of the event.
Hartman and the men’s team went into the race hopeful,
regardless of the injuries.
“We kind of believed that we were gonna do what
we needed to do,” Hartman said. “But then we went out
there and realized those injuries were a pretty big setback
for sure.”
While the regionals were disappointing for the men,
they still intended to rally around Hartman and the
Vikings women.
“We don’t just let our leaders support themselves,”
Larson said. “We are gonna support [Hartman] as best
we can. All I know is we are all gonna turn out to the
national meet to watch him and support him, as well as
the women’s team because they are pretty poised for a
big day.”
The women’s team and Hartman now look forward to
the National Championships on Nov. 18. They will re-
turn to the same course as Central Regionals in Joplin
and hope to find success.
Hartman said his individual goal is to finish in the top
seven. Bakken said she hopes to podium and earn a top-
four finish as a team.
“Our women need to focus on being the best that
they can be...nothing more nothing less. I’m excited to
see what they can do,” Hellman said. “They have gotten
better each meet. Ryan Hartman is in the best fitness and
mental frame at any time in his career. He has worked
hard and done everything he can to put himself in a pos-
itive position for NCAAs. The sky’s the limit.”
12 SPORTS
(Top row) fifth-year students Colten Brand, Jarod Epperson and Ana McCabe (Bottom row) seniors Lauren Tims and Annika Bard.
Seniors reminisce on their time as Viking athletes
Kim Kadrmas
she/her
kskadrmas21@ole.augie.edu
Annika Bard
Soccer
What has been the highlight of your
time on the soccer team?
“Probably just the friendships I’ve
made. I’m really close with my team.
Everyone gets along, and they are
lifelong friends.”
What hopes do you have for the
future of your team?
“To get to the NCAA Championship
would be awesome. This year we have a
Friday, Nov. 17, 2023
chance of doing it, and it’s kind of a norm
for us to go, and we haven’t in the past
three years.”
What are your plans
after graduation?
“I have to go to grad school some-
where. I’m looking at UW Madison or
UNC Chapel Hill. I have to get my mas-
ter’s, and then I will hopefully become a
speech-language pathologist.”
Ana McCabe (fifth year)
Cross Country
What has been the highlight of your
time on the cross country team?
“The team itself and the whole atmo-
sphere of being on a team that feels like a
family has been such a great experience.
The coaches really care about you as a
person and not just an athlete.”
What advice would you give to your
underclassman teammates?
“Don’t waste any opportunities to be
grateful to be in the sport. It’s so easy to
just look at the results and be disappoint-
ed if you don’t have a great race, but take
the positive out of each outcome and fo-
cus on that.”
What are your plans
after graduation?
“I hope to continue running, doing
some marathons and ultra-marathons. I
www.augiemirror.com
Graphic by Alayna Jones
don’t really have any concrete plans yet,
but I hope to work for an organization
dealing with food security and food sus-
tainability and do some writing along
with that.”
Jarod Epperson (fifth year)
Football
What is your favorite memory with
your team?
“That conference championship in
2021 was probably the biggest thing.”
Who has been your biggest
motivator in football?
See SENIORS, page 11