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The forecast predicts that the high will be 76 and the low will be 50.
MSU fundraising VP denies allegation of retaliatory firing
Michigan State University and its vice president in charge of fundraising, Kim Tobin, are denying a former employee’s allegations that she was fired in retaliation for reporting instances of sexual harassment. In a response to the original complaint filed Tuesday, MSU and Tobin rejected that claim, instead arguing that Tobin’s decision to fire former employee Alison Gaudreau in January 2025 was based solely on performance concerns. MSU and Tobin deny that Gaudreau “was reprimanded for protected activity or that any adverse employment action was taken for retaliatory reasons,” the filing states. It was later written that Gaudreau was fired “for legitimate, non-discriminatory and non-retaliatory business purposes.” Gaudreau filed the suit against the university and Tobin in her professional and personal capacity in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan in February. She alleges that she was reprimanded and ultimately terminated by Tobin after she informed the university about instances of sexual harassment by another employee — something Gaudreau claims she was required to do as a supervisor.
MSU receives Allergen-Free award, students express mixed opinions
Michigan State University Culinary Services was named the Best Overall Allergen-Free Campus Dining Program at MenuTrinfo’s 10th annual national allergy awards. The award recognizes organizations leading the way in food allergy safety, transparency, and accessibility across the industry. In an Eat at State social media post on April 13, registered CS Dietitian Kelsey Patterson said, “This recognition reflects the effort of our team to support individuals with dietary restrictions through our programs and services.” MSU Dining offers allergy accommodations that include allergen-conscious areas with gluten-free products, and nut-conscious dining halls at Holden, Holmes, and MSU Bakers. Thrive at Owen is an all-you-care-to-eat dining hall where all items served are free of the 9 major allergens and gluten. First-year neuroscience and human biology major Isabella Gunjab, whose allergies limit her to eating rice, chicken, and beef, is appreciative of MSU Culinary Services for going out of its way to make accommodations. “I tend to bring my own food, but when I do eat at Owen’s, I usually feel pretty safe,” said Gunjab.
‘Upcycled Home’ collaborative exhibit at MSU Union draws crowds just before Earth Day
A collaboration between the Spartan Upcycle and the Department of Art has made a home out of the Michigan State University Union’s 2nd floor. “UpCycled Home” is an art exhibit that highlights work made from repurposed objects gathered from the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center. The exhibit name “UpCycled Home” originates from the way the eclectic projects, all sourced from previously owned items, came together to make up the furniture and displays typically found in a conventional home. The main difference, of course, was that the focus was on sustainability and not purchasing new items. The pieces ranged from a small exhibit featuring faux household items, including a hair dryer, makeup product, hair rollers, and makeup brushes in a miniature size to a once-new typewriter and scrapbook. Each week, during Student Upcycle Fridays, the Surplus Store’s education/upcycle space allowed student creators the space to work on the pieces.
The forecast predicts a high of 78 and a low of 49.
MSU Turf Management Program provides grass for the World Cup
The world’s biggest sporting event kicks off in 50 days. 16 stadiums. 48 teams. 106 games — all played on grass developed through Michigan State’s Turfgrass Management Program. MSU researchers are collaborating with FIFA and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to provide the playing surface for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off June 11 across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. They are providing more than 88 miles of natural sod for the largest edition of the competition yet. The project was funded through a grant from FIFA. Led by John “Trey” Rogers III, a professor in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and a turfgrass expert, researchers crafted a blend of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass or Bermudagrass for use in each stadium. The mixture can be grown in sand on plastic, making it easier to replicate at sod farms across North America.
Sparty made nearly $100,000 for MSU last year
For Michigan State University students, Sparty can feel somewhat omnipresent. From his regular appearances at sporting events to his seemingly endless golf cart rides across campus, the beloved Spartan warrior is a quintessential part of the MSU experience. He’s also quite the high earner. Last fiscal year, Sparty brought in just shy of $100,000 for the university across 222 appearances at weddings and other paid events, according to FOIAball. That’s good enough to best all but two other mascots in revenue-generating prowess, Ohio State’s Brutus and Minnesota’s Goldy. The MSU Alumni Office allows groups to request that Sparty appear for 45 minutes at a variety of events, including graduation parties, birthdays, and charity events. The prices of such appearances vary, though the requester must also cover travel. A visit from the 9-foot-7-inch warrior at a Quinceañera runs a base fee of $300, while an appearance at a corporate event will run north of $1,000. It’s weddings that cost the most, at $1,500 per 45-minute appearance, during which Sparty dons a tuxedo. In the last fiscal year, Sparty attended 18 weddings where he netted $27,000. While the cost for a Sparty appearance differs across venues due to a combination of factors, “the compensation for the student who appears as Sparty is set and does not change,” MSU spokesperson Amber McCann said.
MSU Breakers wrap up the semester with one-on-one dance battle
MSU Breakers, a student organization that fosters community through the art of breakdance, hosted its end-of-the-year dance battle on the lawn of the MSU Multicultural Center on April 21 at 6 p.m. This end-of-the-year battle was a one-on-one battle with members of the club. It was also the first to be held outdoors and open to the public, said former MSU Breakers president and environmental studies and sustainability senior Emma Howe. This year’s dance battle was “Five Nights at Freddy’s” themed, a 2014 indie horror game that built a massive fan base. MSU Breakers showcased a sign featuring characters from the game alongside YouTuber Markiplier, who helped popularize it and Game Theory, known for creating in-depth theories during its early rise. The sign read: “FIVE NIGHTS AT THE MCC.” President of MSU Breakers and cultural comparative politics and German sophomore Allen Hoppe said it wasn’t necessarily his idea to make the event FNAF-themed. Still, the club likes to name its battles something funny.
The forecast predicts that the high will be 76 and the low will be 49.
At the Democratic convention, the Nassar scandal was a recurring theme in the trustee race
The past decade at Michigan State University has seen multiple presidential resignations, dramatic infighting on the institution’s governing body, and litigious fallout from the firing of its disgraced ex-football coach. Still, it was the long shadow of the Larry Nassar crisis that tinged how Democratic candidates for the MSU Board of Trustees pitched themselves to delegates at the Michigan Democratic Party convention Sunday. For Trustee Kelly Tebay Zemke, who netted the Democratic nomination alongside board chair Brianna Scott in Detroit yesterday, the promises she made as a newly elected trustee in 2018 to address how the university handled Nassar, the disgraced former university doctor who sexually assaulted hundreds of young women under the guise of medical treatment, were a recurring theme in her conversations with delegates Sunday. “I wanted to make a difference, and I wanted to make sure that this didn’t happen to anyone else at Michigan State,” Tebay Zemke told various caucuses at the Huntington Center. “And while we haven’t fixed the problem, we made a lot of progress that I’m really proud of.”
ELPD identifies man killed in officer-involved shooting
The East Lansing Police Department identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting last Wednesday at Lake Lansing and Abbott Roads as 21-year-old Isaiah Christopher Kirby, from Owings, Maryland. The shooting occurred when police responded to a theft at a business at 6:06 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, which evolved into a stabbing by a suspect, who the police identified as Kirby in a press release on Monday evening.
MSU men’s tennis claims title, women finish season with rivalry finale
Michigan State men’s tennis closed out its 2025-26 regular season with a history-chasing win for the men and a reflective, hard-fought finale for the women. The women’s match against Michigan carried emotion, but Michigan responded with a tiebreak and decisive 6-1 result at No. 3. In singles, Amara Brahmbhatt was a bright spot for MSU, controlling the court on her terms. However, Michigan struggled to hold leads or shift momentum, with Ellie Blackford, Matilde Morais, Hanna Tsitsavets, and Nina Plihal all losing. The men’s match ended with a statement, with senior Aristotelis Thanos, senior Ozan Baris, Taym Alazmeh, and Mitchell Sheldon all delivering commanding wins. The Spartans’ turnaround was characterized by trust and energy, as they leaned on their players to recover from the loss and continue their journey towards the Big Ten title.
The forecast predicts that the high will be 71 and the low will be 38.
Annual Earth Bash showcases sustainability and education
In preparation for Earth Day this Wednesday, the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center held its annual Earth Month event, Earth Bash, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, on site. The open house event hosted 15 partners, featuring various events, 6 activities, and sustainability education. Tours of the recycling center show how waste from the school is managed as a resource. At all the booths in the center, students and community members could make crafts, learn, and get new clothes, books, and more. Partners like Karma Cloth and the Sewing and Embroidery Club or Yarn Circle, used crafts to demonstrate how to help reduce waste. Old t-shirts and plastic bags were the spotlight of Yarn Circle’s booth. They taught attendees to make yarn out of the supplies and use it for crochet or knitting.
Trustees Scott, Tebay, and Zemke net Democratic nomination for MSU board
Michigan State University trustees Brianna Scott and Kelly Tebay Zemke will once again be the Democratic candidates for the university’s board of trustees, fending off a challenge by state Sen. Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit, to earn the state party’s nomination Sunday in Detroit. “I will continue to work to make sure that Michigan State remains affordable for our in-state students,” Scott said in her victory speech at 9:30 p.m. “I promise you, I will continue to do what has always been in the best interests of Michigan State University.” The board of trustees is composed of eight members who serve for staggered eight-year terms, with two seats up for grabs in November. Scott and Tebay Zemke, the longest-serving trustees on the board, both took office in January 2019. As members of the university’s governing body, they have overseen prolonged periods of strife at MSU and episodes of infighting on the board, including the aftermath of the Larry Nassar scandal and the years-long saga that ensued after Scott’s 2023 bombshell accusation that the then-board chair was engaging in widespread misconduct.
Munn hosts 24-hour hockey game for cancer fundraiser
The stench of sweat and ice filled Munn Ice Arena at 1 a.m. on Sunday. The crowd was seven people, including some asleep. Munn Ice Arena, home of the Michigan State hockey team, hosted a 24-hour hockey game beginning Saturday, April 18. The first puck dropped at 2 p.m. Saturday, and the final horn sounded at 2 p.m. Sunday. The event was a fundraiser for families affected by pediatric cancer, sponsored by LivFree, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the fight against pediatric cancer. Dan Vieira founded LivFree in honor of his daughter Lauren Irene Vieira, a pediatric cancer survivor. LivFree has existed for nine years, and its 24-hour hockey marathon has existed for two. The game at Munn is the first one outside Connecticut, where Vieira and LivFree are based. Over 90 people participated in the event. Some people were dressed for the occasion, in full hockey padding. Others stuck out on the ice, like hockey content creator Jacob Ardown, who sported jeans and a signature red cowboy hat.
The forecast predicts that the high will be 44 and the low will be 27.
House Republicans propose 62% slash to MSU state funding
State House Republicans are looking to slash 62% of state funding for Michigan State University. During a press conference on Thursday announcing the House’s proposed state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said MSU has been “losing their way, losing focus on its core mission.” The proposal seeks to reduce state appropriations to the university by $208.8 million compared to the current fiscal year, in which MSU received $333.7 million. The proposal follows several episodes over the past year in which state Republicans have scrutinized the university. In October, they argued that a College of Education course taught material that was discriminatory towards white students. That controversy subsequently prompted a public records request submitted by a conservative student group in March seeking evidence of ideological mandates at the college. That effort has been supported by a second-term state lawmaker who promises to bring its findings to the Capitol come budget negotiation season. On Thursday, Hall focused his energy toward Rx Kids, a prenatal and infant cash subscription program administered by MSU. Hall referred to the program as a “complete scam which is giving welfare to illegal aliens.” Hall added that “a lot of people” spend the money provided by Rx Kids on drugs and alcohol. He said there are already state programs that provide needy families with financial support, and which have eligibility requirements and stipulations as to what the disbursed funds can be used for.
Spring showers cause campus flooding, Red Cedar predicted to rise further
Following Easter weekend’s river overflow, East Lansing residents are preparing for the Red Cedar River to soon flood again. This comes after the river flooded earlier in the month, reaching a peak height of 8.12 feet on Monday, April 6th, nearing its historical record high of 13.4 feet, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The current NOAA flood forecast predicts the Red Cedar will peak at 8.5 feet at around 2 p.m. tomorrow. This comes as 12 rivers across the state of Michigan are expected to flood due to spring showers and snow melt, according to The Detroit News. East Lansing resident Kelly Hira spoke about her previous experience with the river flooding. “I left East Lansing in the 90s and came back a couple of years ago. I remember the flood of ‘76 or ‘75, that was pretty intense,” Hira said. “I was living in the Flower Pot area, University Village, and that whole zone was underwater. Neighborhoods were underwater.”
Three MSU gymnasts compete at NCAA Championships
Three Michigan State gymnasts competed for a chance at national titles in the NCAA Championship semifinals Thursday in Fort Worth, Texas. Senior Nikki Smith competed in the all-around, senior Sage Kellerman competed on vault and uneven bars, and junior Gabi Ortiz competed on the floor. They were selected as the standout performers in the regional stage of the NCAA tournament from teams that did not qualify for the Elite Eight. Four all-arounders and four specialists for each event are selected. None earned a national title.
The forecast predicts a high of 71 and a low of 53.
Stabbing suspect dead after officer-involved shooting in East Lansing
East Lansing police officers responded to a theft at a business on Lake Lansing and Abbot roads at 6:06 p.m. Wednesday that evolved into a stabbing by a suspect. Police officers shot and killed the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene, said ELPD Chief Jennifer Brown at a press conference Wednesday night. Brown said the suspect, who officers described as having blood on his person, was seen running towards the officers and did not follow orders to drop the knife in his hand. The victim of the stabbing is in critical condition at a nearby hospital, Brown said.
Faculty committee ‘caught in the middle’ of negotiations between UTSF and MSU
A Michigan State University academic governance body is caught in the middle of contract negotiations between a recently recognized faculty union and the university. The University Committee on Faculty Affairs, which writes an annual memo recommending faculty merit raises to the administration, has been advised by the general counsel to pause its bylaw-mandated work pending contract negotiations between the Union of Tenure-System Faculty and the university. The dispute between the three parties began last September, shortly after MSU officially recognized UTSF. In response, the university paused UCFA proceedings, including work on faculty raise memos that were scheduled to be sent at the end of the academic year. Last month, UTSF claimed that this action by the university, among others, violated labor laws on contract negotiations. They alleged that MSU violated the “status quo”: the existing terms and conditions of employment at the time a union is officially recognized. On the other hand, MSU is claiming that UCFA proceedings, like the drafting of the annual faculty merit raise memo, serving as an advisory document to the administration, also constitute status quo violations. In the eyes of the general counsel, that memo acts as a form of direct dealing.
Political science junior Maddie Hanes elected ASMSU President
Political science junior Maddie Hanes was elected President of The Associated Students of Michigan State University by a majority vote of the student government’s General Assembly on Tuesday. Hanes, who previously served as the vice president of internal administration, will oversee the Office of the President during the student government’s 63rd session, which began earlier this month. As president, Hanes will be responsible for overseeing the functions of ASMSU and revising the internal structure for the efficiency of the organization come the fall semester. After the beginning of the new school year, she will be serving as the student liaison in various administrative spaces, including the Board of Trustees, and will administer ASMSU meetings. She has promised to further student engagement and amplify student voices in administrative spaces.
The forecast predicts a high of 66 and a low of 48.
Bullough returns to MSU after 12 years, but ‘Spartan Pride’ never left
The same man who left East Lansing in 2014 as an All-American linebacker with “Spartan Pride” tattooed across his biceps walked into Michigan State football’s team meeting room for Tuesday’s media availability — now standing at the front as a coach. For a program filled with frustration after a 4-8 season, the hiring of Max Bullough in December as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach reignited a fan base desperate for something to believe in. Social media is flooded with alumni, fans, and former players showing support for bringing the Notre Dame linebackers coach home. It also created an opportunity for a brotherhood of players from MSU’s glory days to reconnect, regardless of how long it had been. It’s been 12 years since he strolled through East Lansing as a student and nearly 11 years since he last visited campus. Now, he stands as a 34-year-old husband to his wife, Bailee, a father of four boys, and a coach with seven seasons under his belt. But his love and respect for the university — and his drive to bring it success — remain just as strong as they were when he was in pads under former head coach Mark Dantonio.
Faculty, administrators warn of rating site pitfalls
As the spring semester nears its end, Michigan State University students will be asked to evaluate their instructors anonymously through the university’s Student Perceptions of Learning Surveys. Some of those students will then head to another site, Rate My Professor, to conduct a second, potentially more candid, evaluation. Since the creation of Rate My Professors in 1999, students at MSU and elsewhere have turned to the site to inform their semesterly course selections and write reviews for incoming students. But while Rate My Professors has become an essential tool for schedule building — roughly 9.5 million people visited it in March, according to web traffic aggregator SimilarWeb — faculty and administrators warn that its reliance on anonymous reviews, with no way to confirm if someone is actually enrolled in a class, is ripe for exploitation. Research into the site has also found that female professors consistently receive lower scores than their male colleagues, while other papers have identified the close link between instructors’ lenient academic expectations and high ratings. In 2023, MSU introduced the Student Perceptions of Learning Surveys, which were meant to emphasize evaluating personal learning rather than teaching perceptions and would allow academic programs to garner additional feedback through customized questions. Since their introduction, students haven’t had access to SPLS survey results. This is because multiple academic years of responses are needed for reliable aggregated results, said Jessica Livingston, the director of communications within the Office of the Provost.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib calls for U.S. envoy to Sudan at MSU Union panel
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., joined a consortium of panelists at Michigan State University Sunday afternoon to raise awareness of the Sudanese civil war, saying she would request the restoration of a U.S. envoy to the country. The “Women at the Forefront” panel featured key figures in Arab American organizing across the country, including Khadega Mohammed, the first Sudanese American community engagement officer for the Arab American National Museum, and Suehaila Amen, the national organizing director for the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee. The panel was part of a series of events held in the MSU Union over the weekend as part of the Sudanese Synergy Summit, a two-day conference meant to bring together the Sudanese diaspora. The summit was organized by the Najwa Foundation in conjunction with myriad MSU student organizations, including Sudanese Spartans and Students for Justice in Palestine. U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed was an opening speaker for the panel. Advocates for ending the civil war and subsequent genocide in Sudan have been closely associated with the pro-Palestinian movement in the U.S., who vouch for the end of weapon exchanges between the U.S., the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
The forecast predicts that the high will be 71 and the low will be 62.
VanSlooten becomes the ninth Spartan ever drafted in the WNBA Draft
Four years, two teams, and 126 games later, all the hard work on the hardwood has paid off for senior forward Grace VanSlooten. With the ninth pick in the third round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Seattle Storm selected VanSlooten, making her the ninth Michigan State women’s basketball player ever selected in the draft and the first since 2017. The former five-star prospect spent her first two seasons at Oregon before transferring to MSU, putting her trust in head coach Robyn Fralick, who had just finished her first season in East Lansing. From that point on, VanSlooten became the team’s offensive anchor over the past two years, helping Fralick not only rebuild the program but also take it to new heights. She scored 962 points for the Spartans — bringing her career total to 1,849 — and led the team in scoring both years. She also became a better all-around player, earning All-Big Ten second team honors in both seasons.
Donor illegally sought to keep tabs on Tucker investigation, Brenda Tracy says
Brenda Tracy, the rape survivor and advocate who was sexually harassed by former Michigan State University football coach Mel Tucker, is alleging that United Wholesale Mortgage CEO Mat Ishbia used his influence at MSU to keep tabs on the university’s confidential investigation into her sexual harassment complaint against Tucker. At the center of the lawsuit, which was filed March 23 in Oakland County Circuit Court, is Tracy’s allegation that General Counsel for United Wholesale Mortgage David Zacks was privy to communications regarding the probe without Tracy’s knowledge. Zacks’ involvement, the suit argues, demonstrates how a long-time donor, who played a large role in MSU offering Tucker a pricey extension contract, sought to use his influence at MSU for “reputation management” and to develop a “media strategy” amid the internal probe into Tucker. The suit names Ishbia and United Wholesale Mortgage as defendants. Tracy is seeking a jury trial and damages exceeding $25,000.
Cullen Potter commits to MSU hockey out of transfer portal
According to multiple reports, future junior forward Cullen Potter has committed to the Michigan State hockey program for the 2026-27 season, transferring from Arizona State University. Potter played just 24 games of the 2025-26 season after suffering an upper-body/shoulder injury due to a hit on Jan. 10. He finished the season with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) before undergoing surgery. He is a consistent scorer. Potter is a first-round draft pick of the Calgary Flames (32nd overall in 2025) and a product of the U.S. National Development Team Program (NDTP). He was originally committed to attend MSU but flipped his commitment to ASU in May 2024 when MSU did not have a roster spot for him in the 2024-25 season. Potter entered college following a 46-point season in 54 games on the U-17 team, while most players spend two years with the NDTP.
The forecast predicts that the high will be 73 and the low will be 61.
MSU baseball avoids series sweep, snaps losing streak to rival Michigan
Michigan State baseball closed out its home series against rival Michigan with a 10-5 win. The Spartans avoided a series sweep against their crosstown rivals and got their first win against the Wolverines in nearly two years. MSU improves to 12-21 on the season and 6-12 in conference play. “We haven’t won on Sunday all year, it was a good one to get on Sunday and salvage one game from the series,” head coach Jake Boss Jr. said, “Hopefully a little bit of momentum into a busy week.” The Spartans will hope to use this game as a momentum boost for the rest of the season as they gear up for a long week starting at home against Oakland on Tuesday, followed by a game against Western Michigan on Wednesday. They finish off the week in Washington for a three-game Big Ten series.
Board split over Quinn dossier
MSU’s Board of Trustees has issued a statement condemning the conduct of those who publicly ridicule and evaluate the performance of a university administrator, Mike Quinn. The statement, signed by board chair Brianna Scott, Renee Knake-Jefferson, Sandy Pierce, Kelly Tebay-Zemke, and Rebecca Bahar-Cook, argues that such actions are inappropriate and undermine governance norms. The statement also mentions a dossier compiled by Quinn’s critics, arguing that he has mishandled high-profile scandals. The board has not yet begun investigating the complaint, and the president has not commented on the situation. MSU’s board faced a delicate balance between giving presidents space to do their jobs without obstruction and keeping them in check. The board’s independence from the administration was questioned due to revelations of sexual abuse by longtime doctor Larry Nassar. The board’s discord continued with a rapid turnover rate, public criticism, and a global pandemic. In 2022, President Samuel Stanley resigned due to a fractured relationship with the board. The board opted to retain an outside firm to investigate allegations, which found evidence of widespread misconduct. In 2024, Kevin Guskiewicz accepted the presidency, despite the board’s supposed penchant for interference. Guskiewicz said the entities were on “one team” and emphasized the university’s efforts to move forward from the Nassar scandal and improve its handling of sexual violence. MSU trustees have been divided over a dossier detailing allegations against the university’s former president, Michael Quinn. The board, led by board members Vassar and Denno, has been accused of handling high-profile scandals, including the withholding of documents and interference in independent Title IX investigations. The allegations stem from Quinn’s handling of high-profile sagas, including the withholding of documents and a lawsuit by a faculty member against the trustees. The majority of the board has condemned the dossier, signaling an unclear path forward for Quinn’s critics. The board’s decision to condemn the dossier signals an uncertain future for the university.
Jeremy Fears Jr. declares for the NBA draft, maintains college eligibility
Michigan State men’s basketball’s All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. announced he’s declaring for the NBA Draft while maintaining his remaining two years of college eligibility. “After speaking with my family, coaches, and representatives, I’m excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility,” Fears wrote in a social media post Friday. Fears is the first Spartan to announce their future plans after the team’s season ended March 27. Fears led MSU in scoring with 15.2 points per game and a nation-best 9.4 assists per game.
Lansing’s 517 Poetry Room prepares for upcoming Youth Slam event
Masaki Takahashi is the host of 517 Poetry Room’s slams and open mics — but he’s been inspired by the rising young voices he hears in his community to host a new event. The Native Child Youth Slam will be held on April 25th, offering a $500 grand prize and a title belt. WDBM’s Liam Clymer spoke with Takahashi, gathering insight into the inspirations for the event, how the Poetry Room connects with local high schools and the good it’s doing for the next generation of poets in the city.
The forecast predicts that the high will be 51 and the low will be 32.
MSU leaders defend free speech, condemn antisemitism ahead of Hasan Piker campus visit
The Board of Trustees of Michigan State University and President Kevin Guskiewicz released a statement affirming the institution’s role in upholding free speech principles and condemning antisemitism an hour before U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is set to speak alongside leftist commentator Hasan Piker at an on-campus rally. Piker’s appearance at the rally has drawn stiff pushback from centrist Democrats in the week since the campaign announced that he would be joining El-Sayed for rallies at MSU and at the University of Michigan. MSU Hillel, a Jewish student group, said it was “deeply troubled” by the appearance of Piker, who the group characterized as a “known antisemite.” “As leaders and stewards of MSU, we understand that universities have a role in supporting free speech and encouraging diversity of thought,” the statement from MSU leaders read. “We uphold these principles as foundational to higher education.” “At the same time, we recognize that recent comments attributed to a speaker coming to campus, who the university did not invite, have caused pain and concern, particularly among members of our Jewish community,” the statement continued. “Antisemitism and discrimination of any kind is unacceptable and inconsistent with our institutional values and has no place in a community grounded in respect, inclusion and dignity.”
El-Sayed, Hasan Piker rebuke ‘platform police’ in MSU rally
As Hasan Piker stepped in front of a packed crowd at Michigan State University Tuesday afternoon, it marked the culmination of a media whirlwind focused on the wedge his involvement in the Michigan senate race was driving between Democrats. All that buzz, Piker noted, seemed to be focusing on the wrong things. “It seems contrary to what my naysayers have been focused on, in the past three weeks of Donald Trump’s insane ramblings and bombing campaigns, this event has not been cancelled at all,” Piker said to a round of applause. Indeed, most of the remarks from U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Piker and Pennsylvania Rep. Summer Lee were oriented towards advocating for El-Sayed’s progressive platform and chastising the Trump administration. Nonetheless, the recent controversy still loomed over some of their comments. Political think-tanks like Third Way warned that platforming Piker — whose past incendiary comments and staunch anti-Israel stance has drawn criticism from Democrats and Republicans — would further alienate voters in crucial swing states like Michigan.
Tiernan Shoudy eighth MSU hockey player to sign tryout or contract
Michigan State hockey senior center Tiernan Shoudy has signed a professional contract with the Wheeling Nailers, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, for the rest of the 2025-26 season. He also signed a contract with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the 2026-27 season, joining senior winger Daniel Russell. Shoudy is the eighth Spartan to sign a professional contract or amateur tryout agreement. Freshman forward Porter Martone, junior goaltender Trey Augustine, junior defenseman Maxim Štrbák, Russell, senior defenseman Matt Basgall, sophomore defenseman Colin Ralph and senior center Charlie Stramel have all signed tryouts or entry-level contracts following the Spartans’ season.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting steady rain in the morning with showers continuing into the afternoon with a high of 49 degrees and a low of 45 degrees.
MSU reports meningococcal disease case, risk to campus deemed minimal
A Michigan State University student living on campus has been diagnosed with bacterial meningococcal disease, according to an email sent on Monday from University Physician Dr. Michael Brown.
Bacterial meningitis, as described by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a serious infection that causes inflammation and swelling of the brain and spinal cord.
The student reported symptoms on Nov. 9 and has since been treated at a local hospital. Dr. Brown’s email noted that the student is recovering well and has not experienced any severe complications.
In response, the Ingham County Health Department (ICHD) and MSU conducted contact tracing to identify individuals who may have been in close contact with the student. Preventative medical care, including antibiotics, was provided to those at risk, such as roommates and others with prolonged close exposure.
Dr. Brown emphasized that the risk to the broader campus community is minimal, as bacterial meningitis is rare and not easily transmissible. The disease spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s saliva or mucus, including actions such as sneezing, coughing, kissing, or sharing utensils.
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis can develop rapidly or over several days and include high fever, headache and a stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and rash. MSU urges students to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of these symptoms, as bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment.
The university is encouraging students to consider getting the meningococcal vaccine, which is available at Olin Health Center and the ICHD. While the vaccine is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended for college students to reduce the risk of severe illness.
How the baseball radar gun got its start at MSU
Fifty years ago, an MSU student had no idea that a short story he was writing about the MSU police would go on to change the art of pitching in Major League Baseball.
Steve Orr was just getting his footing as a new reporter at the student paper, The State News, in 1974 when he covered the new radar guns MSUPD had purchased to catch speeding cars.
The story, titled “MSU police get radar gun,” takes up a mere half-page of the paper and includes a photo of a police officer holding the new tool.
The article reached Danny Litwhiler, the MSU baseball coach at the time, who thought the radar gun technology could be used in his profession. Peter Morris, a baseball historian and author, explained that Danny then asked the police department if an officer could park a radar-equipped cruiser on the field during practice to see if it could track the speed of pitches.
With the cruiser parked between the mound and home plate, Danny had a pitcher throw a ball past the radar gun. When the estimate from the device came back with what seemed to be an accurate response, Danny realized the potential of the tool. He promptly sent a letter to Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to share the discovery.
Because the company that created the radar gun, a Colorado company called CMI Inc., only saw the tool as use for public safety, Danny contacted John Paulson, inventor of the JUGS pitching machine, to see if he could attach a battery to the gun to do away with the police cruiser.
Thus, a prototype was born. Eventually, the JUGS gun became an essential baseball weapon.
Steve only learned of the impact his newspaper story had last month when Peter sent him an email about it two days before the 50th anniversary of the story on Oct. 10, 2024.
A baseball fan himself, Steve was pleasantly surprised that his story inspired such a change in the field.
He said he was delighted to hear from Peter about his role in baseball history. He immediately sent the story to his family and friends when he learned of the chain of events.
Before the radar gun came into play, Peter said, baseball scouts used to come up with creative ways to determine a player’s skill.
Some would climb up trees to evaluate a prospect from various angles, and others relied on various myths and legends. A common one, called “The Good Face,” was to determine a player’s skill based on whether he had the right “look” of maturity and confidence on his face.
The radar gun made scouting more mathematical and less based on assumptions and myths.
Danny served as the MSU baseball coach from 1964 to 1983 and was referred to as the “Thomas Edison of baseball” by author Dan Gutman in his book about unique baseball inventions, “Banana Bats and Ding-Dong Balls.”
According to the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame, which inducted Danny in 2023, he is responsible for over 100 inventions and innovations introduced to aid in coaching and development.
The radar gun has come a long way from its start in a cruiser parked on a field to now a hand-held device carried by baseball coaching staffs across the country.
While still used by Major League Baseball teams, it is also still up-and-running in the very place it started.
Based on original reporting by Jessica Pruitt and Hannah Holycross.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day with a high of 52 degrees and a low of 44 degrees.
Cancelling Classes, group discussions: MSU faculty grapple with how to address election results amid scrutiny
The morning after Election Day, hours after the presidential race was called for Donald Trump, Bob Gould said he found himself having to do “a lot of soul searching.”
The broadcast journalism professor was trying to decide how to broach the subject in class that day, knowing that “for some, this is a really difficult time because they feel like maybe their status will be marginalized,” he said.
MSU faculty have the difficult task of addressing an election that has distressed some students without ostracizing those who feel differently. Some have chosen to keep their personal political beliefs to themselves. Others have been vocal about how the election has affected them, a choice university administrators say should be exercised with caution.
In any case, many professors have used the classroom as a space for students to process and learn from the news.
Gould avoided taking sides and let his students do the talking, he said, choosing to open class with a group discussion.
Other faculty did not try to hide their political beliefs. In fact, one professor’s vocal reaction to Trump’s election spurred additional guidance from university administration on how to respond to the news. On the other hand, some canceled classes hours after the Associated Press called the race for Trump.
MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant said the university was quickly notified of such class cancellations and received “copies of some of the social media posts.”
University officials also heard from students who felt uncomfortable taking classes after seeing “their faculty member was canceling the class or making it seem like what happened with the election was a bad thing,” Guerrant said.
In response, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Mark Largent reminded deans and other top faculty of the university’s expectations around canceling class in a meeting of the University Committee on Undergraduate Education on Thursday.
Largent said he didn’t tell faculty to not cancel class or make political statements. But he did remind them of a section of MSU’s Code of Teaching Responsibility which states that instructors are “responsible for meeting their classes regularly and at scheduled times” and that they must notify their units if they will be absent.
The guidance issued to faculty comes as MSU moves toward “institutional neutrality,” a term used to describe formal policies barring universities from issuing political statements. While MSU’s president and board are still discussing whether to officially enact such policies, the university has already issued guidance to administrators explicitly describing its institutional “tone” on the Israel-Hamas war as “neutral.”
MSU’s own response to the election results took an impartial tone, yet acknowledged concerns often raised by liberals about Trump’s plans for higher education.
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz encouraged students in an email two days after the election to recognize “our common humanity and the inherent dignity in each other,” acknowledging that the election “stirred strong feelings.”
“Spartans won’t always agree, and that’s ok,” Guskiewicz wrote. “A big part of the MSU educational experience is grappling with the many ways to live and view the world.”
STOMP brings non-traditional beats to Wharton
Making a beat from a garbage can and drumsticks, and with plenty more “instruments” in tow, STOMP came to the Wharton Center for Performing Arts’ Cobb Great Hall last week. To kick off the shows, cast members performed a number outside Wharton last Wednesday.
In the show, cast members use anything other than traditional instruments to make a beat. Showcasing just the sounds they make; STOMP is a lively explosion proving anything can be music.
There’s lots of different objects used in the show, making it hard to pick a favorite. Cast member Andrew Patrick has found love for the rhythm in the routine shopping carts.
But some of the best music may come from no instruments at all. Cast member Jayme Overton credits her favorite being the hands and feet number.
The cast travels internationally to perform and often is not spending very long in one location. East Lansing was lucky enough to have the cast for three nights. This is not just exciting for the students, but also for Overton who has friends that attend Michigan State University.
STOMP is most well-known for its creative expression of music, but the show is also a very performative dance.
The show is best seen and heard by audience members. The cast loves to get the audience involved and loves to have fun on stage and seeing how the audience engages.
Based on original reporting by Emilio Perez Ibarguen, Theo Scheer, Amelia Fraser.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies with a high of 48 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.
‘It’s On Us’ week to support survivors of sexual violence
This week, the Michigan State University Prevention, Outreach and Education Department (POE) is hosting its biannual “It’s On Us” week of action.
Each day of the week will have an event that seeks to bring awareness to the work that POE and MSU’s “It’s On Us” chapter are doing to support survivors of sexual assault and provide ways for community members to directly support survivors.
“It’s On Us” is a nonprofit organization focused on prevention education programs for students. It was founded in 2014 by the Obama administration and MSU’s chapter has been around since its inception.
POE Prevention Education Manager Jodie Goodman has planned the event alongside a planning committee of students and staff.
It’s important for the Week of Action to have student voices involved in the event planning, Jodie said. The planning committee, which is co-chaired by two students, has been meeting with Jodie weekly since August.
POE and MSU’s “It’s On Us” wanted students to feel that the events are for them, so students on the planning committee provide input on important factors like location and time.
Each event will be a different way for community members to provide support for survivors and for the different resources on campus. Here’s an idea of the schedule for the remainder of the week…
Today, the “Cultivate Change” event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Wells Hall Park. Participants will decorate pots and plant seeds to represent the progress made by change-makers around campus.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Brody Hall, there will be a Community Closet restock for the MSU Center for Survivors. One of the goals of the Week of Action is to buy out the Amazon wish list for the MSU Center for Survivor’s community closet.
Tomorrow, In Brody room 136 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be a journaling session, “Hope Action Journaling.” The goal of this event is to foster hope and resilience through journaling while thinking about actions that attendees can take to help survivors.
On Friday, there will be the grand finale of the Week of Action in Wells Hall People’s Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a candy buffet, and attendees can also make friendship bracelets while celebrating the week.
The campus partner scavenger hunt will take place all week. There are three plushies hidden at three campus resources that support survivors and students at MSU can find. There will be a clue each day, on the MSU It’s On Us Instagram, to lead students to the plushie and the first to arrive will claim the plushie as a prize.
The full schedule can be found on The State News website.
Also, for each day, participants can dress in that day’s Spirit theme color and post a selfie with the hashtag “MSUitsonusFall24” to spread the word about the week’s events. Today, students can wear purple for domestic violence awareness; tomorrow, Spartan Gear; Thursday is yellow for stalking awareness; and finally on Friday, is denim.
Beyond the Week of Action, students and community members can get involved through volunteer opportunities or by becoming a POE peer educator.
Community members gather at Baker Woodlot for invasive species removal
This past Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., several different Michigan State University student groups came together to pick up trash and remove invasive species from the Baker Woodlot on south campus, an activity that will continue throughout fall and into winter.
This event was just the beginning for Carolyn Miller, the Arboretum and invasive species coordinator at Beal Garden. She said while this event was inspired by different student groups wanting to do a Baker Woodlot cleanup, the removal of invasive species in the area is a recurring necessity for the health of the old-growth forest.
The invasive species are commonly spread by birds who eat the fruits from the plants and then defecate in other areas. The three most daunting plants for Baker Woodlot are honeysuckle, privets and buckthorn.
Carolyn said the Forestry Club had reached out to her about doing a Baker Woodlot cleanup and she said while there is some trash that can be picked up, the invasives are more common and problematic. The Honors College Service Club had also previously contacted her about getting outside for a project.
She then reached out to the fisheries and wildlife department and, all together, they planned this event.
Carolyn said this event was just the first of many for the season as she plans to have Friday afternoon workdays in the woodlot where people can join her in removing the problematic plants. She said information will soon be posted on the Beal Garden and Arboretum websites where community members can sign up.
Spartans rely on seasonal essentials to stay healthy during fall weather
As the days grow shorter and the weather gets chillier, Michigan State University students are leaning on their favorite fall essentials to stay warm, focused and healthy. From layering up to facing the gloomy weather, here’s what’s getting Spartans through the fall season.
With Michigan’s famously unpredictable fall weather, layering is a survival skill for MSU students. Hoodies and flannels are just a few favorites, helping students bundle up against the cold, damp mornings and cloudy skies.
The gloomy, overcast days of fall can wipe out students’ energy and make getting out of bed for class feel extra challenging. To stay motivated, some students lean into the season with cozy decor and festive touches to brighten up their space.
Others take a different approach, sticking to routines that prioritize early mornings, keeping their momentum steady even on the cloudiest days.
With the cooler temperatures and an increase in sickness, students rely on warm drinks and healthy foods to stay warm, healthy and to boost their immune systems.
The choice of immune-boosting ingredients helps students stay resilient against seasonal colds during chilly months.
Foods and drinks aren’t the only healthy essentials that Spartans recommend for the fall season. Many students also turn to vitamins, like vitamin D, fish oil and ginger root. They help combat illness and keep their bodies healthy and energized despite the unpredictable weather.
Though the gloomy weather often tempts people to stay indoors, MSU students recommend staying active by enjoying seasonal outings with friends. Others make the most of MSU’s resources by participating in wellness and exercise classes at IM East and IM West, keeping their energy and spirits lifted despite the chilly days.
Fall at MSU can be as challenging as it is beautiful, with chilly temperatures and gloomy days that test even the most motivated students. These essentials, along with a little extra motivation, help Spartans navigate the demands of academic life while prioritizing health.
Based on original reporting by Hannah Locke, Anna Barnes, and Jessica Pruitt.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with a high of 53 degrees and a low of 30 degrees.
MSU board election results were temporarily incorrect due to a miscount
Roughly 20,000 votes were miscounted in the Michigan State University Board of Trustees race — an error that was later resolved but, before discovered, could have altered who won the second open seat.
Republican Mike Balow secured his place on the board last Thursday, receiving 24.9% of votes. Republican Julie Maday had been consistently in second place, but was overtaken by Democrat Rebecca Bahar-Cook Thursday afternoon when the additional votes were counted.
It’s still unclear whether Bahar-Cook will maintain her lead. With an estimated 99% of the votes in, AP has not yet called the second seat. Around 6,000 additional military and overseas ballots have yet to be counted, the Lansing State Journal reported.
In Ingham County, where MSU’s East Lansing campus is located, Democrats hold a stronger lead. Bahar-Cook and Stallworth currently hold 31.7% and 29.4% in the county, respectively, while Balow and Maday hold 17.4% and 16.8%.
MSU’s board is tasked with overseeing the president and making big-picture decisions about the university’s finances and operations. Their terms last eight years, with two seats opening up every two years. The trustees are elected in statewide partisan races, and occasionally appointed by the governor if a trustee’s resignation or other circumstances result in a vacated seat during a term.
Human remains found in freezer in East Lansing residence
The East Lansing Police Department is investigating a potential homicide after finding human remains inside a freezer in an East Lansing townhome in the 1500 block of Wintercrest Street.
In a press release, the department said officers arrived at the scene on Thursday after receiving a call indicating there was blood on the floor inside the residence. They entered the residence with help from the property management company.
After a further search, a deceased individual was found inside the freezer along with possible human remains of a second individual, according to the release.
In an interview with WLNS, neighbor Andrew Whitney said he hadn’t seen anyone enter or leave the townhome for months. East Lansing Interim Police Chief Chad Pride told WLNS the pool of blood was dried, and the police believe this incident is something that happened further back.
Pride said the delay in finding the remains will make the investigation harder, but he has faith the detectives will get to the bottom of it.
Evidence was taken from the residence by Michigan State Police and is being examined at a crime lab.
The ELPD’s statement, released shortly after the remains were found, said the investigation is ongoing and no arrests were made. According to the statement, there is no threat to the public at this time.
MSU facilities work together to turn waste into power
Three different Michigan State University departments are working together in sustainable practices to convert campus waste into energy.
In 2008, MSU established the Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center (ADREC), which turns animal and culinary waste into power for the campus. MSU Culinary Services and MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center contribute different kinds of waste to sustainably convert it.
The gasses generated from the process are converted into energy and used in the MSU power grid. There are two digesters on the south side of campus. They are used for research purposes as well as contributing power to campus. Students use it to study microbiology and engineering processes.
According to MSU’s sustainability website, MSU is one of three universities in the U.S. with a “self-sustaining” anaerobic digester.
All of the waste comes from two different sources: the MSU Dairy Farm and Brody dining hall.
When food is discarded, it is placed in the trough with water, which then goes through a pulper, a machine that breaks down food into smaller pieces.
Brody is the only dining hall with a pulper that allows for this process.
There is no plan of installing a pulper in other cafeterias due to each dining hall’s unique design. However, food scraps do not go to waste, and are used for other sustainability programs.
The properties of the food waste is how the digester turns the product into methane.
Waste from the farm arrives at the digester more often than the food waste. Manager at the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center Jim Good said they transport manure from the farm twice a day.
Good said every transport is 1,500 gallons of manure. The farm also has an underground pump, which transports around 9,000 gallons of manure in one day, totaling 12,000 gallons of waste from the farm daily.
According to MSU’s sustainability website, operators add 20,000 gallons of waste to the digester every day, where microorganisms break down the waste in the holding tank for 20-30 days.
Good said manure does not disappear after the process. According to MSU’s sustainability website, the ending byproducts after the material is broken down are liquid and solid fertilizers.
To reduce other contaminants at the source, the machine at Brody has magnets on the side to pull any metal materials mixed in with the food waste out of the system’s flow. This is part of the campus’s sustainability practices, with the idea of eliminating landfill dumping.
Based on original reporting by Theo Scheer, Hannah Holycross and Anna Rossow.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting sun and a few passing clouds with a high of 57 degrees and a low of 42 degrees. For the weekend it looks like partly cloudy skies with showers on Sunday with temps in the high 50s.
Kamala Harris underperformed past Democrats in MSU precincts
Vice President Kamala Harris failed to match Democrat’s levels of support on Michigan State University’s campus compared to the 2020 and 2022 elections, according to an independent data analysis from The State News. This trend is in line with the consensus that the vice president underperformed nationally compared to Joe Biden in 2020.
Harris obtained 74.52% of votes in East Lansing precincts 1, 12, 13, 14 and 15, which make up MSU’s campus, according to data from Ingham County. That level of support is over 3 percentage points short of President Joe Biden’s 78.19% of earned votes on campus.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many MSU students were not living on campus during the 2020 election. The total number of votes cast on campus in 2020 was 949, less than a third of the 3,092 votes cast in the 2024 election.
Although the 2020 election may not be the strongest indicator of the campus’ voting patterns, Harris also failed to match Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s levels of support in the 2022 midterm election — which was held on a post-pandemic, fully populated campus.
While voter turnout on campus was only 1,889 in 2022, Whitmer’s dominance on campus ultimately contributed to her defeat of Republican Tudor Dixon by over 10 percentage points.
For whatever reason, Harris failed to inherit Biden and Whitmer’s successes on campus. That outcome, as of 2:18 a.m. on Nov. 6, has contributed to her deficit in Michigan.
MSU First-Generation Week launches with student resource fair
MSU First-Generation Week kicked off Monday afternoon with a resource fair hosted by the Associated Students of Michigan State University.
The event, which took place in the MSU Union Lake Huron Room, featured MSU offices, ASMSU and student organizations.
ASMSU traditionally plans this annual event, Vice President of Academic Affairs Ahmed Amir said.
Amir, who organized the event, said he wanted first-generation students to understand there are offices and resources available to support them throughout their college experiences.
A new addition to the fair involved several breakout rooms that occurred throughout the event. Breakout rooms featured presentations by MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services and MSU Education Abroad, while others included presentations by career services and discussed financial literacy.
These sessions allowed for a more intimate setting where students could learn and inquire about a specific resource or office.
Marlene Villa, the coordinator for first-generation student success and chair of the first-generation week planning committee, said she collaborated with ASMSU for this event and others held later in the week.
Villa wants to bring awareness to what it means to be first-generation, as she said many are not even aware they fall into this category.
Villa wants to use this week to not only provide information and academic resources, but also celebrate the work and successes of first-generation students.
Guskiewicz said first-generation students comprise 21% of the incoming class this semester. One of his goals is to make sure those students can thrive by taking advantage of the university’s resources, he said.
A breakout room hosted by Olivia Scott, the CAPS assistant director of multicultural initiatives and community engagement, highlighted some of the challenges faced by first-generation students.
Scott said first-generation students can struggle with the transition to the college environment, whether that be with navigating class structures, schedules or the demands of different courses and majors.
Scott then discussed how students can deal with these challenges in a healthy way, including reflecting on personal strengths, recognizing signs of stress and incorporating self care.
She also pointed to CAPS as a service that offers formal and informal support to students, with some facilitators dedicated to the pathways program aimed toward first-generation students.
She hopes having someone in an environment students see weekly will make them feel more comfortable to reach out for help.
Specialists seek to address mental health, substance use correlation among students
As students progress through their academic journeys, pressures build and mental health issues rise alongside substance use. For Michigan State University students, health specialists say understanding this correlation is crucial for personal well-being, supporting peers and fostering a safer, more informed campus community.
An article from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that mental health issues can lead to the misuse of alcohol and drugs as a form of self-medication.
Using substances as a coping mechanism can often lead to dependency, reinforcing negative mental health patterns, hindering academic performance and discouraging individuals from seeking the help they need from professionals.
Misusing substances can lead to harmful habits and health issues that may persist into adulthood, impacting long-term well-being and success that may continue to be ignored or unnoticed by an individual.
There are several resources for Spartans seeking support, including MSU’s CAPS program, the SAMHSA helpline, as well as Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC), who directly helps support students in their recovery process on campus.
Addressing the intersection of mental health and substance use is part of creating a healthier campus environment. By normalizing conversations around these issues, students and faculty alike can work together to reduce stigma, increase education and encourage early intervention.
Based on original reporting by Emilio Perez Ibarguen, Anish Topiwala and Jessica Pruitt.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home Athletic line-up for the weekend…
Friday
- Women’s Basketball will play Yale at 7 P.M. at the Breslin Center.
- Hockey will go up against Ohio State at 7 P.M. at Munn Ice Arena.
Saturday
- Hockey will play Ohio State at 7 P.M. at Munn Ice Arena.
- Wrestling will compete in the Michigan State Open at 9:30 A.M. at Jenison Fieldhouse.
Here’s the MSU events lineup for the weekend…
Saturday
- The Student Osteopathic Medical Association D.O. Monster Dash 5k will happen at Fee Hall. The fundraiser is to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation which is an organization that works with pediatric oncologists to fund the most promising research to combat childhood cancer and support survivors. There will be both an in-person and virtual format and the race will start at 10 A.M.
- Get ready for pop, rock, and a good time, with the Noise Fest at Dem Hall Ballroom. UAB and Impact 89FM will be sponsoring this event where you can see 3 bands perform live in the middle of campus. Doors open at 6:30 P.M. and music starts at 7 P.M.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting overcast skies with a high of 56 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.
Uncommitted National Movement voters splintered before election
A national movement aiming to hold the Democratic Party accountable for its compliance with the war in Gaza remained splintered before the election.
The Uncommitted National Movement is a protest campaign led by anti-war activists who initially pressured President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo in Israel. It advocated for voters to vote uncommitted in the Michigan Democratic Primaries to send a message to Biden and the Democratic Party.
The movement well surpassed its goal of 10,000 uncommitted votes in Michigan with over 100,000, making up over 13% of total votes cast.
In September, the Uncommitted National Movement announced it would not be endorsing Harris after she failed to meet the movement’s requests, while still urging uncommitted voters against supporting a Trump presidency in any way.
For those who participated in the Uncommitted National Movement’s campaign in Michigan, opinions on the presidential candidates are divided.
Many Arab American voters specifically, have taken a stance against supporting the Democratic party.
Thasin Sardar, trustee for the Islamic Center of East Lansing, proudly said he has worked for the Democratic Party in the past and still identifies as a Democrat.
“We feel disenfranchised, our voices are not being heard,” Thasin said.
When it came time for the Democratic primaries, Thasin said joining the Uncommitted National Movement was “a no-brainer” for him.
But the movement has split into many directions, he said, with some not supporting Harris and others believing her to be better than Republican candidate Donald Trump. Others have gone even further and embraced Trump, which Thasin said he disagrees with but understands.
Horticulture specialists discuss health benefits of houseplants
Houseplants can do much more than just add a touch of greenery to your space — they offer a range of health benefits, many of which are supported by research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and insight from local horticulturists.
One of the most significant advantages of indoor plants is their ability to enhance air quality. Research from the NIH indicates that houseplants can remove more than just carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, they can also filter out volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, xylene and ammonia, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.
Beyond cleaner air, indoor plants are known to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. NIH research suggests that exposure to natural elements, even indoors, aids in stress recovery and supports positive emotions, behavior and overall health.
Houseplants are also beneficial in workspaces. The NIH emphasizes that regular interaction with plants can lead to a more relaxed state and improved cognitive function. Indicating that having plants nearby can enhance focus and contribute to greater academic and professional success.
For those new to caring for houseplants, horticulture experts recommend starting with drought-tolerant varieties that can thrive in low light and humidity conditions, like Pothos or Snake Plants. For more in-depth knowledge, there will be a class here offered on campus this spring, HRT 222, a course on houseplants.
Based on original reporting by Anish Topiwala and Jessica Pruitt.
Happy Election Day!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting overcast skies with occasional rain later at night with a high of 71 degrees and a low of 51 degrees.
Kamala Harris promises to end war in Gaza, protect abortion rights at MSU rally
Vice President Kamala Harris swapped out her usual Democrat blue signage for Michigan State University’s green and white.
Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, delivered a stump speech on Sunday evening to a nearly at-capacity crowd inside Jenison Field House on MSU’s campus. In a 30-minute speech, Harris promised to end the Israel-Hamas war and defend reproductive rights while selling students on her “fight for freedom.”
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, U.S. Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin and U.S. House candidate Curtis Hertel also delivered remarks at the event. Slotkin in particular emphasized the importance of college students’ votes in this cycle and apologized for the “toxic and polarized and angry” era of politics students find themselves in.
In recent weeks, reaching voters on college campuses has become a key goal for the Harris campaign, particularly in Michigan where she and Donald Trump remain neck and neck in recent polls. Earlier this week, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, rallied in Ann Arbor, just outside of the central campus of the University of Michigan.
After a thunderous entrance to Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” Harris immediately delved into the Israel-Hamas war, delivering a series of promises that attempted to appease Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian supporters.
Harris also promised to sign a bill restoring abortion rights nationwide, which the crowd responded to with chants of “we’re not going back,” which has become one of the campaign’s most salient slogans.
Harris’ goal to rhetorically contrast herself with Trump’s reliance on fear as a motivator culminated in her closing remarks, where she embraced community-building and togetherness as an antidote to the fear that has characterized “this last decade.”
Harris’ visit, which marked her 11th trip to Michigan, came on the final day of early voting in Michigan. Claiming that “it all comes down to this,” Harris encouraged students to have their voices heard on Election Day and to encourage their friends to do the same. Only by doing that, she argued, could students secure a future with “freedom, opportunity and dignity for all Americans.”
MSU community lines up for VP Harris’ rally on campus
With the MSU community preparing for Harris’ rally at Jenison Fieldhouse on Sunday, lines stretched as far as Wells Hall to the doors of Jenison, with supporters eagerly awaiting the person they hope will be elected president today.
Two of those people, Frank Brooks and Rachel Carlson, said they were excited about Harris’ visit to campus to hear what she will say just before the election.
Rachel, who graduated from MSU in 2006, was looking forward to seeing the “first female president.”
The two described themselves as “excited” and “hopeful.”
Business and acting freshman Zachary Barker said today’s election is the first one he will vote in.
“She appeals to my generation by being open about her experiences,” Zachary said. “We both come from a middle-class family and her, as a Black woman, my mother is a Black woman, seeing what she’s accomplished, it’s very inspiring that first of my ethnicity and complexion can get to her heights of success.”
Zachary saw the rally as a place that could provide a “sense of community,” and a great opportunity.
He encourages other students to “vote for what you believe in” today.
Civil engineering freshman Marvin Den called Harris’ visit “a very, very great thing.”
“MSU has a history of a lot of people having a lot of boldness in their voices, so I feel like it’s a great opportunity for not only students to be here and see her in person, but students from other states to be here as well,” Marvin said.
MSU students, faculty worry about foreign politics in the face of the election
As almost every publication in the nation has said for weeks, the stakes couldn’t be higher in today’s presidential election. MSU students aren’t only worried about their own democracy, but politics on the world stage.
Sociology sophomore Maggie Frost said she has a lot of fears for her own agency if Trump is reelected.
“I am afraid of losing the right to my own body and my autonomy,” Maggie said. “I also am afraid of the government becoming an autocracy.”
Psychology freshman David Falade said he fears Project 2025 the most, but he also said he knows Trump “is not for him.”
And while these domestic policies seem to matter deeply to a lot of students, issues overseas may be the deciding factors of this race.
Mohammad Khalil is the director of MSU’s Muslim Studies Program and a professor of religious studies and an adjunct professor at MSU’s College of Law.
He said a significant number of Muslim constituents are not planning on voting for Harris strictly because of the current administration’s dealings with the Israel-Hamas war.
Mohammad said U.S. Muslims, including those living in the battleground state of Michigan, are engaged in serious discussions on changing the population’s longstanding record of voting blue.
MSU associate professor of comparative politics Erica Frantz specializes in a variety of topics including, but not limited to, authoritarian politics and democratization.
Erica said she believes America is in a unique position to set the standard for a high-functioning, multi-party democracy across the world.
She said this means whoever wins this presidential election will be responsible for either crafting foreign policy that de-escalates global war or puts the country in the middle of it, regarding conflicts like the Israel-Hamas war, the Russo-Ukrainian war and the Sudan Civil war, amongst others.
Based on original reporting by Emilio Perez Ibarguen, Demonte Thomas and Mallory Stiles.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day with a high of 66 degrees and a low of 63 degrees.
Student launches GoFundMe for students arrested in MSU campus protest
A GoFundMe has been set up in support of the five student protesters arrested two Friday’s ago for trespassing after they stayed in the Hannah Administration Building past closing time as part of a sit-in.
The GoFundMe, which has exceeded its goal, was organized by international relations senior Isabella Tillotson.
After the Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 25, students organized a sit-in inside the lobby of the Office of the President, reiterating their demands for the university to reconsider its position on divestment from Israel.
MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant told The State News that protesters were given “multiple notices” about the building’s closing time throughout the day as they sat in the lobby of the president’s office. The office closed at 5 p.m., and the building closed an hour later.
When protestors refused to leave the building after posted hours, they were arrested by MSU police. They were issued misdemeanor appearance citations and released from custody the same evening.
If the charges are dropped, Tillotson said GoFundMe offers a refund option to everyone who has donated.
There are other ways to help, Tillotson said, like spreading awareness about the arrests. Tillotson said it is important that students also reach out to the prosecutor’s office to ask for the charges to be dropped.
Student researchers showcase work at fast-paced Ignite Talks event
An MSU student researcher has to present their research to a crowd in five minutes with the use of only 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds.
This is the basis of Ignite Talks, a program that has spread across 350 cities and six continents since its inception in 2006. Michigan State University hosted its third event of this kind last Wednesday night.
The event, hosted by the MSU Museum, featured 10 student researchers from various colleges within MSU, all given the same constraints to present their work.
Abbie Stevens, the CoLab Studio program manager at the MSU Museum and event organizer, said the strict constraints help breed creativity.
Abbie has been the Ignite Talks MSU coordinator for all three events. She said she wants to use them as an opportunity to showcase the wide range of research happening at this university.
Preparation was key for an event like this, Abbie said. They held dress rehearsals to make the students more comfortable on stage.
The event began with Michelle Kim, a doctorate student studying computer science, who persuaded the audience to teach stereotypes to language models like ChatGPT.
She explained that language models collect data online, usually large amounts of text, to train themselves.
Stefanie Adams, a doctorate student studying physics, showed audiences it is possible to capture a video of an atom.
She explained that atoms are smaller than the intrinsic limit a light microscope can zoom into, making it unviewable to any microscope. A completely new method must be used to make an atom visible, she said.
Other presentations involved combating sleep deprivation through blue light, the population density of cats, how autism and employment coincide, collective memory in media and more.
The next Ignite Talks event will be held in the spring semester, on Jan. 16.
For members, MSU MMA Club is more than a place to throw punches
Adhering to a long-established routine, Julio Garcia combs the lurid orange mats of Room 16 at IM West with a gallon of sprayable bleach, ensuring every inch of the room is adequately cleaned before practice begins.
Julio, president of the MSU Mixed Martial Arts Club and animal science senior, arrives an hour early to each practice. He uses this time to clean, prepare equipment for use and make sure his fellow executive board members are familiar with the lesson plan.
Behind this preparation is a philosophy of discipline that Julio tries to establish at every practice, and one that’s been foundational for MSU MMA Club since day one. Upon arrival, members are expected to be dressed properly and be ready to follow instructions from the student coaches; a process not unlike the ones many MSU sports teams employ.
Practice usually begins with 10-20 minutes of warmups, which helps to prevent injury and overexertion later on. From there, coaches will transition to grappling; a form of close-quarters combat emphasizing clinch fighting, ground fighting and submission holds. They start by demonstrating the first move in a sequence, breaking it down, then having members pair up and practice it themselves.
After a few minutes of practicing, coaches then demonstrate the next move in the sequence, repeating the process until members have every piece of the puzzle.
Members are then given a couple of minutes to free grapple with their partners, allowing them to demonstrate the moves they’ve been taught in a semi-realistic fight.
The striking lesson doesn’t deviate much from this format. Following a quick shadow boxing warmup, members are once again shown a set of moves that they’ll have the opportunity to replicate with a partner. Only now, they’ll get to break out their boxing gloves and shin guards.
This is the kind of atmosphere Julio and the rest of the executive board strive to nurture at MMA Club.
Their hope is that they can create a safe, inclusive environment where people can train, whether they’re learning simple self-defense techniques or establishing an intense training regimen in preparation for future competitions. And while there is an element of violence which accompanies that, Julio continues to stress the club’s commitment to safety above all else.
While going toe-to-toe with the best college MMA athletes in the country may sound like an exciting challenge for some, it’s by no means required in order to succeed at MSU MMA Club. If there’s one thing Julio wants members to take away from the club, it’s that there’s always something to improve on.
Based on original reporting by Demonte Thomas, Anish Topiwala and Matthew Williams.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late with a high of 50 degrees and a low of 32 degrees. For the weekend it looks like sunny skies for tomorrow and rain coming in on Sunday with temps in the low to mid 50s.
MSU competes in “The We Give Blood Drive” to address blood shortage
Abbott, a medical devices and healthcare company based in Illinois, has partnered with blood provider Versiti and the Big Ten to address a national blood shortage.
A blood-donating competition called “The We Give Blood Drive” will give Michigan State and the 17 other Big Ten schools the chance to donate the most and win money towards student and community health.
The event was held at Breslin Center on Wednesday. Many students and staff at MSU showed up to take part and donate blood.
The drive brought in campus celebrities like head men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo and university President Kevin Guskiewicz, who each donated blood for the cause. Two free tickets to MSU’s upcoming football game against Indiana this Saturday were given to everyone that donated.
With the need for blood donations at its peak, the drive encourages students to step up and contribute.
More information on how to donate or to see the current leaderboard, can be found at here.
MSU partners with Bioelements Group to improve sustainable packaging
Michigan State University School of Packaging has partnered with Bioelements Group to improve sustainable packaging.
Bioelements Group, a Chilean-based company founded eight years ago, prioritizes the environment when creating packaging materials. According to its website, Bioelements creates alternative, biodegradable packaging.
Bioelements CEO and founder Ignacio Parada said, “The idea is that all of our products will break down into food for microorganisms and fungi from three to 20 months.”
Ignacio said his company has made several alliances in the past with locations worldwide, including a recent partnership with Clemson University.
He said they entered the company into the U.S. market two years ago and decided to partner with MSU because they needed a “very good alliance with a top university in the states.”
One of the materials undergoing assessment is Bio E-8i film, a plastic-based material with biodegradable components.
They anticipate this research to last six months. This combats the problems with plastic pollution since plastic takes more than 400 years to start the degradation process.
Ignacio said the struggle with plastic pollution is large in the U.S. and is the number one consumer of plastic per capita in the world.
Environmentally, biodegradable materials help in reducing carbon emissions. Changing to biodegradable materials that are produced and converted into plastics causes a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
MSU student groups mobilize Black student voters at campus event
The Black Students’ Alliance, in collaboration with MSU Vote and other student organizations, hosted the “Voices of Power Black Voter Rally” Wednesday to mobilize Black student voters.
The rally was one of several campus events held this week aimed at reaching students. This one, held near the Communications Art and Science Building, provided voter information to Black students and discussed their role in the upcoming election.
Comparatives cultures and politics senior Makayla Bolton, external president of Successful Black Women of MSU, spoke to the crowd about the historical role of voting and the obstacles many Black Americans have faced.
Bolton also reminded students that early voting is still available in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building through Nov. 3.
Human biology junior Brianna Briggs, external president of BSA, encourages people to vote early to avoid standing in line for hours on end.
Social relations and policy senior Tayler Jones, political affairs director for BSA, said her goal leading up to the election is making sure college students in the Black community know how important their role is.
Jones spoke about voter stereotypes, saying most people think Black students’ roles don’t matter or that voting doesn’t matter. This event, Jones said, shows the opposite.
She understands most people in the community don’t vote because they don’t think they will make a difference. She pushes back on this, saying that swing states like Michigan “have such a big impact because of communities like Black people.”
Based on original reporting by Jason Benedek, Anna Rossow and Demonte Thomas.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home Athletic line-up for the weekend…
Today
- Women’s Tennis will participate in the Spartan Invite today through Sunday at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center.
- Volleyball will go against Minnesota at 6 P.M. at the Breslin Center.
Tomorrow
- Football will play Indiana at 3:30 P.M. at Spartan Stadium.
Sunday
Volleyball will go against Ohio State at 12 P.M. at the Breslin Center.
Men’s Soccer will play Northwestern at 1 P.M. at Demartin Stadium.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain early then remaining cloudy with showers and windy conditions developing in the afternoon with possible thunder with a high of 69 degrees and a low of 42 degrees. I definitely suggest bringing an umbrella or rain coat if you’re planning some trick or treating later this evening as well as bundling up a bit as those temperatures will drop.
Whitmer, Hertel urge students to ‘Go green! Go white! Go vote!’
The Rock on Farm Lane read “VOTE NOW” as it welcomed Michigan State University students to come and hear from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and candidate for the U.S. House in Michigan’s 7th District Curtis Hertel Jr. on Tuesday.
Organized by MSU Democrats and The One Campaign, the event started with music and food, which were free for students who attended. Many students came due to their support of presidential candidate Kamala Harris, hoping to hear Whitmer speak on important issues in Harris’s campaign.
Arriving in a bus with their faces on the side, Whitmer and Hertel showed up soon after a crowd had gathered. A quick introduction was done by MSU Dems President Liam Richichi. Hertel then took the floor.
He talked further about the importance of the youth vote and encouraged students to come join him in marching to the Communication Arts and Sciences building where early voting polls are currently available.
After Hertel, Whitmer took hold of the megaphone and led the crowd in a “Go green! Go white! Go vote!” cheer. She thanked everyone for coming and talked about how she is impacted by and learns from students and members of Generation Z.
Whitmer boarded her bus but Hertel stayed to lead the way to ComArtSci.
Richichi saw this as an important part of the event and, like Whitmer and Hertel, emphasized the importance of the youth vote in Michigan.
MSU sends alert to “avoid area” of Shaw Lane and Farm Lane amid gas leak
Michigan State University sent an alert Tuesday afternoon instructing people to “Please avoid the area of Shaw Lane and Farm Lane due to a gas leak.”
An update sent less than a half hour after the initial alert said “East Lansing Fire Department is on scene with MSU Police and Consumer’s Energy investigating the gas leak.”
According to the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety, the leak occurred due to an accidental hit of a gas pipe by the construction crew on site. No injuries were reported from the crew and Consumers Energy were also present to assess and handle the damage and leak.
The pipe was managed and the gas leak closed off at about 2 p.m. by Consumers Energy. No subsequent traffic accidents or cases of student illness have been reported.
40 minutes after the initial alert, students living in the River Trail and Mason-Abbot-Snyder-Phillips neighborhoods received an email instructing all residents on the west side of these building’s to close windows to their dorm rooms.
CATA spokesperson Lolo Robinson said for safety concerns, all buses on campus suspended service with news about the leak and remained in place while awaiting updates. They received the all-clear at about 2 p.m., from which they resumed service as normal.
Wage reform to bring new challenges for East Lansing’s service industry
Tipping has long been an integral part of the service industry, but recent legislative action in Michigan will change that practice.
In July, lawmakers voted to phase out the tip credit system starting in 2025, eventually eliminating it in 2029, and correspondingly raise the minimum wage for tipped workers. Michigan is not the first to enact this policy. States such as California, Minnesota and Oregon have already fully removed the tip credit system.
However, local business owners and Michigan State University student service workers are concerned that this shift will negatively impact their industry.
Peanut Barrel and Crunchy’s owner Michael Krueger said these changes are “really scary” and he worries how it will affect his restaurants’ pricing models.
Michael said his staff is nervous, as a higher minimum wage means he can’t employ as many people.
For Michael, he’s not sure how restaurants like his will hold up.
“It’s going to be a significant hit to any full service restaurant,” he said. “I’m not sure that many of them will survive.”
Before we end our episode, today’s weather forecast is predicting rain early then remaining cloudy with showers and windy conditions developing in the afternoon with possible thunder with a high of 69 degrees and a low of 42 degrees. I definitely suggest bringing an umbrella or rain coat if you’re planning some trick or treating later this evening as well as bundling up a bit as those temperatures will drop.
Thank you for joining us for The State… Produced by The State News and Impact eighty-nine F-M. You can find us online at State News dot com and Impact eight-nine F-M dot org. Have a safe and fun Halloween and we’ll be back tomorrow with more.
Based on original reporting by Amelia Fraser, Shealyn Paulis, Owen McCarthy and Lauren Coin.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting sunshine and clouds mixed with a high of 78 degrees and a low of 65 degrees.
Early voting rally aims to engage MSU students one week out from the election
With Election Day just a week away, an early voting rally was held in People’s Park near Wells Hall and the International Center on Monday, engaging with students on the importance of voting.
The event included food trucks, a DJ booth, Zeke the Wonder Dog and performances from the Spartan Dischords along with multiple tables meant to educate students on voting initiatives and ways to make a voting plan come Election Day.
Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum spoke at the event, telling students to engage in early voting.
Early voting locations in East Lansing include WKAR’s Studio B early voting center located in the Communications Art and Science building and the Hannah Community Center.
Byrum encourages not only students, but everyone to make a plan in regard to voting on Election Day.
Regarding any questions surrounding the election, Byrum encourages those with questions to contact their local clerk rather than rely on the Internet for answers.
Dominique Stepp, program manager of One Love Global, a community-based organization based in Lansing and Detroit that focuses on racial equity, said she and the organization’s members were present at the rally to push students and young people to go to the polls.
Offering advice to students, Stepp encourages those who plan to vote to do their own research regarding candidates from both political parties, information regarding polling locations and make their own decisions leading up to Election Day.
MSU reinforces enrollment policy after three-year pause
With the beginning of the 2024 academic year, Michigan State University has started reinforcing its disenrollment policy. The policy says a student’s enrollment may be canceled by MSU due to lack of payment or academic recess, among other factors.
The re-establishment of the policy comes after a three-year period of it not being enforced. Since the introduction of the new Student Information System in 2021, the practice of canceling enrollment because of nonpayment was paused for several years.
MSU made that decision to avoid confusion or difficulty for students and administration using the new Student Information System.
So for the past three years, students with unpaid balances would accrue fees but were not threatened with the cancellation of their enrollment. During that time, however, the policy remained unchanged and was just not enforced, according the Office of the Controller.
It is now being enforced once more.
The official policy states that “A student’s enrollment may be administratively canceled due to nonpayment of fees, non-attendance, academic recess, or dismissal.”
This means students with unpaid balances risk the cancellation of their enrollment.
Since the renewal of the protocol enforcement, the Office of the Controller reports it has not seen many students affected by the change.
While the policy remains unchanged on paper, its enforcement is a shift in MSU’s approach to managing student accounts. Students can view the details of this policy in the Academic Programs Catalog to avoid any disruptions to their enrollment status.
MSU students bring Holmes Hall to life at interactive Halloween celebration
The Haunted Holmes Halloween event at Michigan State University transformed Holmes Hall into a spooky destination last Thursday night, inviting students and community members to explore a night filled with thrills, chills and festive activities.
The evening featured an assortment of activities, including a haunted hallway, costume contest, pumpkin decorating stations and themed foods. The pumpkin carving stations provided all the necessary tools and supplies, allowing attendees to express their artistic flair while enjoying the company of peers.
In addition to these activities, the event offered a selection of seasonal treats like apple cider and donuts. Tables were set up for students to enjoy their snacks while socializing and participating in pumpkin decorating.
This event was orchestrated by over 30 staff members, who are also resident assistants (RA).
While this event may not be regularly occurring, its attendance was robust. Of the hundreds of students who participated, many said the highlights were the welcoming atmosphere and the variety of activities that catered to different interests.
Based on original reporting by Demonte Thomas, Shealyn Paulis and Anna Layden.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies in the morning which will give way to cloudy skies for the afternoon with a high of 75 degrees and a low of 60 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be cloudy with a good chance of rain showers all throughout with temps in the higher 60s and lower 70s.
Men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo charms at annual public service forum
The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as well as civil rights leader and former congressman John Lewis are all members of an elite group of public figures who have been widely recognized for the roles they played in shaping the world as we know it.
On Tuesday night, this group opened its doors to Michigan State University men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo.
Izzo was former Gov. Jim Blanchard’s honorary guest at this year’s Jim Blanchard Public Service Forum, an annual event hosted by the College of Social Science that aims to allow students to hear from leaders in politics, entertainment and other fields.
Sitting where esteemed statesmen and authors have once sat, Izzo fielded a variety of questions from Gov. Blanchard that touched on his upbringing in Iron Mountain, MI, his reaction to his son, Steven’s, first career point as well as his opinion on the recent expansion of the Big Ten conference.
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz also spoke briefly at the event, commending Izzo’s role not just as a coach but as a campus leader. Also in attendance were trustees Diane Byrum and Kelly Tebay as well as state representative Julie Brixie.
The conversation opened with Blanchard asking Izzo if while growing up, he ever imagined that one day he’d be a hall-of-fame, nationally recognized basketball coach at MSU. Immediately seeing the chance to crack a joke and ease the tension in the room, Izzo pounced.
The rest of the night’s conversation followed a familiar pattern, with Blanchard asking Izzo about various personal and professional moments throughout his life and Izzo responding genuinely, but never missing out on an opportunity to make the crowd laugh.
Reflecting on his son’s time on MSU’s basketball team, Izzo recalled Steven’s first weightlifting session with the team where he threw up from pushing himself so hard. Importantly, Izzo points out, everyone in the weight room was encouraging and “pulling for” Steven.
Flashing forward to Steven’s senior night against Rutgers, Izzo recalled the feeling of watching his son, who virtually never played unless the team was “30 ahead, 30 behind, or there’s 30 seconds left,” score in front of a packed Breslin Center.
As the conversation reached its end, Blanchard took the opportunity to ask Izzo about his thoughts on the recent expansion of the Big Ten conference. This year, the universities of Oregon, Washington, Southern California and California, Los Angeles, joined the conference, bringing the total number of schools to 18.
Despite the potential for longer journeys for student-athletes, Izzo said, the expansion brings a lot of benefits, particularly when it comes to recruiting. With an expanded conference comes more opportunities for student-athletes to play in front of large audiences in Seattle and Los Angeles. For students on the fence about committing to MSU, Izzo said, the promise of greater exposure in the Big Ten can help push them towards playing here.
City Rescue Mission expands outreach with new homeless shelter
Since the pandemic, homeless shelters in Lansing have been grappling with overcrowding as more individuals find themselves without homes.
Laura Grimwood, the community outreach director of City Rescue Mission, emphasized that shelters across the area have been struggling to accommodate the rising number of people in need of assistance.
To address this, City Rescue Mission recently broke ground on a new homeless shelter in the 400 block of Kalamazoo Avenue. According to Laura, the facility is expected to open by late spring 2025 and will become one of the largest shelters in the Mid-Michigan region.
City Rescue Mission is a key provider for Lansing’s homeless population, operating three different facilities that offer housing, support services, and essential supplies. Last year, the organization served approximately 244 individuals each night. This year, Laura predicts that number will rise even further, exacerbating the strain on existing resources.
These growing numbers are becoming an issue for shelters who struggle to find space to house them all, she said. Even when they manage to find space, with such a high influx of people, shelters aren’t able to spend time with each individual to assess their needs and struggles. This ongoing struggle to meet the needs of the unhoused community prompted City Rescue Mission to seek ways to expand its services.
Thanks to a combination of loans, grants and community donations, City Rescue Mission was able to secure funding for the project. Once completed, the new shelter will effectively double the services they can provide, offering much-needed relief for the area’s unhoused population.
Renovations are already underway, and while there’s still a long way to go, Laura is optimistic about the progress.
The relocation, which is expected to take place toward the end of construction, will be a significant undertaking. City Rescue Mission’s current men’s shelter, established in 1948, has accumulated decades of history, artifacts and personal touches that will need to be transferred to the new space.
Fortunately, local organizations and businesses have stepped up to offer assistance. College Hunks, a moving company that specializes in providing support during transitions, has volunteered to help with the move, ensuring a smoother transition to the new shelter.
One feature that sets the new shelter apart from others is its planned hours of operation. Unlike traditional shelters, which typically close during the day, the new City Rescue Mission facility will be open 24 hours a day, allowing individuals to stay both day and night.
Another significant change will be the consolidation of services for single individuals. Currently, City Rescue Mission’s Women and Children’s shelter on South Cedar houses both single women and women with children, while their men’s shelter on Michigan Avenue houses single men. Once the new facility is open, both single men and women will be relocated to the new shelter, freeing up space in the existing locations.
Overall, for Laura, the project is a testament to the compassion and generosity of the Lansing community.
Based on original reporting by Emilio Perez Ibarguen and Gabrielle Yeary.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU Athletic line-up for the weekend…
Tomorrow
- Football will go up against Ohio State at 7 P.M. at Spartan Stadium.
Sunday
- Women’s Soccer will play Rutgers at 12 P.M. at DeMartin Stadium.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies with a high of 76 degrees and a low of 52 degrees.
How MSU’s faculty record-keeping of Nassar delayed scrutiny
Text messages were deleted. Investigatory files went missing. Documents were withheld.
When state investigators requested records detailing Michigan State University’s handling of Larry Nassar, many didn’t realize that they weren’t being given the full story.
Thousands of recently released documents reveal that the university’s records-keeping, when it was needed the most, was laden with mistakes.
A former university president admitted she deleted personal text messages when an investigation required a probe of her phone. Nine investigatory files needed by an outside Title IX attorney went missing for months because a department didn’t organize its files.
And the very documents that reveal these missteps? MSU refused to hand them over to Attorney General Dana Nessel for years, delaying her investigation into Nassar and prolonging survivors’ hope of accountability.
Nessel concluded her investigation less than two weeks ago, saying the thousands of documents about MSU’s handling of Nassar contained information that was “embarrassing” for the university, but not “incriminating.”
What was clear, Nessel argued, is that MSU wrongly withheld the documents for years.
Relating to attorney-client privilege, MSU has long said the documents are subject to this which protects communications between a lawyer and their client from being publicly released.
Many of the documents outlined the university’s communications strategy, not legal conversations. Others were shown not to be privileged by their own authors’ admission.
The university’s withholding of the thousands of documents related to its handling of Nassar has been a source of controversy for years. The decision inspired a lawsuit and continual pleas from survivors.
Throughout it all, MSU defended its withholding of the records.
Nessel completed her investigation and publicly released the documents nearly two weeks ago. But the move, not unlike MSU’s record-keeping, didn’t go smoothly.
Nessel’s office had to temporarily remove access to some of the documents days after releasing them to the public, because the office didn’t fully redact names and information about survivors in them. But even after the documents’ release, some survivors’ names remain unredacted.
MSU women’s hockey frustrated by lack of support from MSU
The MSU women’s hockey season will officially start the first week of October, but the ACHA Division I team isn’t considered a club at MSU.
It applied to be a club and got denied, so the members that make up the organization are in charge of their own funding for buses, hotels, uniforms and ice time for practice.
Most of the teams in the Central Collegiate Women’s Hockey Association, or CCWHA, such as Michigan and Indiana Tech, are funded by their respective universities. Michigan State’s team is on its own despite being located in Michigan, one of hockey’s biggest hotspots around the world.
The players attribute the lack of funding to a shortage of team recognition around campus.
The women also said they don’t receive any of the accommodations the men do.
In 2022, Munn Ice Arena underwent renovations to its weight room, shooting stations, player’s lounge, training area and coach offices. The women’s team isn’t allowed to use any of those new additions.
The team doesn’t just want support from MSU athletics, but the student body itself.
This winter, the team looks to win its fourth CCWHA championship, its first since 2013. The first game of its season is slated for Oct. 4 against Miami of Ohio. MSU’s home opener is Oct. 6 against Grand Valley State at 3:30 p.m.
Best ways to celebrate fall, according to MSU students
September is in full swing, bringing chilly mornings and crisp air with it. The arrival of September marks the beginning of fall, a season beloved by many Michigan State University students.
From cider mills to haunted houses, fall offers an abundance of fun activities for individuals to enjoy and celebrate all around Michigan.
Advertising management junior Kaitlyn Beckwith said her favorite fall activity in Michigan consists of two things, including cider mills and eating cider donuts.
It’s important to remember that fall can be celebrated on MSU’s campus as well. Kaitlyn said her favorite fall activity on campus is enjoying the natural beauty the season has to offer.
With many fall events, both on and off campus, to choose from and attend, it may be hard for students to decide where they want to visit first. It just takes a little research and a bit of adventuring out for some fall fun.
Based on original reporting by Theo Scheer, Jason Benedek, and Amy Cho.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with a high of 72 degrees and a low of 54 degrees.
MSU lawyers attempted to quash legislation expected to inflate settlement with Nassar survivors, documents reveal
As questions swirled around MSU’s role in protecting Larry Nassar’s abuse, the university sent a representative to meet with one particularly concerned state lawmaker.
In that meeting, Sen. Margaret O’Brien made it clear she was “very disappointed in MSU,” but wanted ideas on how to improve the law to better prevent a repeat of the Nassar scandal, wrote MSU’s then-liaison to the state government David Bertram in a December 2017 email.
But what may have started as cooperation quickly turned into covert maneuvering to quash several of the bills’ momentum, which MSU believed would further inflate the already mounting cost of a settlement with survivors.
Internal communications between university lawyers — among thousands of long-secret MSU documents released by Michigan’s attorney general last week — reveal the lengths MSU went to stop O’Brien’s bill package.
The bills were a “direct assault” on MSU’s legal defense, one attorney wrote. If passed, “all of our settlement leverage disappears,” another fretted.
MSU’s lawyers closely analyzed the bills and considered appealing them if they were passed as proposed. They also realized they would need to find “proxies” to publicly “fight” the battle on MSU’s behalf, anticipating backlash if the university itself were to oppose the bills.
But they struggled to do so, especially when looking for influential politicians in the state legislature who would be willing to “get in front of the train” during an election year.
Many of the bills — which extended the time survivors could sue over past abuse and limited governmental immunity, among other things — still ended up passing, but with scaled-back provisions, thanks partly to MSU’s behind-the-scenes advocacy.
Students brought together by bow and arrow
For college kids, student organizations are a way to pursue various passions and connect with others while doing so.
The Michigan State Archery Club echoes this idea in its fullness, providing a space for students who enjoy archery, or even those who are new to the sport to connect with others, improve their craft and compete against some of the best archery talent in the nation.
Every Sunday, the club meets at Demmer Shooting Sports and Education Center on campus for target practice. There, members of the club shoot and learn from those around them while getting to know their peers with similar interests.
To join the club, members don’t need any prior experience in archery. The goal isn’t just to hone one’s archery skills, but to provide a community surrounded by the sport.
But for many members, they have spent a majority of their lives competing in or practicing archery and the club allows them to continue on a path they’re passionate about while also helping those with less experience.
Archery is often swept under the rug amongst the vast world of sports. However, members of the archery club believe the sport is misrepresented in the world of sports.
Though not an official MSU athletic team, the club has given students the opportunity to face some of the top talent in the country.
Competitive in its craft and welcoming in community, the MSU archery club is a safe space for students, archers or not, to meet new friends and maybe gain a new hobby.
First annual Lansing Lit steals the hearts of bookworms
From last Friday morning to Sunday afternoon, Lansing’s literary hidden gems came alive collectively to highlight their vibrant community during the first annual Lansing Lit Festival. From REO Town’s Wayfaring Booksellers to the college cult classic, Curious Book Shop, 13 different locations opened their hearts and doors to book lovers and writers alike to join in on the fun.
The event kicked off at East Lansing’s very own Hooked, where co-owner and MSU Political Scientist Matt Grossman launched his very own book “Polarized by Degrees” to a crowd.
From there, guests embarked on a variety of activities, allowing them to “choose their own adventure” across Lansing’s literary landscape.
Some locations, like Schuler Books Okemos, hosted activities designed for children to engage with books and foster a love for literature. Others catered to more mature audiences, such as The Robin Books, which held a poetry publication workshop for aspiring poets, providing guidance on advancing their careers, said The Robin Books owner Dylan Rogers.
The origins of Lansing Lit trace back to 2021 when Rogers, founder of The Poetry Room Masaki Takahashi and other local bookstores used poetry events and author readings to raise funds for local libraries to expand their poetry collections.
One exciting element that set this year’s Lansing Lit apart from past literary events was the introduction of the Lansing Book Crawl.
For each transaction made at one of the 13 participating locations, attendees received a stamp on their Book Crawl Passport. After collecting stamps from all locations, they could redeem their passport at Hooked or Wayfaring Booksellers for a special Lansing Lit book tote.
Events like this provide a platform for people to grow and connect, Rogers said. It isn’t about just raising money for these shops, it’s about raising awareness for local talent. Lansing Lit bridges the gap between what writers and readers want to be and what they can become.
Based on original reporting by Owen McCarthy, Theo Scheer, Douglas Doty, and Gabrielle Yeary.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon with a high of 69 degrees and a low of 59 degrees.’
MSU student political organizations mobilize students for Election Day
With less than 50 days to go until the highly anticipated Election Day, political organizations on MSU’s campus are getting to work.
MSU Vote, MSU College Democrats and MSU College Republicans are making sure students are registered to vote and have the knowledge they need heading into the voting booth.
MSU Vote, which is a nonpartisan student initiative, aims to increase student voter registration and inform students about upcoming elections, voter registration, and voter knowledge heading into the election.
Its main motto: “Go Green, Go White, Go Vote.”
The organization also launched a new website this semester structured around three main initiative points: getting registered, making a plan and being informed.
This website also has voter guides equipped to provide students with voting information based on the state a student selects on the site.
Students who plan to vote in Michigan can find their city clerk using the Secretary of State’s “Find My Clerk” system.
Michigan Waterways Stewards hosts river trail clean-up
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, the weather was cloudy and a fog had set around Potter Park Zoo, but this didn’t stop the gathering of volunteers from the community, ready to clean the Red Cedar River Trail.
The event, was more than just volunteering. Attendees were given a free day pass to Potter Park Zoo and a picnic, making the experience fun for everybody.
The project first began in November 2022, when they partnered with a local railroad company and cleared out the 10-year collection of trees and logs under a bridge. Since then, the project has taken off, and with every effort the clearing becomes easier.
The zoo aims to keep the area clean by adding pollinator gardens and disposing of all animal waste properly so it won’t feed into the river. Along with the cleanup, park beautification events at Cherry Hill Park and Kruger’s Landing were taking place.
Members of the community were handed trash pickers and trash bags before being sent to assist in the effort.
ASL Club seeks to provide welcoming environment of learning, advocacy
One year ago, senior Ellyn Skodack switched her major to communicative sciences and disorders. In making this transition she decided that she wanted to learn American Sign Language, or ASL, a skill she thought would be useful for her future career.
When she looked into classes and clubs, however, there were none to be found at Michigan State University.
Now, the ASL Club holds weekly meetings and provides a space for ASL learners to come together, practice and build community. Because there are no classes on campus, the club attracts a lot of new learners.
Some of the members of the e-board are beginners themselves and they learn alongside the club members as they go through mini-lessons and play games that help them practice.
Despite the club teaching at a beginner level, there is also space provided for those who are fluent to participate in advocacy as well as teach fellow members.
The club primarily uses videos and lessons from the Oklahoma School for the Deaf to learn together, but with a larger club membership this year they have been able to line up guest teachers.
Members with more experience also come to the club in an effort to advocate for more ASL resources and more visibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community on campus.
This past March, ASMSU passed a bill that advocated for the inclusion of ASL classes at MSU.
So while waiting for these classes to become available, this low-maintenance atmosphere is purposeful and fun for anyone interested in ASL.
Based on original reporting by Demonte Thomas, Anna Barnes and Hannah Locke.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mainly sunny skies with a high of 83 degrees and a low of 59 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be intervals of clouds and sunshine with temps in the mid 80’s.
Wharton Center hosts open rehearsal, previews upcoming production ‘In Pieces’
On Tuesday morning, in the Wharton Center for Performing Arts’s Pasant Theater, cast and crew members gathered to continue putting the finishing touches on “In Pieces,” a new musical production set to open today.
This production is being put on through the New Musical Laboratory, a collaboration between the Wharton Center and Michigan State University’s Department of Theater.
This partnership seeks to support new musicals by bringing professionals in the theater industry to East Lansing to collaborate with students and put on a never-before-seen production with just three weeks of rehearsals.
The New Musical Laboratory process begins with the selection of the year’s production. In October of last year, “In Pieces” was selected out of 118 submissions by a committee of faculty members, students and Wharton Center representatives.
A central element of the New Musical Laboratory is the collaboration between Broadway professionals and MSU students.
The connections that the Wharton Center has to the Broadway and theater industry allows them to bring in professionals to work with students in the Department of Theater and the writers of these new productions.
The cast of “In Pieces” is made up of 10 MSU student actors as well as two professional actors, Julian Diaz-Granados and Stephanie Torns. The show is also guest-directed by professional director Emily Maltby.
Back-to-back national champion MSU club dodgeball hungry for more success
Over the past two years, one of the biggest success stories at Michigan State has gone unnoticed.
The MSU club men’s dodgeball team is reigning back-to-back National Collegiate Dodgeball Association, or NCDA, national champions. The women’s team has had recent success as well, finishing as the runner-up in the NCDA last season after losing to Akron in the national final.
MSU has arguably the best club dodgeball programs in the country. The players, who have earned the accolades without equal recognition, only want to do one thing: win.
Although a club sport, players say dodgeball is just as competitive as other sports on campus, if not more so. The men’s “Pinch” team has only 18 starting roster spots, and the women’s team only has eight. The Dodgeball Club as a whole is 80 members total, making it difficult to earn a traveling spot with the team.
Players and coaches said many fail to realize how dynamic the game of dodgeball is. It’s similar to other sports with its emphasis on offensive and defensive strategies and formations, and the team watches film to study its opponents.
The Spartans have become one of the most dominant college club dodgeball teams in the nation over the past year. The team’s first championship season in 2023 didn’t include a single loss; it is one of the best single-season performances in the history of college club dodgeball.
The second championship, this year, was won in dominant fashion, but with a tougher task. Every team had a target on MSU’s back, players said, especially Grand Valley State which is the most decorated college dodgeball team in the nation.
With such an intense and electric sport to be showcased, players and coaches said the MSU club dodgeball team deserves greater recognition.
Based on original reporting by Hannah Locke and Jason Benedek.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Today
- Women’s Soccer will play Nebraska at 6 P.M. at DeMartin Stadium.
Sunday
- Women’s Golf will compete in the Mary Fossum Invite at Forest Akers West Golf Course.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy with a high of 84 degrees and a low of 56 degrees.
Excess of students causes overcrowding in MSU dorms
This fall, some of MSU’s incoming freshmen got more than they signed up for.
Hundreds of students living in Akers, Hubbard and Wilson Halls were put with transitional student roommates at the start of the year. This meant their dorm space, which typically holds two people, had to suddenly accommodate three. The squeeze put stress not only on the transitional students but on the unsuspecting roommates as well.
The issue stems from the overlapping processes of accepting students and estimating how many of them will be living in the dorms, while students are also choosing where to attend.
MSU typically sets overall targets for the amount of first-year students and transfer students it recruits. But Vice Provost of Enrollment and Academic Strategic Planning Dave Weatherspoon said that when it comes to transfer students, MSU assumes that their needs for dorm rooms may not be as high.
Additionally, the closure of Campbell Hall for renovations and FAFSA delays meant that not only was there less space, but it was also unclear how many students would be enrolling for the fall.
Since move-in, MSU’s housing services have met backlash from students and parents alike, who say they were not aware of the situation or believe it is unfair, said associate communication’s director for Residence Education and Housing Services Bethany Balks said.
Students who are in transitional housing will also have to move again during the school year. The process has already started, Balks said, with over 500 transitional housing assignments at the start of the semester now being under 300.
Balks said students can put in a maintenance request for assistance in moving their belongings to their new space. If MSU keeps breaking down transitional rooms at this rate, Balks said they expect to be done by the start of the coming spring semester.
MSU Observatory hosted International Observe the Moon Night
The MSU Observatory hosted a public observing night in celebration of International Observe the Moon Night this past Saturday.
To mark the occasion, the observatory opened longer than usual and offered more hands-on activities for kids. Moving forward, there will only be two more public observing nights until it closes for the winter.
Students and community members were able to tour and receive a brief history of the observatory as they made their way to the dome. Every 15 minutes, groups looked through the 24-inch telescope to see the waxing gibbous moon in the night sky.
While waiting for their tour rotations, groups used several smaller telescopes outside of the observatory.
Although the observatory won’t be hosting events during the winter, people can take advantage of the at-home tools the observatory provides, like binoculars and telescopes, to observe the night sky whenever they want.
The life of an MSU cheerleader
At Michigan State sporting events, the athletes on the field, court, rink or track are the focus. But what about the athletes on the sideline?
The MSU Cheerleading team is known for its familiar chants and crowd engagement. But behind the high kicks, big stunts and chants are student-athletes who work long hours to represent MSU.
For finance senior Nick McDonald, joining the cheer team was initially for a pastime but quickly turned into much more.
As student-athletes, the cheerleaders must balance cheer life with work and school. Practices are five days a week during football season and four days a week during basketball season.
Home games are not the only events where MSU cheerleaders perform. They travel for away games as well.
The MSU Cheerleading team is a family, Nick said, and he views his time on the team with great memories.
So, when attending an MSU football or basketball game, don’t miss the MSU cheerleaders chanting “Go, Green, Go, White.”
Based on original reporting by Anna Layden, Somer Sodeman and Jania Clowers.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mainly sunny skies with a high of 83 degrees and a low of 56 degrees.
MSU Veterinary Medical Center hosts Big Babies 5k run
Fueled by a shared sense of purpose, hundreds of runners and their dogs gathered at the Big Babies 5K starting line on MSU’s campus Sunday, ready to take off.
The Big Babies 5K is an annual tradition for the MSU Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine. The race was established in 2015 to honor Annie Kullmann, a large animal resident who passed away.
The money raised through the event goes toward funding treatment for young animals at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center. The money collected in the Big Babies Fund goes toward helping young horses, goats, alpacas and more to get the care they need.
At 9 a.m., the runners eagerly set off in the quad between Akers and Hubbard Hall to run on the course along the Red Cedar River. Some runners were accompanied by their dogs, which were allowed to run alongside them.
The runners completed the course along the Red Cedar, turning around at the Sparty Statue before the final stretch.
As spectators eagerly awaited the runners, the first-place winner crossed the finish line in just 16 minutes. Each racer was greeted by a staff member, who rang cowbells to congratulate them and handed out medals based on their placement in the 5K.
Democratic VP nominee Tim Walz speaks to supporters in East Lansing
As a part of his visit to mid-Michigan, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke to students and supporters in East Lansing Friday afternoon.
Following a campaign stop Thursday in Grand Rapids, Walz touched down at Capital Region International Airport just before noon Friday.
Shortly after landing, Walz entered his motorcade and traveled to The Graduate hotel in downtown East Lansing, across the street from Michigan State University. There, he addressed an at-capacity crowd of supporters.
In his remarks, Walz stressed the importance of protecting reproductive rights and getting people on college campuses to vote. He also brought up Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent debate performance, framing her success in opposition to those who doubted her ability to perform against Donald Trump.
Is the student section line an issue at MSU football games?
When Michigan State football played Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30, inclement weather caused a delay in the scheduled stadium entry.
Many aren’t aware that it caused complete mayhem in the student section line.
Some students didn’t get into the stadium until after halftime. Some couldn’t find seating in the student section, which they paid for.
MSU Police Department Officer Aaron Schroeder said the chaos that occurred Aug. 30 was a “one-off” situation.
With the help of new policies for the student section line, Schroeder said, there were hopes for a smoother process for Michigan State’s second home game of the season this past Saturday, when the Spartans played Prairie View A&M.
This season, the university implemented more metal detectors and gates for students to pass through, making for a faster process for students entering the stadium.
Though the new policies were in place, there were still issues at the game on Saturday.
Students were let in at 1:30 pm, two hours before kickoff. At its worst, the student section line wrapped around the STEM building and the last person in line was outside the front of the Central Services building.
The game started at 3:30 p.m., which had an attendance of over 70,000. Though thousands of students were let in within the first hour, more started to get in line and it began to move slower.
Students said getting in line before 2:30 p.m., the wait was upwards of 15 minutes. After that, students were waiting in line for upwards of 45 minutes.
This begs the question: does the university have ineffective policies for student section lines, or is the problem that students are getting in line too late?
Overall, there are more students going to MSU football games than last year and at the end of the year before.
Students will need to be aware of the possibility that the university may have oversold student section tickets, not expecting so many students to attend games.
At the game Saturday, herds of students left the game before the first quarter ended, most of them saying they couldn’t find a seat and it was too crowded in the student section.
Michigan State’s next home game is against Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 28. Students who show up closer to kickoff may find it difficult to earn a seat, and many may not make it into the stadium until after the game starts.
Based on original reporting by Anna Layden, Emilio Perez Ibarguen and PJ Pfeiffer.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mainly sunny skies with a high of 85 degrees and a low of 53 degrees.
Truck strikes pedestrian, crashes into Curious Book Shop, flees scene
A pedestrian was struck by a car outside the Curious Book Shop on Grand River Avenue last Thursday afternoon.
Psychology sophomore Amanda Bond said she was walking with a friend to get food at Raising Canes when they witnessed a black GMC truck rear-end a car on Grand River Ave. Afterwards, Bond said, the pickup truck drove off the road and across the sidewalk, ripping a bench off the sidewalk in the process, before stopping inches from the store’s front entrance.
As the driver accelerated, they hit a pedestrian that was standing behind a bench, running over both the bench and the person, leaving the pedestrian pinned under it.
Bond recalls the driver getting out of the car to ask if the pedestrian was okay, hit her vape and then went into the bookstore. After stepping back outside for a brief moment, the driver went back into the book store where she exited the back, fleeing the scene.
After the suspect fled the scene, crowds of students and people gathered around the scene taking photos and videos.
Bookshop employee Casey Holland said she heard the sound of a car being rear-ended outside, followed by screaming.
Holland said the driver then got out of her car, entered the store and asked to call 911. After the call failed to go through, she went outside again, then re-entered the store before she ran out the back door.
This accident remains under investigation at this time.
MSU president says Nassar docs are an opportunity to learn from the past
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz said the conclusion of Attorney General Dana Nessel’s investigation into ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar is an opportunity “to continue reflecting on our past, learning from it and building a safer, more accountable institution for the future.”
Guskiewicz, in a statement released this past Friday afternoon, acknowledged survivors’ pain and said their courage “has brought about critical reflection and growth within our institution.”
“While the investigation did not uncover new information, it is important to acknowledge that the findings still underscore the profound effect this chapter has had on our community — especially for the survivors and their families,” Guskiewicz wrote. “We acknowledge that for some, the hurt and harm caused continue, and we must remain vigilant in ensuring a system that doesn’t allow for such acts to occur again.”
Nessel closed her investigation into Nassar on Wednesday, saying the 6,000 recently released documents related to MSU’s handling of Nassar contained information that was “embarrassing” for the university, but not incriminating.
Nessel said MSU delayed the investigation for years by improperly withholding the documents. The university defended its controversial, years-long decision not to release the documents to Nessel due to attorney-client privilege in a statement Wednesday, maintaining it was “appropriate.”
Guskiewicz said the university “has taken significant steps to improve our relationship violence and sexual misconduct policies” over the past six years, but acknowledged that there is “still more work ahead of us.”
Six athletes, two teams inducted into MSU Hall of Fame
Playing a Division I sport is a badge of honor someone carries with them forever. Being recognized as an all-time great by their alma mater is something even more special.
Michigan State Athletics held a ceremony inducting six former Spartan athletes and the 1965 and 1966 MSU football teams into its Hall of Fame, revealing plaques in the Clara Bell Smith Academic Center last Friday.
The former MSU athletes that were inducted included women’s golfer Laura Smith, track and field athletes Beth Saylor and Paul Terek, softball pitcher Jessica Bograkos, MSU hockey’s Anson Carter and football defensive back Darqueze Dennard.
Based on original reporting by Emilio Perez Ibarguen, Somer Sodeman, Theo Scheer, and Madilynn Warden.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting plentiful sunshine with a high of 86 degrees and a low of 59 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be sunshine and clouds mixed all throughout and temps in the lower to mid-80s.
MSU Athletic Department hosts 9/11 tribute workout
On Wednesday, Michigan State University students, staff, and faculty, alongside East Lansing first responders, came together to pay tribute to the first responders that lost their lives answering the call following the September 11th attacks.
Pushing a resistance sled one yard for each live lost, physical workout tributes like this are common among first responder circles to pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Hosted by MSU’s Athletic Department, the tribute gathered around 45 participants from across campus and East Lansing to contribute to the 2,977 yards required to meet the goal of one yard per life lost on 9/11.
Invites were also extended to first responders from the East Lansing area. Dressed in their protective gear, firefighters from the East Lansing Fire Department took part as an acknowledgment to the firefighters who climbed the thousands of steps of the World Trade Center before its collapsed, with the hopes of finding and freeing survivors.
How businesses navigate cyclical nature of East Lansing
Every summer, Michigan State University students vacate the usually busy downtown of East Lansing and return by the thousands a few months later for the back-to-school rush. These cycles are a fact of life in a college town, but how do these patterns affect local storefronts and restaurants that remain here year-round?
Campbell’s Market Basket owner Ken Campbell said his business is “very much directly impacted by Michigan State” and the grocery store sees nearly a 50% increase in sales between the summer and fall months.
Ken said the clientele in the summer relies heavily on local East Lansing residents, families, and full-time faculty and staff.
This sudden rush in customers dictates inventory needs as well.
Rally House senior store manager Zach Hiscock said that the start of a new year coupled with football season means sales at the popular sportswear store increase dramatically when students move in.
One unique challenge that comes from running a college town business is navigating the age gap between managers and employees, Zach said.
Cottage Inn franchise owner George Hoover said he works at his eatery six nights a week so that he can enjoy his favorite part of the business: the customers.
George added that it’s important for local businesses to become a fixture not just within the student population, but also with long-term residents.
MSU and Boston College to honor 9/11 hero in football matchup Sept. 21
The upcoming football game between Michigan State and Boston College, scheduled for next Saturday, Sept. 21, will carry on a tradition with a much greater purpose than a regular football game.
This will be what’s known as the “Red Bandana” game at Alumni Stadium, which includes an annual tradition honoring fallen 9/11 hero Welles Crowther. (CROW”d”-thr)
Boston College players will wear special red bandana-themed uniforms with the words “For Welles” written across the back. Before the game, there will be a moment of silence held for Welles and all victims of the 9/11 attacks.
The game was also moved from its original time of 3:30 p.m. to the primetime slot of 8:00 p.m., where it will be nationally televised.
Welles Crowther was a former Boston College lacrosse player who always wore a red bandana his father gave him when he was six years old. After his college lacrosse career, Welles went on to work as an equities trader at the World Trade Center.
Despite having the opportunity to escape the building and save his own life, Welles wouldn’t leave until he could save as many people as possible, helping dozens of people escape before ultimately losing his own life when the building collapsed.
As the Michigan State and Boston College teams take the field under the lights, this game will be more than just a matchup between two storied programs; it will be a tribute to a hero whose legacy transcends sports.
Based on original reporting by Brendan Mullin, Lauren Coin and Jason Benedek.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU Athletic line-up for the weekend…
Today
- Cross Country will compete in the Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational.
- Men’s Soccer will play in the Big Ten Home Opener and Alumni Day against Washington at 7 P.M. at DeMartin Stadium.
Tomorrow
- Football will go up against Prairie View A&M at 3:30 P.M. at Spartan Stadium.
Sunday
- Field Hockey will vs. Colgate at 11 A.M. at Ralph Young Field.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting sunny skies with a high of 86 degrees and a low of 60 degrees.
‘Survivor’ fans at MSU recreate reality TV competition show on campus
On Sunday night, MSU students in the Fogo tribe gathered behind Erickson Hall to participate in a tribal council ceremony similar to one they watch on TV each week. As the glow of six torches illuminated the players’ faces, host Ava Ballagh echoed Jeff Probst’s classic speech.
Ballagh’s speech is recognizable to all fans of the reality TV competition show “Survivor.” In the show, contestants participate in challenges and weather the wilderness in hopes of being the sole survivor and winner of the prize. Voting each other out along the way, the game requires social strategy.
Here at MSU, students have created their own version of the game — something that is close to an obsession for many members.
Ballagh had no idea there was an MSU club dedicated to recreating and playing “Survivor” until the club followed her on Instagram her sophomore year. It was that same night in December that she decided to apply.
Since then, Ballagh competed in season two, became an executive producer for season three and has now hosted the past two seasons.
Although the campus version of this game doesn’t involve starving on an island and building their own shelters, the games are still seen to be quite challenging.
Ballagh can’t imagine a future where she isn’t involved in Survivor MSU. So she plans to find or create another community where she can get her fix after she graduates. She sees this experience influencing her future career goals.
Rich Homie Quan, dead at 34, leaves footprint at MSU
Rapper Dequantes Devontay Lamar, better known as Rich Homie Quan, passed away last Thursday, Sept. 5 at age 34, his cause of death still unknown.
The creator of the Michigan State Football 2014 Rose Bowl team’s celebration song, “Type of Way,” became a staple of Spartan football culture after former MSU defensive back Darqueze Dennard introduced the team to his music and videos of players dancing to the song went viral.
On the Spartans’ journey to a Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl title, the song was the common denominator in postgame locker rooms.
It reached the point where former MSU cornerback and Owner of Patchwerk Recording Studio Curtis Daniel III created a “Spartan Dawg Anthem” version of the track with Blaze1, his younger brother and rapper.
At the time, Lamar’s music wasn’t the national fixture it became, and was most popular in Georgia. Before the song went viral, he had never performed a show. The Spartans were not recognized as a national contender throughout their Rose Bowl season.
After Lamar’s virality, he performed a show at Breslin Center. To Curtis’s surprise, Mark Dantonio went to the concert and hopped on stage with the rapper.
MSU former linebacker Taiwan Jones said when the players heard of Lamar’s passing, they exchanged texts in a group chat.
“The guy was a part of the team. Didn’t matter what color you were, what background you came from, dudes who didn’t like rap,” Jones said. “But when Rich Homie Quan, ‘Type of Way,’ came on after the game, everybody in the locker room was dancing to it. As you could see, Coach D was dancing to it.”
Based on original reporting by Somer Sodeman and Alana Lundgaard.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting intervals of clouds and sunshine with a high of 86 degrees and a low of 56 degrees.
First annual “Camp Gains” accumulates traction for MSU lifting clubs
On the outskirts of MSU campus gym IM East on Sunday, presidents of the MSU Powerlifting Club, or MSUPL, and Girl Gains Club finished striping the grass in white paint to begin a festive field day called “Camp Gains.”
When the spring semester of 2024 rolled around, both presidents sat down to figure out how to bring their lifting clubs together. Their aim: to form new relationships and continue to build off of each other’s “gym rat” energy.
MSUPL is a co-ed group founded in 2019 and has taken off since attracting over a hundred students, who focus on powerlifting and competing in events such as deadlift, bench and squat.
Girl Gains is a group of MSU women who want to feel included in gym culture and help take pressure off attending the gym away from those who feel it.
The Casual Lifting Club at MSU is for anyone interested in the realms of exercising. The club does not focus on the specifics of weightlifting, but more on the entirety of what attending the gym can do.
With activities involving a tug-of-war, three-legged race and water balloon fight, the crowd of lifters were seperated into a green team and a white team.
The event attracted sponsors, two of which were created by MSU student entrepreneurs: Protein Pints, a protein-based ice cream brand, and Cocomar, a coconut water-based protein shake.
Along with the MSU brands supported, a surprise brand arrived: Celsius, the well-known energy drink company, which set up products for all attendees.
With the success the groups encountered at the first “Camp Gains,” there is hope for years to come. The goal is to make everyone feel comfortable, healthy and happy in the gym, no matter what.
Medical examiner questions cause of Brenda Santo’s death at MSU
A report set to be released is calling into question the cause of death of Brendan Santo, a Grand Valley State University student who went missing on MSU’s campus in October of 2021 and was later found dead in the Red Cedar River.
The report, which is set to air on Local 4 Detroit, features an interview with Oakland County’s Chief Medical Examiner Ljubisa (lubisha) Dragovic who believes that Santo’s case should have been left ‘undetermined’ rather than closed, as no water was found in his lungs during the autopsy.
Santo’s autopsy report lists his cause of death as an accidental drowning, with acute ethanol intoxication listed as a contributory condition to his death.
The autopsy revealed advanced decomposition changes, which Dragovic said could have covered up any injuries Santos may have suffered the night of his disappearance.
The advanced decomposition could have also covered up further evidence of water present in Santo’s body that could imply drowning.
Because of this, Dragovic said that the autopsy cannot fully determine the cause of Santo’s death and safely exclude foul play.
MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant said in a statement answering to the report that the results of the investigation were submitted to the Ingham County prosecutor in June 2022, who determined that there was no criminal activity involved in the event.
There has been no new evidence presented to indicate the possibility of any criminal activity since, according to the statement.
Spartan Remix fosters community through collaboration, connection
Last Thursday, the Michigan State University Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) held its annual Spartan Remix at the Breslin Center.
Spartan Remix is MSU’s multicultural welcome festival, during which students are able to learn about multicultural student organizations on campus and watch performances put on by different groups and artists.
The setup of Spartan Remix is similar to that of Sparticipation, MSU’s annual registered student organization (RSO) event where every RSO comes together to promote their clubs. However, Spartan Remix is a scaled-down version that prioritizes multicultural groups on campus.
The theme of this year’s Spartan Remix was Fostering Community Through Collaboration and Connection.
Based on original reporting by Madilynn Warden, Hannah Holycross and Hannah Locke.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting sunshine along with some cloudy intervals with a high of 51 degrees and a low of 36 degrees. For the rest of the weekend, it looks like it will be partly cloudy skies with the temps in the lower to mid 50s.
MSU students protest for support of transgender students following anti-trans rights demonstration
Students peacefully protested outside the Hannah Administration Building on Monday to advocate for MSU to adhere to diversity, equity and inclusion standards in support of transgender and gender non-conforming students. The protest was a response to a demonstration held in Brody Hall on April 4 that students deemed transphobic.
The gathering consisted of students seeking to share their experiences with trans visibility at MSU, as well as demand change from administration.
According to the MSU freedom of speech webpage, though hate speech has no legal definition, “the term often refers to speech that insults or demeans a person or group of people on the basis of particular attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or gender.” Furthermore, the university states that while it condemns hate speech, “there is no hate speech exception in the constitution.”
The previous demonstration at Brody Hall included signs reading “Men can’t be women,” “Women can’t be men” and “Do no harm,” a reference to a medical and political advocacy group that opposes gender-affirming care and DEI efforts.
However, according to Student Life and Engagement spokesperson Kat Cooper, the only requirement to set up a table like the one on April 4 is that the students doing it have to be a registered student organization. Other than that, she said SLE does not make decisions about what is considered free speech and that MSU “cannot judge based on the content of what (RSOs) want to share.”
Speeches took place calling on the administration to take more action regarding hate speech on campus and questioned why students are the first to take action in the face of hate speech.
MSU’s decade-strong anaerobic digester: Transforming leftovers (and manure) into renewable power
Unbeknownst to many Michigan State University students enjoying their meals at dining halls, their leftovers contribute to powering the campus.
One-third of food produced in the U.S. is wasted, with a significant portion ending up in landfills, where it generates methane, accelerating climate change. To make the campus even greener, MSU built the South Campus Anaerobic Digester (SCAD), a facility that converts organic waste into renewable energy and valuable fertilizers.
It’s not just food waste that’s processed by the anaerobic digester but also cow manure from the MSU Dairy Teaching and Research Center.
Developed in the fall of 2013, the SCAD is the first university-owned anaerobic digestion facility. In its decade of operation, it has processed more than 60,000 tons of manure. The implementation of the SCAD is responsible for reducing 42% of the carbon footprint for both waste streams.
As a campus-based digester, its primary goals are to handle campus waste and conduct research to discover the next generation of technology to better serve the communities more sustainably.
The digester is an above-ground steel tank capable of holding 300,000 gallons. The facility is located on MSU’s south campus near the intersection of College and Bennett roads.
Every day, waste from local restaurants, dining halls and manure from the 250 cows at the MSU Dairy Farm is transported to the SCAD.
The anaerobic digester has many benefits, including landfill and wastewater diversion, the production of renewable energy and fertilizer, a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and effective odor control.
MSU recently received state funding to renovate the university’s dairy and greenhouse facilities. MSU will be constructing a new on-campus dairy farm that will be able to house 680 mature cows.
The expansion is expected to be operational by 2026 and it reinforces MSU’s commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.
Based on original reporting by Jack Williams and Tessa Kresch.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home Athletic line-up for the weekend…
Baseball (playing Penn State)
- Tonight at 8:05 P.M.
- Tomorrow at 3:35 P.M.
- Sunday at 1:05 P.M.
Softball (playing Illinois)
- Tonight at 5 P.M.
- Tomorrow at 1 P.M.
- Sunday at 1 P.M.
Football
- Hosting the Spring Showcase tomorrow at Spartan Stadium at 2 P.M.
Women’s Tennis
- Nebraska tomorrow at 11 A.M.
- Iowa at 11 A.M. on Sunday.
For our final announcement, thank you so much for an incredible semester and school year for The State! I’m thrilled to announce I’ll be coming back in the fall with more daily news for you for the whole school year! Fun fact, I’ve been the host of this podcast, going on 4 years so next year will be my last but it will be a great time and I hope you join me on that journey! Good luck on finals spartans, have a great summer, and we’ll be back in the fall with more news!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mostly cloudy with a high of 62 degrees and a low of 46 degrees.
MSU faculty, staff members write letter on concerns over the Faculty Senate’s divestment decision
Ninety Michigan State University faculty members have signed an open letter expressing their concerns to the MSU Faculty Senate over its decision last month against the resolution to divest from Israel’s military campaign.
English Associate Professor and Creative Writing Director Divya Victor said she, alongside many other faculty members, was astonished by the senate’s decision. Its reasons for going against divestment were “not sound,” she said, and the decision goes against institutional values around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“Some faculty members perpetuated the myth that to divest from Israeli weapons manufacturers would be tantamount to forwarding anti-Semitic sentiments on campus,” Victor said. “We think that it is possible to divest from Israeli weapons manufacturers, fossil fuels and various other deeply harm-producing enterprises without having that reflect on our views on anyone’s ethnicity or race or religion.”
In 1978, MSU decided to divest from Apartheid South Africa, according to the open letter. Victor said calling for divestments is part of people’s moral obligations and her roles as a researcher, educator, faculty member and artist are not separate from her role as a global citizen.
MSU to open Pollinator Performance Center
A 15-acre Pollinator Performance Center is soon to come to Michigan State University’s south side of campus. The project was created through a partnership between MSU’s department of Entomology, MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension.
The center will serve to be “MSU’s home of pollinator studies, teaching, equipment and storage outreach,” according to the Pollinator Performance Center’s website.
The center is currently finishing construction that would add capacity for winter housing and install a honey extraction system, according to Farm Manager Dan Wyns. These improvements will not only finalize the construction of the center, but also allow MSU to amp up research into pollinators.
He said the bees are kept in artificial hives that are transported from farm to farm in order to pollinate crops. Beekeepers are contracted by farmers to transport and maintain bees while they are pollinating a farmer’s crops.
According to the USDA Forest Service, 80% of crop plants used around the world rely on pollination to reproduce and have noticeably higher crop yields after visits from pollinators. This includes almost all fruit and grain crops across the world.
In recent years, the study and utilization of pollination has been steadily increasing and agricultural fields see an improvement in crop size and yield after the pollination process is completed. At MSU, the study of pollinators has just begun.
Outside of the pollinator center, MSU continues to support pollinator populations through pollinator gardens. These gardens were planned and planted by Sustainable Spartans, a student organization dedicated to educating others about sustainable practices and implementing projects they feel address issues on campus.
MSU club CTRL+A celebrates APIDA Heritage Month with 6th annual spring showcase
Michigan State University’s CTRL+A organization hosted its annual spring showcase event on its 6th anniversary to celebrate the organization this past Sunday.
MSU’s CRTL+A student organization strives to represent the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American community and culture by celebrating diversity through dance performances. While APIDA Heritage Month is observed in the month of May, many MSU organizations choose to celebrate in April, before the end of the academic year.
CTRL+A’s President and biomedical laboratory science and human biology senior Angelina Au-Tran said the name of the organization originates from the computer command control and A, which selects all text on a page.
Au-Tran said that CTRL+A hosts a showcase every semester, but also hosts general member workshops, where members are welcome to stop by, and public workshops.
Similarly, Au-Tran said her favorite part about hosting events like the spring showcase is the ability to show APIDA culture and dance to the community.
Based on original reporting by Ridhima Kodali, Joe Lorenz and Amy Cho.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon with potential for severe thunderstorms with a high of 71 degrees and a low of 49 degrees.
MSU James Madison College holds open forum in response to student calls for improved DEI efforts
MSU’s residential college in public affairs and international relations, James Madison College, hosted an open forum Monday night for students to discuss concerns regarding a lack of diversity, equity and inclusion in the college.
The forum was a response to a letter released earlier this month.
In the letter, James Madison College students condemned the institution for “cultivating and perpetuating an environment and culture where marginalized students are clearly unwelcome.”
The letter was written by the Madisonians for Justice, “a collective of students devoted to promoting equity and inclusivity” in the college, according to a statement from the unofficial organization.
It was sent to the JMC deans, faculty, staff, College Inclusion Committee and Faculty Affair Committee in February and was released publicly on April 5, according to a joint Instagram post from the JMC Women of Color Coalition, JMC Wilma Mankiller Society and W.E.B. DuBois Society.
The letter said students of color in James Madison classes “bear the burden of educating their classmates on their lived experiences.” These students are tokenized and “face the invalidation and reappropriation of their experiences,” which is exacerbated by the power imbalance between students and professors, the letter said.
Professors and staff members of color face similar tokenization, the letter said, and they have the disproportionate burden of supporting marginalized students while being offered little support.
The letter said JMC is familiar with complaints about a lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion. But these problems have not been addressed until Black student organizations and faculty brought them to light, the letter said. It listed examples of actions taken by the Black Madisonians, senior Black faculty members, and the W.E.B. DuBois Society.
In response to Madisonians for Justice’s letter, Dean Cameron Thies said the college has been transparent in providing the retention and demographics data requested. Members of the JMC administration have met with student representatives since the letter’s release, according to Thies.
Hate crime, aggravated assault reported at the MSU Library
A group of five suspects assaulted two victims based on sexual orientation bias at the Michigan State University Main Library, according to an email MSU police sent out to students and faculty on Monday.
The hate crime occurred at the Michigan State University Library at 5:45 p.m. and was reported to MSU police at 5:50 p.m.
The email stated that the suspects were “intentionally selecting the victim(s) because of the perpetrator’s sexual orientation bias.”
“We don’t want any type of violence happening on our campus,” MSU Spokesperson Emily Guerrant said. “We want anyone who’s on our campus to feel safe while they’re here, whether that’s because they’re a student, or because they’re a visitor on campus using the library. It’s important people feel safe at MSU.”
‘Out of the Darkness’ 5K raises over $10,000, gathers 250 attendees for suicide prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention held a 5K last Sunday.
The walkout began at noon and had 250 people in attendance. The proceeds raised will be used for suicide prevention education, supporting survivors of suicide loss and suicide prevention research.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and the number of deaths increased by 2.6 percent between 2021 and 2022, according to the CDC.
Many attendees took part in the event and expressed their devastation and heartbreak from the increase in suicide rates, as well as those affected by mental health issues.
Based on original reporting by Demonte Thomas and Ridhima Kodali.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies with a high of 68 degrees and a low of 51 degrees.
‘Be the Match’ drive raises awareness for blood disorders with bone marrow registry
The National Marrow Donor Program, or “Be The Match,” hosted its annual drive last Friday at Michigan State University to spread awareness for blood disorders. The drive was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brody Square and set up a bone marrow registry anyone could sign up for to match with patients, increasing their chances of receiving a bone marrow transplant.
MSU kinesiology senior, Black Student Alliance Campus Liason and NMDP volunteer Mychaela Lovelace helped organize and lead the event. Lovelace, who was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia at age five, celebrated her 15th year of remission.
Aplastic Anemia is a rare blood disorder that occurs when the body’s bone marrow does not produce enough red and white blood cells and platelets, causing hemoglobin levels to drop.
Lovelace was diagnosed with the disorder’s most severe form and told that a bone marrow transplant was needed for her to live. In 2009, her family received a call from their doctor and found a 10 out of 10 match, allowing Lovelace to receive her transplant immediately.
After receiving her transplant, however, Lovelace developed complications, such as nausea due to prior chemotherapy, and developed another disorder that attacked her skin. To this day, Lovelace undergoes transfusions to support her immune system.
Now celebrating her 15th year of remission, Lovelace is an advocate for patients who have died from aplastic anemia and other blood cancers.
Multiple student organizations, such as Lovelace’s sorority, the Delta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, or MAPS, and Black Student Alliance volunteered with the event.
Other students also shared their stories about battling with blood disorders, or the disorders of a loved one, during the event. Supporters gathered around to listen to the challenges each student experienced.
MSU showcases student research in 2024 UURAF
The 26th annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum, or UURAF, took place at the Breslin Center last Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., where over a thousand undergraduate students presented their work to their peers, MSU faculty, judges and community members both in person and online.
MSU’s office of Undergraduate Research connects undergrads with research mentors, supports them in their projects and oversees the planning of UURAF.
Director of Undergraduate Research Brian Keas said students and staff work all year long to make this event a reality.
UURAF is open to all undergraduate students at MSU interested in conducting their own research and the event showcases a wide variety of fields, from science to the arts.
Keas said participation in UURAF is a feat in dedication and scholarship, and should be near the top of students’ resumes. He said he is confident that this experience will continue to help students succeed.
Summer Solstice Jazz Festival returning to East Lansing
In the heart of East Lansing, on June 21 and 22, music will ring out in the streets. The Summer Solstice Jazz Festival is returning for its 27th year and will provide an opportunity for attendees to listen to professional jazz musicians.
The festival will be set up along Albert Avenue, between M.A.C. Avenue and Abbot Road. Anyone can walk through and take in the music from 5-10 p.m. on Friday and 1-10 p.m. on Saturday.
The festival also partners with the MSU college of music. Due to this partnership, there are two stages to be found at the festival: The Al and Beth Cafagna Founders’ Stage and The Michigan State University Outreach and Engagement Education Stage.
The Founders’ stage will feature performances from renowned musicians and the MSU Education Stage will provide an opportunity for local performers to get their foot in the door.
The festival will also feature multiple different ways for audience members to experience the performers; making the event even more accessible.
This year, community members can choose to pick up sensory bags. Bags will have sensory toys, noise canceling headphones and stress balls — things “people can touch to keep them grounded.” If audience members need to step away from things for a while, they can do so without having to leave by visiting a quiet space on the festival grounds.
For those who don’t want the nights’ festivities to end, there will be an afterglow at The Graduate following each day of the festival. Located in the Graduate’s Rock Bar, the afterglow is available to all ages and will feature more live music.
Based on original reporting by Shakyra Mabone, Kendra Gilchrist and Liam Clymer.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting beautiful sunny skies with a high of 69 degrees and a low of 42 degrees.
MSU board approves campus renovations, new tennis facility, research building
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees approved several infrastructure updates, a new scholarship and the establishment of a research building in Detroit.
President Kevin Guskiewicz said he saw the need for building renovations while touring campus.
First, the board approved major renovations to the campus tennis facility at the corner of Chestnut Road and Wilson Road.
A new facility with restrooms, a locker room and space for teams will also be built.
Next, The board approved renovations to a former dining hall in Wilson Hall.
The unused space will be turned into teaching, learning and office space for the faculty and staff of MSU’s Technology Engineering program, which is anticipated to begin in fall 2024.
They also approved the leasing of one floor of a research building the university is set to build in Detroit.
It will lease the floor to Henry Ford Health, a partner of the university’s College of Medicine. The building will be located on Henry Ford Health’s Detroit campus.
Then, Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees approved the establishment of a scholarship fund for students in the College of Medicine that “have demonstrated a commitment to serving and/or advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community,” according to the resolution.
Finally, The board voted to approve an expansion to the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB.
“The proposed addition adds two more testing end-stations and the additional capacity provided by the building expansion addresses this national need by allowing user teams to test 24/7, eliminating current gaps in testing time needed for user team set-up and take-down,” the resolution said.
MSU won’t release Nassar documents to public until AG investigation ends
Michigan State University has decided not to publicly release thousands of documents relating to the university’s handling of years of sexual abuse by disgraced ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar until an outside investigation ends.
The university argues that the records — which were released to Michigan’s attorney general in December — are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act because they fall under an exemption covering “records compiled for law enforcement purposes.”
The exemption shields records from disclosure when they would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, according to the statute.
The State News filed public records requests for the documents after the board voted to waive privilege over them last year. MSU responded last Thursday, saying release of the records would “interfere with law enforcement proceedings.”
The university did not explain how release would interfere with attorney general Dana Nessel’s work.
The decision was made by MSU’s general counsel and did not involve the attorney general’s office, university spokesperson Emily Guerrant said.
MSU plans to stop using the exemption when the attorney general’s investigation concludes completely, she said.
Steve Delie — a FOIA attorney and director of transparency and open government at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy — reviewed the correspondence between MSU and The State News and said the exemption seems to be misapplied.
Normally, the carve-out is employed by law enforcement agencies trying to shield records of their own ongoing investigations, he said.
The only cases where he’s seen a public body use the exemption over records for someone else’s investigation is in the context of shared investigations.
If MSU has reason to believe release of these records would harm the attorney general’s work, they should have explained it in their response, he said.
The university is also obligated to use redactions to separate truly exempt portions of the records from the rest, Delie said. MSU’s response declined to provide the records whatsoever, even in a redacted format.
The previously-privileged documents include thousands of pages of email and text communications to and from MSU leaders and attorneys, records of internal complaints and investigations regarding Nassar, and personnel files of those who worked with and above Nassar during his time at MSU.
For years, the board withheld the documents from investigators, arguing they were subject to attorney-client privilege. It voted unanimously to reverse that decision in December.
Department of Natural Resources stocks Red Cedar River with over 3,000 trout
A handful of students and curious onlookers gathered on the Beal Street bridge last Friday afternoon to watch as a crew from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, stocked the Red Cedar River with 3,300 steelhead trout.
Unloading from a specialized fish stocking vehicle, DNR employees used slides and buckets to drop the trout over the side of the bridge and into the river.
Friday’s drop is only one small part of the DNR’s spring-long process of stocking rivers and lakes across the state of Michigan with various species of fish. From mid-March to early June, around 20 million fish are stocked using a fleet of specialized fish-stocking vehicles that travel around the state.
Alexa Curtis, one of the DNR employees who was dumping trout into the Red Cedar, said the year-old fish would spend a short period of time in the river before swimming downstream to Lake Michigan.
Based on original reporting by Owen McCarthy, Theo Scheer, Alex Walters and Emilio Perez Ibarguen.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting windy with light rain early, then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon with a high of 52 degrees and a low of 39 degrees.
MSU Indian Students Organization celebrates return of Sargam cultural fair
The MSU Indian Students Organization held its annual Sargam cultural fair last Sunday afternoon in the MSU Union Ballroom for the first time since 2019. The fair went on an indefinite pause for the last five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sargam is the Indian Students Organization’s annual cultural fair featuring students singing and dancing to popular Hindi songs in a celebration of Indian heritage and culture. Prior to the performances, attendees were greeted with a variety of activities, authentic food and booths belonging to registered student organizations.
There were several guests of honor in attendance, including MSU Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar Bennett, Michigan State Senator Sam Singh and Mayor Pro-Tem of East Lansing Kerry Ebersole Singh.
Bennett said the return of Sargam was a “wonderful opportunity” to showcase and celebrate various communities.
‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ inspires connection through Broadway-level storytelling
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” opened on April 2 for its two-week run at the Wharton Center. Audience members saw the first week of shows and left with a shared experience of a true Broadway-level love story.
Taking place in the titular Moulin Rouge cabaret club in Paris, the production tells the tale of a youthful composer named Christian as he finds himself hopelessly in love with the club’s star performer, Satine. Told through original music and unique medlies of famous love songs, Christian, now caught in a love triangle, fights to let his voice ring out in favor of true love.
Actor Robert Petkoff plays Harold Zidler in the production. Zidler is the mischievous host and director of the Moulin Rouge. Bearing the burden of the Moulin Rouge’s financial troubles but having a father-like role in Satine’s life, his motivations are often muddled and mysterious.
Petkoff said the variation of live theater is what allows audience members to feel as though they’re watching a production for the first time.
Petkoff said part of the thrill of live theater comes from the fact that it’s a shared experience.
He added that students being able to enter a space that features community reaction is important and reactive collaboration isn’t only limited to the audience.
He said live theater provides variety because of “an interplay between the audience and the actors.”
More information on “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” and other Wharton Center shows can be found on their website.
How to approach spring cleaning in an eco-friendly way
The melting away of snow doesn’t just expose the dirt hiding in the snowbanks; it also reveals the dirt and dust that’s accumulated in our homes, leading many people to participate in the phenomenon of spring cleaning.
“It’s a nice way to get you ready for the summer,” said chemistry engineering sophomore Aidan Frost. Frost uses spring cleaning as an opportunity to clean his kitchen and bathroom, organize his closet and vacuum.
But before breaking out your mop, flinging open the windows and queuing your favorite music, you might want to be mindful of the cleaning products that are being used and the potential environmental effects.
Household cleaning chemicals are known to leech into our soil, water and air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. These chemicals find their way into the environment through aerosolized sprays, surface runoff into waterways, and from pouring used products down the drain.
This spring, some students that wish to clean their house and reduce stress on the environment are using home-made alternative cleaners.
Using empty spray bottles from old cleaning products is one way to repurpose plastic and reduce waste. When repurposing, it is important to thoroughly clean the container before filling it with a new cleaner to prevent reactions between the old and new chemicals in the container.
There are also other alternative cleaners one can use this season for spring cleaning including vinegar, baking soda, olive oil, rubbing alcohol, and even bleach for disinfecting spaces.
Based on original reporting by Demonte Thomas, Liam Clymer and Joe Lorenz.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
- Next week will be the last week The State will air for the spring semester.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain and possible thunder with a high of 58 degrees and a low of 44 degrees.
ASMSU elects new president, vice president for finance and operations, and vice president for academic affairs
History and political science junior Connor Le was elected to be the next president of the Associated Students of Michigan State University by the general assembly.
Le served as vice president for internal administration this school year. Before that, he was a representative for the Asian Pacific American Student Organization.
Prior to the vote, Le gave a speech to the general assembly in which he said he wanted to focus on justice and transparency as ASMSU president.
One way Le hopes to prioritize justice is through accountability. Le said previous general assemblies have failed to hold representatives accountable for not representing their colleagues and students correctly.
In response to this, Le hopes to create an ASMSU judicial branch. He also hopes that the 61st assembly, which was elected last week, will hold its peers accountable.
When the gavel strike made the transition official, president Emily Hoyumpa exited her presidential seat, allowing Le to conduct the remainder of the meeting.
Next came the vote for vice president for finance and operations. The assembly elected Delaney Jones, a representative from the Broad Business College.
When Jones took the stand to give her speech, she emphasized that her experience in various groups made her fit for this position. She also shared her values as a leader.
MSU Neighborhood Student Success Center hosts de-stress event Wednesday evening
The Neighborhood Student Success Center River Trail/MASP Neighborhood, in collaboration with the Owen Hall student government, held a De-stress for Success event for students to relax while preparing for the final weeks of the spring semester.
The event included duck days, an opportunity for students to get LinkedIn headshots taken, BINGO, therapy dogs, chair massages, cotton candy and ice cream, and much more.
Many departments were present with resource tables including Counseling & Psychiatric Services, Eat at State, University Advising and the College of Nursing.
N Crowd intersects student designs and social justice in third annual spring fashion show
Michigan State University’s student-run fashion magazine, N Crowd, hosted its third annual spring fashion show at Demonstration Hall last Saturday night. This year’s theme of the fashion show was “School Kids Aesthetic,” featuring street-styled clothing from at least 15 students and local designers.
Information science senior and N Crowd co-founder Brandon Williams gave a warm welcome to family and friends as they filled the ballroom. Williams thanked the audience for supporting the fashion show, as tickets had officially sold out within a day.
Apparel and textile junior Brendan Sims opened the show by performing his song “Fiendz.” Audience members cheered Sims on as he danced around them.
Despite being in the early stages of the brand, Sims said, creating clothes from donated mixed fabrics brings him joy. The stitching of his signature patchwork is made carefully, and the material is strong, he said.
He noted that many college students struggle with unstable finances, making it difficult to afford their favorite clothing brands. Sims takes their “plain denim looks” and makes them feel like they’re designer.
The models walked down the runway with Sims’ grunge, street look. Four more hip-hop performances by four other artists, including experience architecture junior Kennedy Campbell, filled the event. Students danced and sang along with Campbell, whose artist name is Kenny Moss, to her song, “On My Body!” as she rode around on a decorated hoverboard.
Based on original reporting by Kaspar Haehnle, Demonte Thomas and Shakyra Mabone.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies in the morning which will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon with a high of 67 degrees. and a low of 48 degrees.
MSU board to vote on rate increases for housing, dining plans
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees will consider a 6.89% increase in rates for residence halls and dining plans at its meeting this Friday. The change is recommended by the university’s department of Student Life and Engagement, which says an increase is needed to keep up with rising inflation and residence hall renovations.
The proposed hike to dorms and dining plans would only apply to incoming first-year students.
“(Student Life and Engagement) is sensitive to the need to keep housing and dining rates affordable for students, especially as the pressures of individual contribution to the cost of higher education continue to increase,” the proposal states. “This proposed rate attempts to strike a balance between affordability, enhanced services for students, and the continued renovation and required updates of aging residence halls and apartment buildings.”
The proposal also recommends a 5% increase in rent for 1855 Place and University Village apartments.
The recommendation notes that in six of the last eight years, room and board rate increases were below 3%, and that this change would help the university “mitigate the impact of inflation.” It also argues that even with the increase, MSU’s room and board pricing will remain “competitively positioned” with other Big Ten universities.
MSU approved similar rate hikes in April 2023, which raised rates 7% for first and second year students, 5% for 1855 Place and University Village Apartments and 3% for Spartan Village Apartments.
MSU student arrested after flipping table, striking two students
An MSU student was arrested last Thursday afternoon after flipping over a table and striking two students at a demonstration in Brody Hall, according to MSU Police and Public Safety Spokesperson Dana Whyte.
The demonstration, set up by student organization Young Americans for Freedom at Michigan State University, or YAFMSU, featured a transgender pride flag with the words “DO NO HARM” written over it as well as flyers that stated “men cannot be women.”
The group received prior approval to set up the table in Brody Hall, Whyte said.
After the group’s table “drew attention from other students,” officers were present to mediate the situation. At that point, Whyte said, a student approached the table and flipped it over before striking two students from YAFMSU.
The student was arrested for simple assault and violating MSU Ordinance 15.03 which states “No person shall obstruct, hinder, or impede the normal use or operation of any campus building or area which has been assigned or scheduled for educational or extracurricular activities.”
Following the arrest, the student was processed and released pending a review of the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office.
MSU hosts Pride Showcase, provides safe space for queer students to express themselves
Last Wednesday, Michigan State University hosted its annual Pride Showcase for the university’s pride month. Pride month, a celebration of the queer community and queer history, takes place every year in June. Since the school year is done by that time, MSU chooses to celebrate Pride month in April.
The Pride Showcase is one of the many events that the university has planned for this month. The event itself was organized by the registered student organization Arc, the University Activities Board, or UAB, MSU Libraries, Spartan Pride Alliance and the Broad Art Museum.
Prior to the event, students were able to register to showcase their different forms of art and performance. During the event, student paintings, photography, designs and prose were laid out for attendees to see. There were also on-stage performances, which included song covers, poetry, lip syncing and drag.
Based on original reporting by Theo Scheer, Emilio Perez Ibarguen and Hannah Locke.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mainly cloudy with a high of 46 degrees and a low of 31 degrees. For the rest of the weekend, it looks like it will be mixes of clouds and sun with temps in the mid to higher 50s.
Students call for security cameras, increased MSU safety measures after IM East larcenies
In the fall semester of 2023, 202 cases of larceny, or “property crimes,” have been reported at Michigan State University.
Throughout the months of January, February and March alone, there were seven reported cases of larceny at MSU’s IM East Fitness Center this year, according to MSU Police Department Spokesperson Dana Whyte.
Communications Manager of the MSU Auxiliary Sports Group Ean Montague said IM staff put the safety of students first, and cameras would be a “privacy issue” inside the locker room. They are working with MSU Police and Public Safety to address these incidents, Montague said.
Whyte said MSUPD is not able to disclose camera locations due to safety and security concerns on campus. She noted that MSUPD is working with IM East staff and Student Life and Engagement on how to prevent further larcenies from occurring.
Renaissance Sword Society members revive medieval martial arts at MSU
Although Thursday nights in the second-floor gym of the IM Circle building may look like a scene out of a Shakespeare play, the members of the Renaissance Sword Society need not have a heavy head or crown — just their longswords, some in-depth knowledge of medieval dueling tactics and a bit of padding.
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is exactly what it sounds like: the study and practice of the old European martial system, which died out ages ago.
But it’s seen a resurgence in the past decade, including here at MSU, where English senior Han Yoo founded the Renaissance Sword Society last spring.
Yoo began practicing HEMA before he was an MSU student. When he got to MSU, the lack of an existing club on campus was enough motivation for him to start one. Yoo said his initial goal when starting the club was to make new friends, fence with them and ultimately create new fencers that could “shoot off into the world” to start their own clubs and contribute to a larger, growing HEMA scene.
But HEMA is much more than just banging swords together. What may seem like a simple sword-fighting sport actually requires scholarship and interpretation of old texts.
And while it’s certainly possible to become a good HEMA fencer simply by going to a gym and asking instructors questions, Yoo said that what separates the good fencers from the great fencers is the level of understanding of the texts and that person’s ability to apply that knowledge to what they end up practicing in the gym.
And like most hobbies, complexities can come off as somewhat daunting, but Yoo said one of the best parts of the club is the community, which is quite welcoming to newcomers.
MSU student group uses PR project to draw attention to multiculturalism
Michigan State University’s division of the Public Relations Student Society of America, or PRSSA, competed in a public relations case study competition to draw attention to multicultural topics from Feb. 5 to March 25.
The Bateman Case Study Competition, a national event put on yearly by PRSSA, chooses a subject for their chapters to test their skills and generate an effective PR campaign around. This year, the subject of the competition was Culturs magazine.
Culturs is a publication that focuses its attention on stories of intersectional identities– mainly centered on people with multiethnic, multicultural, mixed-race or geographically mobile identities. The organization chose to leave the “e” out of the word Culturs to represent the often hidden diversities within their storytellers and audience.
Writing multicultural stories lends more diverse voices to a narrative, but with it comes the challenge of making these voices heard.
MSU PRSSA showcased the value of Culturs by engaging students in a way that spoke to them. The team engrossed students in conversations during a pop-up cookie giveaway at Brody and even brought in multicultural student organization leaders for a panel discussion.
Based on original reporting by Ridhima Kodali, Jack Williams and Liam Clymer.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home Athletic line-up for the weekend…
Baseball (playing Niagara)
- Tonight at 6:05 P.M.
- Tomorrow at 3:35 P.M.
- Sunday at 1:05 P.M. all at McLane Baseball Stadium.
Softball (playing Indiana)
- Today at 5 P.M.
- Tomorrow at 1 P.M.
- Sunday at 1 P.M. all taking place at Secchia Stadium.
Women’s Tennis (Michigan)
- Tomorrow at 4 P.M.
Men’s Tennis
- Purdue tomorrow at 12 P.M.
- Indiana at 12 P.M. on Sunday both at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain and snow in the morning with rain showers in the afternoon and otherwise, mostly cloudy skies with a high of 42 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.
Scooters keep ending up in the Red Cedar River, but they’re staying on campus
Over the past few years, hundreds of scooters and bikes have been pulled out of the Red Cedar River, which runs through MSU’s campus.
Because the river is a natural habitat for wildlife like fish and water flow, and because lithium batteries in the scooters can leak and enter the water, there has been rising concern regarding the health of the river.
According to the city of East Lansing, over 250 electric scooters from the Spin company have been pulled from the river in the last three years. One scooter hot spot is the portion of the river near the Bogue Street bridge.
The scooters have been causing problems on the other side of Grand River Avenue too, according to the city. East Lansing’s city manager requested that Spin’s license be revoked in September 2023.
Then earlier this month, the East Lansing City Council voted 4-1 to revoke Spin’s business license. The city’s motion said Spin had violated multiple city ordinances.
It’s unclear what, if any, effect this ban will have on the Red Cedar. Although the ban on Spin scooters is active throughout East Lansing, the scooters are not banned on MSU’s campus.
Spin has already implemented strategies to mitigate the risk of individuals throwing e-scooters in local waterways, according to a spokesperson.
If an individual is caught throwing a scooter into the Red Cedar River, they would be charged with malicious destruction of property, with anything else being counted as littering, according to MSU Department of Police and Public Safety spokesperson Dana Whyte.
If a scooter with a battery causes any type of environmental hazard, that could be a felony and may be an Environmental Protection Agency violation, Whyte stated as well.
MSU hockey’s Adam Nightingale named as a nominee for the Spencer Penrose Award for National Coach of the Year
After a historic season for Michigan State men’s hockey, the rewards for the past season continues to shower down as head coach Adam Nightingale received a nomination, along with nine other NCAA hockey coaches, for the Spencer Penrose Award for National Coach of the Year. The award is gifted by the American Hockey Coaches Association.
The nominees of the award are representatives of those who have won Coach of the Year in their respective conferences, as well as coaches who have helped advance their team into the NCAA Championships, the same tournament where Michigan State lost in the regional finals against the University of Michigan.
Nightingale was unanimously voted as the Big Ten Coach of the Year after having a historic turnaround during his second season with the Spartans, as well as being a finalist for the award in the 2023 season. His first year at the helm showed an improvement of six wins in a season, and his second season brought seven more wins than the previous season.
The Spartans, under his second season, won both the Big Ten regular season title as well as the Big Ten Tournament title. He brought the team back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012, as well as a win in the tournament for the first time since 2008.
The winner of the award will be announced on Wednesday, April 10 and the award will be presented to the winner on May 1 at the Naples Grande Hotel in Naples, Florida during the awards ceremony.
MSU CIUS’s annual dance show celebrates Indian culture, unity
Michigan State University’s Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students put on their annual Satrang dance show this past Saturday, at Everett High School. This year’s show was titled “Mayuri,” which means “peacock,” and was meant to impart a theme of vibrant colors, unity and joy.
CIUS members performed a total of eight different dances, showcasing various styles from across India and America. Members practiced their dances for three months to bring the performances of hip hop, fusion, Bollywood and more to life on the stage.
After being introduced with pictures and videos on a projector screen, dancers and choreographers graced the stage in colorful clothing, accompanied by bright lighting, sound effects and energetic music. The auditorium was filled with family, peers and community members who enthusiastically cheered on the performers.
The night ended with a senior dance, performed by the members of CIUS who are graduating in 2024. After displaying baby photos and current pictures of senior members, they filled the stage for one last dance together.
With about 400 members, CIUS is one of the largest clubs on MSU’s campus, and the annual Satrang dance show is their biggest event of the year. Having sold 700 tickets, this years show was another success for CIUS in celebrating dance and Indian culture within the MSU community.
Based on original reporting by Demonte Thomas, Madilynn Warden and Kendra Gilchrist.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting intervals of clouds and sunshine with a high of 65 degrees and a low of 45 degrees. MSU coach Tucker responds to harassment claims, calls allegations ‘character assassination’ Michigan State University football coach Mel Tucker has released a statement responding to allegations of sexual harassment. Tucker was suspended Sunday evening...
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of a rain shower with a high of 65 degrees and a low of 47 degrees. Harlon Barnett and Mark Dantonio to step in for Mel Tucker during suspension After the suspension of Michigan State football Head Coach Mel Tucker, Interim President Teresa...
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy in the morning and then off and on rain showers during the afternoon with a high of 70 degrees and a low of 57 degrees. Firearms now illegal on MSU campus, regardless of licenses Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees amended the campus gun policy so that even those...
Today’s weather forecast is predicting overcast with a high of 67 degrees and a low of 51 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be sunshine and clouds mixed with lower to mid 70’s. MSU announces metal detectors for Spartan Stadium Michigan State University is introducing a new walk-through metal detector system at...
Today’s weather forecast is predicting a few showers early in the day with overcast skies throughout the rest with a high of 69 degrees and a low of 58 degrees. Consultants find understaffing inadequate software prolong MSU Title IX cases Michigan State University’s Office of Institutional Equity, or OIE, has engaged in months of outside...
Today’s weather forecast is predicted to be cloudy with scattered thunderstorms with gusty winds and possible small hail with a high of 82 degrees and a low of 64 degrees. MSU leadership to prioritize student safety, mental health this school year With the start of the semester last week, Interim President Teresa Woodruff assured students...
Welcome back to The State for fall 2023! If you are new to The State or a returning listener welcome back! I’m Rachel Fulton and a little bit about me is that I am the Podcasts Director and a News Producer here at Impact 89FM and this is my 3rd year hosting The State podcast....
Welcome to the last episode of The State for the semester!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with periods of light rain later in the day with a high of 57 degrees and a low of 47 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be overcast with rain showers and between low 50s and low 60s.
East Lansing mayor and city manager suggest racism may be reason behind anonymous complaint
The East Lansing City Council approved measures to resolve complaints from an anonymous letter delivered to the City’s Human Resources department which accused council members of conducting business unethically.
The first measure approved was a joint statement that set forth the council’s intentions to hire an independent entity to review the allegations in the letter.
City Attorney Anthony Chubb will serve as the city’s representative in the investigation.
Chubb’s appointment was used as an example of “poor management,” by the Council, according to the anonymous writer.
The council plans to ask for an update on the investigation 90 days after it begins if they have not received a final report by that point.
East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon said he welcomes any scrutiny related to his work as it pertains to the City Charter or politics of the city, but he won’t tolerate the letter, “trying to lump people into some type of coalition or cabal based on race, gender or anything else.”
The anonymous complaint mentions by name the city’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion 13 times, stating that the city staff has been given the impression that her connections to the council and mayor are allegedly being used by the mayor to ignore the city charter and go around the city manager to influence personnel decisions.
Chubb said that when the investigation is done, he will work with human resources to build a process through which complaints can be filed.
Bacon said that he wants the council to come out of this with a solution that doesn’t place future city councils or city employees in the crosshairs of anonymous complaints.
A.J. Hoggard joins Akins and declares for NBA draft, retains NCAA eligibility
Sophomore guard Jaden Akins isn’t the only Spartan testing his chances in the 2023 NBA Draft. Per a list released by the NBA on Tuesday night, junior guard A.J. Hoggard has joined his teammate in submitting his name early.
MSU’s starting point guard took charge during the 2022-23 season, stepping up in the green and white’s backcourt alongside senior guard Tyson Walker. Hoggard averaged 12.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists his junior season along with being named to the East Regional All-Tournament team following his standout performance in MSU’s overtime Sweet 16 loss to Kansas State.
Graduate student forward Joey Hauser’s name can be found on the list as well. Hauser has announced that he will not be returning to MSU per his social media.
Seniors struggle with expectation to have a job upon graduation
Fifty-nine percent of Michigan State University seniors had a graduation outcome of “employed” in 2020; according to the University of Washington, an estimated 53% of all college graduates are unemployed or underemployed — when they have a job, but their position does not utilize their skills or abilities.
In a cultural climate that heavily associates prestige and success with employment, navigating changing career plans can be hard. For students like international relations and German senior Cassidy Johnston, not having a job lined up immediately after graduation feels strange.
Johnston, who enrolled in MSU planning to pursue law, said she needs a break from school now. While currently in the process of looking for a job, she said, the stigma surrounding unemployment weighs on her.
International relations and Spanish senior Joy Cullen said the job market for social science degrees is always “a little bit hairy.”
With fears over recession and the plight of the economy, Cullen said she feels it is getting increasingly difficult to find jobs.
Cullen said both the pandemic and the campus mass shooting had an impact on her college experience and career outlook. In addition to the effect COVID-19 had on the job market, she said, it was harder to join extracurriculars and make connections.
Johnston said COVID-19 made it harder to meet with advisors and acclimate to campus. For younger students, she recommends beginning career planning earlier.
Based on original reporting by Maggie George, Melanie Soverinsky and Dipika Rao.
To end our last episode of the semester, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Baseball will play Western Northwestern this weekend all at McLane Baseball Stadium!
- Tonight at 6:05 P.M.
- Tomorrow at 3:35 P.M.
- Sunday at 1:05 P.M.
Softball will go up against Purdue this weekend all at Secchia Stadium!
- This evening at 5 P.M.
- Tomorrow at 1 P.M.
- Sunday at 1 P.M. all at Secchia Stadium.
For our final announcement, I would just like to thank everyone who has been listening throughout this entire school year. It has been quite a year let alone a semester and personally producing this podcast has been one of the things I look forward to each and every day. I am proud to announce that I will be back with The State for the fall semester so get ready for some more news in a few months!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting generally sunny skies despite a few afternoon clouds with a high of 61 degrees and a low of 44 degrees.
Students protest Board of Trustees’ refusal to release Nassar documents
A group of students gathered to protest the Board of Trustees’ refusal to release thousands of documents detailing the university’s handling of disgraced ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse cases.
By making this decision, the board chose not to comply with State Attorney General Dana Nessel’s request for the documents to be released. The controversial choice attracted criticism and confusion from members of the MSU community and survivor organizations.
One student, communications junior Charlotte Plotzke, said she planned the April 25 protest outside of the Hannah Administration Building because she did not believe the board’s decision was acceptable. She said by refusing to release the documents, the board was denying justice to the survivors.
During the protest, Plotzke held a sign that read “my tuition is not your hush money” and led students in chanting “silence is violence.” She used a megaphone to address people inside the building and passersby.
Plotzke said the board’s decision was possibly an attempt to cover up third-party actions. She said the university is “still cowering in fear” and concerned more about money than survivors.
She also said she would not stop fighting the decision until the board holds itself to the same standards that students are held to and justice is served.
East Lansing City Council, including Mayor Ron Bacon, accused of unethical behavior in anonymous complaint
The East Lansing City Council is facing an anonymous complaint citing unethical behavior and breach of the city charter.
In a letter received by interim human resources Director Emily Kenney and interim city clerk Marie Wicks, an “Anonymous Public Servant” claimed Mayor Ron Bacon, Mayor Pro Tem Jessey Gregg and Councilmember Dana Watson are at fault for recent resignations from city officials.
In a statement made Monday by the East Lansing City Council, including all members of the executive board, the city will be opening an investigation relative to the complaints.
The anonymous letter writer said the departure of former and long-time City Manager George Lahanas was “politically motivated,” alongside questioning new budgeting processes through official’s salaries.
Additionally, the complainant mentioned connections between the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Elaine Hardy and members of the Council as cause for unethical behavior and breach of the city charter, alongside additional accusations surrounding internal operations made by the writer.
The writer concluded by asking for an investigation into their complaints against the East Lansing City Council and mentioned officials detailed throughout the letter, calling for “an independent/neutral third party” to take the case.
The Councilmembers, in the statement, said they will be hiring a third-party investigator and that after 90 days, inquiring about the status of the investigation.
Woodruff, MSU leaders move together to dismiss Gupta lawsuit
Seven of Michigan State University’s top administrators — including interim president Teresa Woodruff — agreed to file a single motion to dismiss controversial former business school dean Sanjay Gupta’s lawsuit, which alleges they defamed him in a presidential succession plot.
They will have to file their response by May 22, according to the agreement.
The lawsuit alleges that Woodruff’s decision to remove Gupta from his dean position for a mandatory reporting failure was part of a “power scheme to ensure that Gupta would not be named successor to outgoing former President Samuel Stanley, Jr., and to enhance Woodruff’s personal ambition to become President.”
Woodruff and her alleged co-conspirators are yet to publicly respond to the accusation; she declined to answer questions about it at a recent press availability.
At the board’s April meeting, the first one since the report’s release, faculty and alumni within the business college spoke in support of Gupta, while elected representatives for students and faculty heavily criticized him and the report itself.
Based on original reporting by Amalia Medina, Kelsey Dantuma and Alex Walters.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies with a high of 52 degrees and a low of 33 degrees.
MSU Dean of Students resigned after drunken misconduct, records show
Michigan State University Dean of Students Anthony Williams Jr. voluntarily resigned in February. He received three months of “transitional pay” and told staff that he chose to leave because he was a finalist in a closed-search at another institution.
But Williams’ exit was spurred by his “inappropriate behavior” while at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ regional conference in Chicago, Illinois in November of 2022, according to records obtained by The State News, which were initially withheld by MSU.
While at a hotel bar, Williams engaged in a “level of consumption of alcohol which led to disruptive behavior,” and had “interactions with a female delegate that was perceived as unwanted.” Williams was removed by “security staff,” according to a letter from Williams’ supervisor, which cited witness interviews conducted by MSU Human Resources.
The letter, authored by Vice President of Student Life and Engagement Vennie Gore, said Williams’ conduct was especially disappointing given his responsibilities with reporting and regulating substance use and sexual misconduct amongst the students he oversaw at MSU. Gore wrote the behavior “compromises (Williams’) credibility and effectiveness.”
Nonetheless, Williams entered into a voluntary resignation agreement with MSU.
After his resignation was announced but not explained to his staff, Williams sent them an email apologizing for the department’s “abrupt announcement.” He wrote “it was my decision to resign, and I did so for personal and professional reasons.”
Williams then provided an explanation, writing “I am in the process of pursuing a new opportunity outside of MSU. I am a finalist in a closed search that is coming to an end.”
The university did deny The State News’ request for the letter’s full contents. It argued that remaining portions of the letter fall under another Freedom of Information Act exemption which protects “non-factual,” and “preliminary advisory,” determinations made within public bodies like MSU.
Student plans protest against Board of Trustees following denial of Nassar document release
After Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees denied Attorney General Dana Nessel’s request for thousands of long-withheld documents relating to the disgraced ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar, students reacted furiously and planned to protest the Board’s decision.
Communications and music junior Charlotte Plotzke called for students to join the protest at 11 a.m. on April 25 at the Hannah Administration Building to hold the Board of Trustees accountable.
Plotzke said it filled her with rage that the Board was protecting Nassar, as it was harmful to the community of Spartans, especially those who were abused by Nassar.
Plotzke said students who have experienced sexual assault are going to feel disturbed by the university’s choice.
Valerie Von Frank, the mother of a Sister Survivor and president of a survivor advocacy group, said she was glad that there is a demonstration against the Board of Trustees decision, as the decision affected many students.
Graduating seniors reflect on time as rec sports Zumba instructors
If you found yourself in Holmes Hall on Tuesday night after 9 p.m. you’d hear loud music blasting from Room C105, home of the rec sports Zumba Cardio Dance class.
At the front of the room are instructors, international relations senior Olivia Antal and political science-prelaw senior Jocee Schwass.
The hour-long class consisted of 16 songs broken down into four sets of four. After the first four warm-up songs are played, participants take a small break before coming back together to finish. The last two songs of the class are for participants to cool down before ending with a stretch. It was held from 9:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
Antal and Schwass, who graduate in May, joined the Zumba class as members when they were freshmen and were eventually trained to teach the course.
Due to logistical reasons, Antal and Schwass’ Zumba Cardio Dance class is ending after the spring semester. The final session took place yesterday.
While there are dozens of fitness classes offered through rec sports, MSU Group Exercise Assistant Director Bianca Guess said Zumba is simply fun and lowkey.
Some benefits of group exercise classes are relieving stress and bringing people together, Guess said.
Schwass said she and Antal encourage participants to do what is best for them and their level of comfort.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters, Julius Patto and Maddy Warren.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers with a high of 48 degrees and a low of 32 degrees.
MSU breaks ground on future multicultural center
Construction on the new multicultural center is officially underway after MSU hosted a ground-breaking ceremony on April 21. The project will be the first free-standing multicultural center on campus after decades of student advocacy.
Interim president Teresa Woodruff said the center will be a space for people to have critical conversations, be themselves, have fun and learn. She said the center will be a physical symbol of the university’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Woodruff said the center was intentionally designed to foster this mission. It will have common areas, an amphitheater, outdoor space and room for events and collaboration.
The ceremony last week marked a crucial moment in the decades-long process to create a multicultural center. Miracle Chatman, an alumnus who spent years advocating for the center, said the push began during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. For decades, students protested for increased and improved representation on MSU’s campus.
Senior Vice President for Student Life and Engagement Vennie Gore said a key aspect of planning for the project was the inclusion of student voices. There are 22 student representatives involved in the project, five of whom spoke at the ceremony. There were dozens of other students, alumni, faculty, administrators and staff at the ceremony who were recognized for their efforts throughout the years.
The center will be located at the intersection of Shaw and Farm Lane, this location was chosen specifically because it is the center of campus.
Environmental groups connect with students at fair ahead of Earth Day
The University Activities Board, or UAB, and Associated Students of Michigan State University, or ASMSU, hosted a Sustainability and Resource Fair last Thursday. The event gave students the opportunity to learn about environmental clubs and sustainable practices.
The event was part of ASMSU’s “Earth Week,” a series of events dedicated to promoting sustainability ahead of Earth Day which was Saturday.
Various environmental groups set up stands to share their mission with attendees. Earth Day-themed arts, crafts, and desserts were offered.
Beal Botanical Garden organization members attended to inform students about the resources it provides to students. The organization is also hosting a “Giving Earth Day Drive” to raise money for the garden’s Red Cedar River Restoration Project, which will “tackle invasive species” and restore native habitat.
Also, MSU Sunrise Movement attended to promote their overarching goal of helping MSU to achieve a “green clean future.”
Students ease end-of-semester stress with Afro-Brazilian Capoeira class
The Center of Latin American and Caribbean Studies hosted an introductory Capoeira class at the International Center this past Friday.
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian activity that combines elements of dance, martial arts and music. Approximately 30 students were involved in the class.
A huge goal was that the organization wanted to put an emphasis on the history behind Capoeira.
Center of Latin American and Caribbean Studies Outreach Coordinator Joy Whitten said the practice of Capoeira originated from enslaved people looking to learn how to defend themselves in a discreet manner in Brazil in the 1800s.
Capoeira wasn’t legalized in Brazil until the 1940s, according to Whitten.
Whitten said the Capoeira class offered students an opportunity to “blow off some steam” because of the stress that often accompanies the end of the semester.
Based on original reporting by Amalia Medina, Hannah Holycross and Jaden Beard.
Welcome to the last week of The State for the school year!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly to mostly cloudy skies with a high of 49 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.
MSU board refuses to release Nassar documents to attorney general
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees confirmed this past Friday that it will retain attorney-client privilege over thousands of long-withheld documents relating to the university’s handling of disgraced ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar and not comply with the state attorney general’s recent letter demanding the records.
The request — sent by Nessel in hopes of reopening her investigation into “how and why the University failed to protect students” — includes email and text communications to and from 20 MSU leaders and employees, records of internal complaints and investigations and personnel files of those who worked with and above Nassar during his time at MSU.
The insurers have argued that MSU’s failure to act on reports of Nassar’s abuse leave the university outside its policies and on the hook for the settlement. Today, the legal battles with all but one of those insurers are resolved. If a settlement isn’t reached, MSU and that insurer will resolve the dispute in a jury trial beginning on Oct. 30.
Nessel did release a statement on the board’s decision, saying that she expected more from the board’s new leadership and members.
The “release” of the documents would not immediately make them public, according to MSU Spokesperson Emily Guerrant. They would instead be turned over to Nessel for use in her investigation.
However, with the attorney-client privilege exemption no longer at MSU’s disposal, they could become available through the Freedom Of Information Act. MSU is allowed 15 business days to process those requests, though possible fees and redactions could end up adding additional weeks to the processing time.
ASMSU elects Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of Student Allocations in final election night
Candidates Connor Le and Bhawna Vaswani were elected Vice President of Internal Affairs and Vice President of Student Allocations in the final night of elections for Associated Students of Michigan State University.
Just prior to the meeting being called to start, VPIA candidate Logan Baker pulled out of the race for Vice President of Internal Affairs, leaving Le, a history and political science sophomore, as the only person running.
After taking a quick recess, the next election of the night was for Vice President of Student Allocations, with three candidates ready to step into the role.
Now elected, Vaswani plans to promote transparency, accessibility and inclusivity in the funding process.
New labs and lecture hall unveiled in renovated packaging building
After 14 months of planning and construction, the newly renovated packaging building was unveiled to donors and leadership on the construction of the building. Until this past year, the College of Packaging’s building had not been renovated since 1986.
Following funds raised by donors, groundbreaking began in April 2022. College of Packaging Director Matt Daum said the vision for the renovations came from the history of the school and what alumni have done for the institution.
Daum said the old space needed to be updated for modern-day teaching and research. He also said the old building did not honor the alumni that came through it.
The unveiling ceremony showed off areas including the Ring Container Technologies Innovation Hall, which serves as a collaboration space in the main corridor of the building with open seating and study pods.
Other renovations included laboratory spaces like a sustainability lab, which is a combination of two labs for polymer recycling and paper coating technology.
Interim president Teresa Woodruff said this expansion of the school would “elevate excellence” for years to come, demonstrating the confidence of the future of the College of Packaging.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters, Maddie Dallas and Liz Nass.
Happy Friday!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain early in the day and then remaining cloudy for the rest with a high of 57 degrees and a low of 44 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be cloudy for the majority with mid to higher 40s and possibly low 50s.
Lawmakers eye allowing alcohol sales on campus game days
Michigan State University may be able to start selling alcohol on campus during football, basketball, and hockey games if a bipartisan group of lawmakers have their way.
Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo, introduced the bill to the Senate Tuesday, April 11. This is not the first time a bill permitting campus alcohol sales has been introduced, as former Sen. Curtis Hertel, D-East Lansing, introduced a similar bill last session, but it was never taken up for vote by the Senate.
McCann said he can never speak to the prospects of a bill passing when it is advanced again in the Senate, but with extra time in this legislative session, not taken up by the Midterm election season to pass this bill through, they could get this bill “to the finish line.”
Athletic Director Alan Haller was open to the idea of selling alcohol on game days to enrich the fan experience when it was introduced in the last legislative session. Haller did not believe that it would cause problems and venues and was hopeful that the Senate bill would pass.
McCann said he wants the bill to pass because he does not want to lose students to other state universities outside of Michigan due to game day experiences they could find elsewhere, looking to lead the pack in having “great college experiences.”
The bill has now been referred to the Regulatory Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield.
ASMSU elects new vice president for financial operations
As the current Associated Students of MSU associate vice president of financial operations, Drew Gardner is now moving up to the role of vice president of financial operations, or VPFO.
Before Gardner gave his speech, the general assembly decided four questions they would ask both candidates during their first closed session.
While having a background in understanding the position, Gardner said he also knows how to work with people.
Gardner also noted where ASMSU fell short in the past, including not accommodating rising inflation and providing more funds to CORES and COPS groups on campus.
After the general assembly met for its second closed session for the election of VPFO, it was voted at 1 a.m. that Gardner would serve as the Vice President of Financial Operations for the student body.
Risky Studios hosts grand re-opening in upgraded location, will expand services
Risky Studios, a rentable recording and content production studio, officially reopened on Saturday, April 15 after expanding its space.
Owners Joshua Southern and Alicia Southern have been married for nine years. They initially opened Risky Studios in Downtown East Lansing in January 2022 before beginning renovations in October 2021.
Joshua Southern specializes in visual technology while Alicia Southern specializes in photography. The idea for Risky Studios sparked when the couple realized they could combine their content-creation specialties into one major company.
The business model centers around renting out in-studio resources, like couches for casual video shooting, interchangeable photo backdrops, studio lighting and recording equipment.
Although Risky Studios will still operate out of the same building at 301 M.A.C. Ave., their space has grown. They’ve upgraded from one room to a separate room for each service they provide.
The space now offers music production rooms, podcast rooms and photography studios.
Risky Studio’s clientele is a mixture of Lansing residents, business owners, motivational speakers and most frequently, musicians. Joshua Southern said tapping into the Michigan State University student population will be critical for expanding Risky Studios.
Based on original reporting by Liz Nass, Maddie Dallas and PJ Pfeiffer.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Men’s Tennis, depending on the weather will be either at the MSU Indoor or Outdoor Tennis Center!
- Playing Illinois today at 4 P.M. and Northwestern on Sunday at 12 P.M.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting back to a nicer day with some cloudiness but mostly sunny with a high of 81 degrees and a low of 48 degrees.
ASMSU presidential candidate receives backlash from Jewish Student Union member
In light of the presidential elections for the Associated Students of MSU, there has been much contention surrounding candidate pre-med junior Zaaki Mandwee.
This comes after Mandwee attempted to reintroduce a bill that condemned human rights violations being committed against the people of Palestine by the Israeli Defense forces.
Jewish Student Union ASMSU representative Matthew Zivian said this bill would have put many Jewish students at risk.
Zivian said that a bill mentioning colonization, apartheid or genocide is directly harmful to the legitimacy of Jewish history, because using such words imply that Jewish people are not indigenous to that land.
However, Mandwee noted the bill was one ASMSU had passed before.
Flyers were distributed on campus accusing Mandwee of feeding into harmful attacks on MSU’s Jewish community.
In a written public comment to ASMSU, political theory and constitutional democracy senior Nathan Bryson said Mandwee “has repeatedly displayed antisemitic beliefs and thus … does not represent all MSU students.” Veterinary medicine senior Megan Jones similarly called for “solid, respectful and honest leadership.”
Mandwee said as a representative, he was treated with hostility. He said ASMSU should have investigated the flyers and determined who was responsible to ensure a fair race.
Zivian said prioritizing the safety of Jewish students is immensely important and, to him, reflects very heavily on what he thinks of presidential candidates.
Payton Thorne, Noah Kim headline quarterback competition during final spring practice
Two years ago, redshirt senior quarterback Payton Thorne broke MSU football’s single-season passing touchdown record. Last season was a bit different, as poor play from him and the rest of his offense resulted in some calling for redshirt junior quarterback Noah Kim to take his place.
While head coach Mel Tucker has said that this offseason has been and will continue to be a fight between the two, Thorne and Kim were the ones leading their respective units. Thorne played with the starters and Kim with the second stringers during the final practice of the spring football season.
In the practice, Thorne and Kim were head and shoulders above the rest of the quarterback room, with Thorne having a solid all-around afternoon and Kim making some of the best passes of the scrimmages.
While Kim had a great finish to his day, Thorne got it done both through the air and on the ground throughout the entire afternoon. His most notable drive featured a pass that hit fellow redshirt senior and wide receiver Tre Mosley square in the chest, which allowed him to make a move down the sideline and pick up more than enough yards for a first down. Later, around the 15-yard line, Thorne used his legs to step up in the pocket and then scramble to make a couple defenders miss before reaching the end zone just before time ran out.
Tucker reaffirmed after the practice was over that the quarterback battle will not be resolved anytime soon, and will continue to play out over the summer and fall camp.
With spring football now over with, players will begin their summer workouts before returning to campus in a few months for a new semester and fall practice.
Stoopfest is returning to Lansing. Here’s what to know.
The Stoopfest music festival is returning to Lansing for its sixth year, featuring over 100 artists from various genres, such as folk, ska, hip hop and comedy. The festival will take place on April 20 and 21 in various locations across Lansing’s Eastside neighborhood.
Performances will take place in an eclectic combination of parks, backyards, garages and bars that are within walking distance from each other — a tradition that Stoopfest has maintained since it first began.
Tickets are available to purchase online and also at The Record Lounge in Lansing. One hundred percent of the proceeds are given to the artists that perform throughout the weekend.
The festival’s headliners include JER, Quelle Chris and Vial.
Friday concerts will take place at just three venues with staggered start times. The first concert to kick off the weekend will begin at 6 p.m. at Hunter Park’s Sunset Stage in Lansing. Performances will began at 6:30 p.m. at Theio’s Memorial Stage in Hunter Park. Performances will began at The Avenue — located at 2021 E Michigan Ave — will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Based on original reporting by Dipika Rao, Nick Lundberg and PJ Pfeiffer.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies during the morning hours which will become overcast in the afternoon with a high of 59 degrees and a low of 46 degrees.
MSU board to vote on 7% rate increase for dorms, dining plans
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees will consider a 7% increase in rates for residence halls and dining plans at its meeting Friday. The change is recommended by the university’s department of Student Life and Engagement, which says an increase is needed to keep up with rising inflation.
The proposed hike would see higher rates for the standard double-room and the silver dining-plan option.
The recommendation notes that in seven of the last eight years, room and board rate increases were below 3%, and that this change would help the university “mitigate the impact of inflation.” It also argues that even with the increase, MSU’s room and board pricing will remain “competitively positioned” with other Big Ten universities.
The recommendation also includes a 5% increase for 1855 Place and University Village Apartments and a 3% increase for Spartan Village Apartments.
The board will discuss and vote on the recommended increase before the public comment section of this week’s Friday meeting.
MSU hires external firm to review university response to mass shooting
Michigan State University has hired an external firm to review the university’s response to the Feb. 13 mass shooting.
MSU’s entire response will be evaluated, including action by law enforcement, university operations, support and communication.
The Ohio firm is an independent security consulting organization. According to a university press release, the team includes former law enforcement and public safety executives.
“Their experience working with higher education institutions will be a critical asset as we work to strengthen our response efforts and ensure a safer campus for our community,” MSU interim president Teresa Woodruff said.
Once the review is completed, the firm’s recommendations will be shared with the public.
‘Out of the Darkness’ walkout raises awareness for suicide prevention
In the courtyard between the International Center and Wells Hall this past Sunday, April 16, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention workers and volunteers greeted each other while wearing shirts that read “Hope Walks Here.”
They began preparing for the “Out of the Darkness” campus walkout, which brought over 50 people in support of suicide prevention.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, or AFSP, is a health organization that aims to bring care to those who are battling suicidal thoughts and mourning from its impact. The walkout was held in collaboration with MSU’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services.
Before the walkout began at 1 p.m., attendees were urged pick up different colored beads — each color representing a different reason for why someone is affected by suicide.
Before the walk began, a moment of silence was held for those who have died from mental health issues. Attendees, workers and volunteers raised their beads in the air in unison to show support.
Event organizer Courtney Brown, who works for CAPS, had several goals for the walkout. She wanted to bring awareness to suicide and let people know they don’t have to suffer alone. Brown said she saw “smiling faces despite the purpose” of the event.
Brown hopes that in the future, AFSP’s Michigan chapter can raise enough money to bring more community resources, research and support to those that we’ve lost and are currently fighting.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters, Morgan Womack and PJ Pfeiffer.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with a high of 47 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.
Attorney general renews call for release of MSU board’s Nassar documents
Following a change in board leadership and public pressure at a recent meeting, a letter from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel renews her demand for the release of thousands of documents relating to Michigan State University’s handling of disgraced ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar.
The documents have long been withheld by the university’s Board of Trustees.
In March 2021, under the leadership of then-chair Dianne Byrum, the board privately agreed not to release the documents until related legal disagreements with the university’s insurers were resolved. At the time, MSU was suing 12 insurance companies which argued they didn’t have to pay in settlements to survivors of Nassar’s abuse.
Today, the legal battles with all but one of those insurers are resolved. If a settlement isn’t reached, MSU and that insurer will resolve the dispute in a jury trial beginning on Oct. 30.
The documents include records of internal complaints and investigations, personnel files of those who worked with and above Nassar and any texts or emails relating to Nassar to or from 20 MSU employees and leaders — including current trustee Byrum and board vice chair Dan Kelly.
Nassar is currently serving an effective life sentence for numerous county charges of assaulting young women and girls and federal child pornography charges.
Friday, the board will meet publicly for the first time since the public comments in February and the attorney general’s letter. The agenda has not yet been released.
Students share their research findings at University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum
The Breslin Center was lined with posters, exhibits and displays last Friday as over 900 undergraduate students participated in the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum, or UURAF.
Students talked guests through their work and received constructive feedback from judges. Some students also gave presentations virtually.
Human biology junior Aidan Davis presented the work he did with the Spartan Motor Sport performance lab. He studied the physical stressors of professional race car drivers.
Davis’s research found that females yield a higher G-force tolerance compared to males, giving them an advantage for race-car driving on oval tracks where individuals tend to go through high G-forces. This could be due to the higher estrogen levels in females, which acts as a vasoconstrictor allowing them to undergo high G forces for longer amounts of time, he said.
Biochemistry and molecular biology junior Sam Sanderson presented his research on ovarian cancer that focused on the correlation of the gene TPPP3 and tumor growth in mice.
Sanderson found that the mice that had high levels of the gene had a lower chance of survival compared to the ones with low levels –concluding that getting rid of TPPP3 in their system helps reduce tumor growth.
Sanderson hopes that his findings in the mice can translate to help with ovarian cancer treatment in humans, and that doctors can use TPPP3 amounts in humans as an indication of tumor aggressiveness.
African Student Union invites students to ‘dabble’ in African culture at annual gala
The annual African Student Union gala was back with a ‘Roots to Africa’ theme this year which was held this past Saturday.
The gala’s purpose was to showcase cultures within the different regions of Africa.
The gala is ASU’s biggest event of the year. The gala gave members of ASU, a chance to celebrate their cultures with fellow African students.
‘Roots to Africa’ featured skits, modeling, and a dance performance. The models wore clothes from their respective cultures.
It was held at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown East Lansing and was open to any MSU student who had an interest in learning more about African culture.
Based on original Alex Walters, Hannah Holycross, Jaden Beard.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting sadly not the beautiful weather we had last week but light snow during the morning which will give way to snow showers during the afternoon with a high of 38 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.
STEM event shows future footprint of MSU’s campus
Michigan State University’s Facilities and Land Use Plan team hosted an open house event last week at the STEM Teaching and Learning Building to show community members current ideas for university renovations and receive feedback prior to making any final plans.
The team hosted a similar event in November of last year. The feedback from the fall open house was implemented into the plans presented last week.
The event had a number of ideas written on campus maps on display campus along with a floor map and virtual reality simulations for attendees to view potential structures.
Approximately one-third of the planning process remains unfinished and will be completed based on feedback received from the open houses.
Much of the current plans emphasize protecting natural areas across campus for educational purposes and limiting the number of cars allowed in the heart of campus. The proposal allows for designated parking further from the center of campus and creates more open areas to walk from building to building, specifically around the Shaw and Farm Lane intersection.
Another key component of the planning framework is the idea of building a campus with many hearts in hopes of bringing necessary resources that on-campus buildings lack.
Students were also encouraged to offer feedback to shape the campus structure for incoming students down the road.
MSU’s project team will use the feedback from the open house events to wrap up planning by the end of the summer. The goal is to bring the final framework to MSU’s Board of Trustees by fall or early winter for approval.
While MSU policy allows handouts, students frustrated after being offered Bibles
Accompanying the spring weather last week on campus, dozens of individuals were stationed around campus handing out miniature Bibles to students and others passing by. Some stood outside residence hall buildings as well as other classroom and student-populated buildings.
While MSU policy permits groups giving away handouts, some students expressed feelings of frustration.
“They shouldn’t be allowed to do that because they don’t even necessarily ask,” psychology freshman Ola Turkey said.
Turkey said the manner in which those handing out Bibles conducted themselves also proved to foster feelings of discomfort.
According to MSU policy, permits are only required for certain groups to solicit on campus, specifically those who are selling goods.
“It’s important to remember that MSU is an open campus,” MSU deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen said in a statement. “Individuals may distribute handouts in public areas of the grounds and buildings provided they are not disrupting university activities or services. If an individual feels unsafe at any time, we encourage them to contact the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety.”
LB Itayvion Brown dismissed from team following gun charges
Michigan State linebacker Itayvion Brown has been dismissed from the football team following an incident on March 17, according to court docs.
Brown was arraigned Friday morning in the East Lansing 54B District Court on one count of carrying a concealed weapon, a felony and one count of firearm possession under the influence, a misdemeanor, according to court records. His bond was set at $5,000 and a felony pre-examination conference is scheduled for April 28.
Brown’s attorney Wade Fink said he hasn’t seen any discovery and is not sure exactly what happened yet, but that the allegations do not state that Brown threatened anyone with a weapon.
Following the assault charges in Ann Arbor, Brown and the other six charged players entered a diversionary program allowing the charges to be dropped following the completion of a plan set by the Washtenaw County probation office. Fink said Brown will likely return to court to discuss next steps related to the program.
Brown was also one of seven football players charged with assault following the tunnel incident on Oct. 29, 2022 at the University of Michigan stadium.
Michigan State Athletics released a written statement Friday revealing that Brown was dismissed from the team last month and did not participate in spring practice, which began on March 14.
Based on original reporting by Melanie Soverinsky, Siya Modi and Vivian Barrett.
Happy Friday!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting sunny along with a few afternoon clouds with a high of 82 degrees and a low of 56 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be between the low 70s and low 80s with Saturday partly cloudy and Sunday consisting of showers and scattered thunderstorms.
Sprinkler system causes flooding in men’s wing of Butterfield Hall
On Wednesday, a water flow alarm in Butterfield Hall and an item hanging on the sprinklers led to the men’s wing to flood, leaving students’ belongings wet and damaged.
Following what seemed like a normal false fire alarm, students returned to their dorms. However, the third floor of the men’s wing of the building suffered mild flooding, impacting some students’ dorms. Social media videos of the flooding show the abundance of water on the third floor.
One resident voluntarily relocated to Bryan Hall — pushed a moving cart carrying wet items covered by a towel until his unit dried out.
Director of Communications for the Division of Student Life Engagement Kat Cooper said that the flooding started from a sprinkler having an item hung on it in a dorm room on the third floor A wing. Local cleanup crews were drying carpets as well as working with students if they had property damage.
Cooper said a flood earlier in the day can usually be dried out and resolved before the day is over, so students are not expected to have to relocate.
Tampering with fire systems in student living buildings is a criminal offense, Cooper said. However, there’s no current evidence that this was a malicious event.
For resources or possible compensation for damaged items caused by the flooding, Cooper said students should contact their facilities manager through the Live On website.
How MSU cleans up campus after game days
Following a football Saturday in East Lansing, fans and students file out of their seats, athletes return to the locker rooms and tailgaters pack up their belongings before heading home. All that’s left inside Spartan Stadium are wrappers that once held Melting Moments, hot dogs, an assortment of other concessions snacks, empty plastic bottles and cups — among other waste.
The game is over, but the cleanup is just beginning.
In the hours and days after Michigan State sporting events, many hands help dispose of trash and recyclables.
MSU Recycling Coordinator Dave Smith is one of the main people responsible for post-gameday cleanup.
Smith said his department starts by collecting cardboard from the stadium vendors, before emptying the near 80 recycling containers located on the concourse. They also collect leftover food from vendors to use for compost.
As for the areas outside the stadium, Smith said there are around 300 recycling bins used for the disposal of beverages and other waste.
The recycling team partners with MSU Landscape Services to pick up the trash left outside of the athletic facilities, Smith said.
MSU IPF Communications and Learning Manager Fred Woodhams said Landscape Services is typically staffed with more than 60 people to help clean up campus the morning after home football games.
Smith said tailgaters and fans are encouraged to recycle their own waste on game day in one of the many bins across campus. He even suggests taking the items with them when they leave and dispose of them at home.
As for what’s to come, Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Events Seth Kesler said members of the university’s marketing and fan engagement teams are working to improve sharing information about recycling and waste management for athletic events.
Strange Matter Coffee to open in MSU Union next fall
Strange Matter Coffee will open a new location in the MSU Union this coming fall. The first-floor cafe will feature its full menu of drinks and several food items, including their popular doughnuts and vegan items.
The local company announced the addition in an Instagram post on Monday, alongside a rendered image of the space by East Arbor Architecture. This will be Strange Matter’s third location.
The new coffee shop comes after the Union’s Biggby location closed earlier in 2022. Currently, the main coffee shop on campus is the Starbucks in Wells Hall, where students can stand in line for up to 45 minutes.
Some students said they hope the new store will make getting coffee and baked goods quicker and easier.
Based on original reporting by Claire Grant, Shakyra Mabone, Maddy Warren and Amalia Medina.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Softball will play Minnesota this weekend all at Secchia Stadium!
- Tonight at 5 P.M.
- Tomorrow at 1 P.M.
- Sunday at 1 P.M.
Baseball will play Western Illinois this weekend all at McLane Baseball Stadium!
- Tonight at 6:05 P.M
- Tomorrow at 3:35 P.M.
- Sunday at 1:05 P.M.
Women’s Tennis, both games at the MSU Outdoor Tennis Center!
- Going up against Ohio State today at 5 P.M.
- Playing Penn State on Sunday at 11 A.M.
Football
- MSU Football will bring in the fans to enjoy the Spartan Football Kickoff which will happen after the Izzo Legacy races at 2 P.M. at Spartan Stadium.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mostly sunny skies with a high of 81 degrees and a low of 52 degrees.
Record number of public relations students to graduate this spring
This spring, a record number of Michigan State University students will graduate with a public relations degree.
Twenty-five students completed the public relations graduation requirements.
After the major officially began in fall of 2020, the number of students enrolled has continued to climb over the years. The number of declared public relations students has nearly doubled since spring of 2022, from 89 to 164.
Some of the job titles that public relations professionals have include being an account executive at an agency, content strategist, social media manager and specialist. Many public relations graduates end up working with social media, whether that be on the west coast or in New York City.
Influencer relations are also a growing segment of the industry. This involves working and partnering with influencers and brands.
There are 12 required classes to complete the major and each focuses on a different aspect of public relations practice.
Board hopes to pick president by Thanksgiving, assemble committee in coming days
The chair of the committee searching for Michigan State University’s next president shared an updated timeline and new details. This comes just days before six planned “community input sessions” where students and staff can share their thoughts on what they want out of MSU’s leader.
MSU trustee Dennis Denno, who has been tapped to lead the search, hopes to have a job description by June, so the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller can begin picking candidates.
He said ideally, the board would announce its selection by Thanksgiving in November.
The vacancy was created in October 2022, when former president Samuel L. Stanley Jr. resigned, citing a loss of confidence in the board. The board has appointed former provost Teresa Woodruff to act as interim president.
Denno said they are also currently soliciting “names and ideas” for the full search committee, and that they are hoping to have it completed in time for a series of “community listening sessions” beginning later this week.
Faculty and academic staff can nominate themselves or others to serve on the committee until noon of tomorrow. Those nominations will be reviewed by faculty members on the university’s Steering Committee and communicated to the board, according to an email to staff obtained by The State News.
Also, a presidential search website has been created and includes sections for search updates and community input.
Malik Hall announces his return to MSU for the 2023-24 season
Senior forward Malik Hall joined his teammate, senior guard Tyson Walker, as he announced his return for a fifth and extra year of eligibility with the Spartans Tuesday night. The news was made public on Hall’s personal Twitter account.
Hall has been a key member of Michigan State men’s basketball’s program since 2019, and was easily the most experienced player on the 2022-23 roster.
After sitting out for the majority of the season due to a foot injury, the veteran forward plans to return for one last year in green and white. Head men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo often described Hall as the most versatile player on the 2022-23 roster. Hall is a two-way player who can play a variety of positions.
Hall will rejoin his teammates after a Sweet Sixteen run along with the new players joining the program in the No. 3 recruiting class per 247 Sports.
Based on original reporting by Selma Cogo, Alex Walters and Melanie Soverinsky.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mainly sunny skies with a beautiful high of 80 degrees and a low of 56 degrees.
ASMSU recommends improvements to relationship violence, sexual misconduct training
Michigan State University requires students to take relationship violence and sexual misconduct, or RVSM, trainings, as well as sexual assault and relationship violence, or SARV, prevention trainings. At the Associated Students of MSU, or ASMSU, general assembly meeting last Thursday, representatives passed a bill recommending improvements, including requiring the training to be in-person.
The goal of the bill is to have ASMSU work with the university to create more inclusive in-person training for RVSM and SARV by requiring all of the diverse trainings to be mandatory and in-person.
An amendment was added to say excuses for in-person participation should be allowed, but the main goal is to have yearly in-person trainings for all MSU students.
The bill was passed in a unanimous vote among the general assembly.
Tyson Walker makes it official, will return for third season with MSU
After a breakout second season with Michigan State men’s basketball, senior guard Tyson Walker announced that he will return to the team, using the extra year of eligibility due to COVID, next season.
The news went public on Walker’s Instagram account Monday afternoon with a video breaking the eagerly anticipated news.
Walker was a standout player in Izzo’s backcourt during the 2022-23 season. The starting guard averaged 34 minutes, 14.8 points and 2.9 assists per game. Walker is the first to announce his return out of the other eligible seniors on the roster including graduate student forward Joey Hauser and senior guard Malik Hall.
6 Broadway productions announced for the Wharton Center’s 2023-’24 season
Tickets are now on sale for the Wharton Center’s 2023-’24 Broadway season, which begins on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Six Broadway productions, including musicals and a play will come to Michigan State University’s campus.
First, the season will open with Aaron Sorkin’s play adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird” Oct. 3-8. The classic story follows a lawyer fighting to maintain the innocence of a Black man wrongly accused of rape in Alabama in the 1930s.
Next, last performed at the Wharton Center in 2005, “Hairspray,” a musical directed by Jack O’Brien, is making its return to East Lansing Nov. 28 to Dec. 3. Set in 1960s Baltimore, Hairspray follows teenage Tracy Turnblad as she strives for fame as a dancer on the “Corny Collins Show,” where she advocates for desegregation of the program.
Following, the jukebox musical is back in East Lansing for the sixth time in honor of its 25th anniversary tour from Jan. 16-24, 2024. “Mamma Mia!” is set in Greece to tell the story of a daughter attempting to connect with her real father, told through the music of ABBA.
Next, “Funny Girl,” will come Feb. 6-11, 2024. It is based on the story of Fanny Brice, a girl from lower Manhattan who, despite being told that she will not succeed in the industry, becomes one of the greatest icons within musical theater.
Then, April 2-14, 2024 will highlight “Moulin Rouge!” which is a jukebox musical written by John Logan, based on the 2001 film. It follows a composer who falls in love with a cabaret actress in the 20th century.
Finally, The Wharton Center will close its Broadway season May 14-19, 2024 with “Six,” the story of which one of Henry VIII’s wives had it the worst, as told through a pop concert battle written by Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow.
Based on original reporting by Maddie Dallas, Melanie Soverinsky and Jaden Beard.
Happy Tuesday! Hopefully everyone had a great Easter weekend!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds later in the day with a high of 72 degrees and a low of 56 degrees.
ASMSU passes bill encouraging creation of memorial bench
Typically, the 100th bill in each Associated Students of MSU session is looked at as more of a light topic, but this year it was different.
Bill 59-100 proposed that ASMSU use its funds to provide MSU Infrastructure, Planning and Facilities with money to build a memorial in the form of a bench that honors the lives of the victims of the tragic events of Feb. 13.
Vice President for Internal Administration Carl Austin Miller Grondin said this bill was inspired by the recent strength in the community.
Representatives encouraged each other to be thoughtful in thinking about how the students lost should be remembered.
This bill was passed with a unanimous vote within the general assembly. Representatives added in amendments regarding collaboration on the placement of the memorial from students, faculty and all those affected by this tragedy.
GoFundMe created for 19-year-old crash victim’s family
A car accident on the intersection of Lake Lansing Road and Coolidge Road in East Lansing left two dead and six wounded. Kai Edward Ljubicic has been identified as one of the two who died.
The family has created a GoFundMe page to raise money for his memorial.
The donation page said Ljubicic loved creating music, writing, and animals and that he was “happiest by water” with his friends and family.
Out of the six crash survivors, two have been discharged from the hospital. One survivor remains in critical condition and the rest are in stable condition, including a survivor who was airlifted to the University of Michigan hospital.
The crash, which involved two cars, is under ongoing investigation.
25th annual Research and Arts Forum will showcase work of over 900 students
More than 900 students will present research projects at the 25th annual Undergraduate University Research and Arts Forum, or UURAF, on Friday, April 14. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their work to their peers, faculty and judges who will provide constructive feedback.
This year, UURAF will be a hybrid event, held both at the Breslin Center and online. Virtual presentations will be showcased from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This year’s exhibition will feature roughly 600 posters. In past years, the artistic work showcased has taken the form of films, music and graphic design. There were over 1,000 creative submissions this year.
Past research projects include an analysis of how social media affects the outcome of elections, how medicine labels could be made more effective and how retirees can better manage their health care.
A Graduate School Recruitment Fair will coincide with the presentations for the first time this year, giving students a look into educational, research and career programs at MSU.
An awards ceremony, open to the public, will be held on Wednesday, April 26 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility.
Based on original reporting by Maddie Dallas, Dipika Rao and Jaden Beard.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mainly sunny with a high of 51 degrees and a low of 33 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be higher 50’s going into low 60’s and mostly sunny with some possible clouds for tomorrow.
East Lansing City Council approves grant application for Hannah Community Center construction
The East Lansing City Council voted to approve a resolution for an application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources through the Spark Grant program this past Tuesday.
The grant program funds the creation, renovation or redevelopment of public opportunities for residents and visitors and doesn’t require the city to contribute the same amount of money to the project as it receives from the grant.
If approved, the city of East Lansing would receive an amount to construct a pavilion, electrical service, a drinking fountain, walkway improvements and reconstruction of the parking lot, basketball courts and associated landscaping at Hannah Community Center off of Abbott Road.
Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg said she sent an application to the grant program because of the added shade structure the pavilion gives to spectators that visit the soccer fields, the water bottle filling opportunities from a water fountain and adding a rentable space to the city’s park amenities.
The council also voted to approve a measure recognizing ‘No Mow May’, during which residents are encouraged to hold off on mowing their lawns until June to conserve energy, reduce carbon emissions and produce less waste from lawn clippings.
Bandana painting project brings awareness to violence against migrant women
Justice for Migrant Women, a non-profit civil rights organization, hosted a project as a part of MSU’s “It’s On Us Week,” a week filled with events to raise awareness for sexual violence.
The project, called the Bandana Project, is meant to shed light on the importance of speaking up for the sexual violence that migrant women face in the agricultural industry. Participants painted bandanas with supportive messages.
The event was held in the Brody Square Atrium and students were able to sit down and learn about the issue as well as paint.
Students were interested in the idea of participating in a hands-on activity rather than just hearing about the issue.
The bandanas will be displayed in Brody and then turned into a “traveling display” to continue to promote the cause.
MSU appoints new Director of Sustainability after year-long vacancy
Michigan State University appointed Harvey Amoe III, commonly known as Chip, to the role of Director of Sustainability on Wednesday.
The position has been vacant since Amy Butler died in January 2022. Butler served as MSU’s first sustainability director and took on the role in 2018. MSU sustainability employees such as Sustainability Program Coordinator Laura Young stepped up to handle responsibilities until the position was filled.
Amoe will begin his role as director on April 10 following a five-year tenure as the first Director of Sustainability for Henry Ford Health Systems in Detroit.
Amoe will lead MSU in ensuring the university achieves climate neutrality by 2050. He will develop and implement a sustainability plan that aligns with the MSU’s 2023 strategic plan. The plan, unveiled by former President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., seeks to expand upon trends in six areas: student success, staff and faculty success, innovation for global impact, sustainable health, stewardship and sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.
Amoe told The State News he is excited for the opportunity to work at MSU, as the university’s current sustainability efforts align with the ones he aimed to achieve at Henry Ford.
His goal is to address climate change and its threat to human health in the best way possible during his time at MSU, he said.
Amoe’s goals aren’t focused strictly on East Lansing — he wants to lead by example to have a larger reach with his efforts. Satellite campuses and communities across the state can be benefited from the opportunities at MSU, he said.
Based on original reporting by Maggie George, Maddie Dallas and Hannah Holycross.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Softball will play Iowa this weekend all at Secchia Stadium!
- Tonight at 5 P.M.
- Tomorrow at 1 P.M.
- Sunday at 1 P.M.
Baseball will play Ohio State this weekend all at McLane Stadium!
- Tonight at 6:05 P.M
- Tomorrow at 3:35 P.M.
- Sunday at 1:05 P.M.
Men’s Tennis, both games at the MSU Outdoor Tennis Center!
- Going up against Ohio State today at 4 P.M.
- Playing Penn State on Sunday at 12 P.M.
For our last announcement, a little fun fact is that I actually do the prepping for this podcast the night before, and due to Sunday being Easter and my personal religious beliefs there will be no episode airing next Monday.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting sunshine along with some cloudy intervals with a high of 48 degrees and a low of 30 degrees.
Final MSU shooting survivor released from Sparrow Hospital to other facility
The final student who was critically injured during the Feb. 13 shooting on Michigan State University’s campus has been released from Sparrow Hospital to a separate facility on Tuesday, April 4, according to a post on MSU Police and Public Safety’s Twitter account.
The tweet was not clear about what facility the student was released to.
According to the tweet, the released student was listed “in critical condition, but stable when discharged from the hospital.”
Four other students had been released on previous dates. All five students have now been released from Sparrow Hospital.
Sparrow Hospital has not released any names of survivors, however, some of their names have been identified through GoFundMe pages or social media posts.
Petition demands end to MSU’s gambling deal, in line with interim president’s goal
A group of MSU faculty has begun circulating a petition demanding an end to the university athletics department’s controversial partnership with Caesars Sportsbook. This comes shortly after new rules from the American gambling industry’s internal regulatory group which threaten the deal.
The petition was first posted around 10:15 a.m. Tuesday and by 4:30 p.m., it had 154 signatures. The vast majority of those signatures came from current and former faculty, with the rest coming mostly from current students and parents.
Community sustainability professor John Kerr, who led the petition, said they were inspired to act by the mental health issues they worked to accommodate following the mass shooting on MSU’s campus. He said while he and his colleagues were working to help struggling students, he saw the deal as “doing the opposite by sponsoring online gambling,” which can be addictive and unhealthy for developing brains.
Interim president Teresa Woodruff’s remarks occurred at a January Faculty Senate meeting, where she questioned the Caesars partnership and said she would be ordering her staff to look into the matter.
The deal with Caesers was not negotiated by Woodruff. It is overseen by the MSU Athletics Department, specifically Athletic Director Alan Haller.
The deal includes broadcasts and video advertisements for Caesars during games, emails to MSU’s database of students, free tickets to games and seats on teams’ private planes for Caesars employees, as well as the non-specific clause which allows the company to “Caesarize” the tailgating spaces outside of Spartan Stadium.
Beyond that, the specifics of the deal are unclear, as a sports-marketing firm acts as a middleman between MSU and Caesars to ensure the contract is not subject to public records requests.
Capital City Film Fest brings global multimedia experience to Lansing
The annual Capital City Film Festival will bring live music, independent films and art exhibition to Lansing which started yesterday and will run through April 15.
Festival manager Emma Selby said that the scope of the festival has grown since she became involved with the event in 2019. Over 100 films will be shown, many of them being short films. Over 60 hours of content will be played across three different venues, she said.
The festival “aims to take spaces that aren’t traditionally theaters and turn them into high-quality theaters for the public to enjoy,” Selby said. The three main festival event sites are the former Franker Sears building at 3131 E. Michigan Ave., the Lansing Public Media Center at 2500 S. Washington Ave. and The Fledge at 1300 Eureka St.
The warehouse of the Sears was transformed into a theater and the former retail space was re-imagined into an art exhibition with art representing all seven continents.
Selby describes the opening night feature as a “coming-of-age, comedy drama.”
Tonight from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Capital City Film Festival is hosting a Red-Carpet Premiere party following opening night at Sears. The event will feature appetizers, DJ John Beltran and a collection of “Just a Vibe” short films.
Tickets to the festival can be found on the Capital City Film Festival’s website.
Based on original reporting by Dan Netter, Alex Walters and Jaden Beard.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting variable clouds and becoming windy with strong thunderstorms. This could lead into possible damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms with a high of 70 degrees and a low of 34 degrees.
MSU Union reopening welcomes students back almost two months after shooting
The MSU Union welcomed the community of students and staff back into the building at 8 a.m. on Monday. Counselors from Counseling and Psychiatric Services, faculty, priests and student employees delivered speeches during the reopening ceremony.
The first-floor lounges, computer labs and Sparty’s are now open.
On the third floor, there is a reflection room for any community members to visit where thousands of messages from schools and communities across the country show their support and love for MSU following the tragedy on Feb. 13.
Chief Communications Officer for Student Life and Engagement Kat Cooper said the Union was built to honor students and with the difficulty of reopening being present, it is needed for the community.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services is on the third floor of the MSU Union and in the Olin Health Center. Therapy dogs were also present in the Union on the day of the reopening.
Historic season for MSU gymnastics ends at Pittsburgh regionals
After a historic season, the Michigan State gymnastics team will not be advancing to the NCAA National Championship. Similarly to last year, MSU finished the regional final in third place, just behind two of the top teams in the country.
The difference between Arizona in fourth place and California in first was .600.
From start to finish, the Pittsburgh regional finals were competitive and down to fractions of a point.
Michigan State struggled slightly in the second round last Friday. There were some falls and small mishaps that slowly added up, but luckily for the Spartans, their overall performance allowed for them to advance to the regional final on Sunday.
Where there were uncertainties on Friday but there was confidence on Sunday. Everything the Spartans did to kick off their first rotation in the regional final on the balance beam was exactly what they were lacking last Friday.
Unfortunately for the Spartans, rotation three on vault is where the meet started to run away from them.
Although the Spartans started rotation three in second place, they ended the third rotation in last.
Michigan State’s final rotation was the highlight of the meet, but the other teams did exactly what they needed to and more.
Michigan State finished in third place — just one spot behind what the team needed to qualify, and it was just .150 that kept them from going to Texas for nationals.
Community votes to decide names for baby peregrine falcons raised at MSU
Pickles, Muhammad, Egbert and Swooper.
These are the names of soon-to-be-hatched baby peregrine falcons cared for by the Michigan State University Fisheries and Wildlife Club (FWC).
Over five years ago, a pair of peregrine falcons named Freyja and Apollo flew around Spartan Stadium. FWC noticed them and decided to create a nesting box to see if they could create offspring — and they did.
There are currently four eggs in the “haven” box that can be watched on a 24/7 live stream video online. The nesting box is supported by the Michigan State University Forestry department, ASMSU and private donors.
The FWC held a Chili Cookout last Friday to announce the names of the baby peregrines. Name suggestions were submitted by both Jonesville Community School District students and the FWC. Attendees cast votes for their picks by way of monetary donations to the club.
The Chili Cookoff event also included several competitions: a side dish competition, a dessert competition and a cornhole tournament. Nearly everyone who came brought at least one dish and 16 teams participated in games of cornhole.
According to fisheries and wildlife senior Evan Griffis, the Chili Cookoff was previously held in a classroom where very few students and almost no faculty came to support the club.
This year was different. 80 people from across Michigan and different backgrounds — MSU students, professors and students of surrounding schools — came to take part.
Based on original reporting by Julius Patto, Bella Johnson and PJ Pfeiffer.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting showers in the morning with isolated thunderstorms arriving in the afternoon with a high of 54 degrees and a low of 49 degrees.
Areas of MSU campus expected to close due to flooding
Through tomorrow, the National Weather Service is predicting MSU’s Red Cedar River will exceed its minor flood stage on campus. Certain campus parking lots and sidewalks will be closed if it does.
Once the river water returns to its normal height, some of these areas may still remain closed as crews move in to clean up any debris left behind.
Students are advised to avoid any walkways, roads, lots or ramps that are closed in case the water depth and speed are worse than they appear. Anyone traveling throughout campus should give themselves enough time to get to where they’re going.
For a list of expected areas being closed, visit The State News website.
MSU Police examines alert system following concern for delayed, vague alerts
Following confusion and panic from students and faculty about the MSU safety alerts during the March 22 incident involving a knife shown at a restaurant, questions are being posed about the efficiency of the alert system itself. Prior, during the February 13 mass shooting on campus, students also reported receiving alerts at different times than their peers.
Within MSU’s police department, the emergency management division is in charge of the alert operational system itself.
According to MSU police, specifically for SMS messages, all texts go out in one batch once the message is sent from their end. However, this depends on the recipient’s phone service, cell towers and Wi-Fi, which could result in delays.
Another option would be to download the SafeMSU app, which is now able to receive the same alerts. This could potentially be more efficient because receiving the alert would be based on internet service or network login, as opposed to cell service and the position of cell towers, MSU police communications manager Dana Whyte said.
Regarding the email notifications, the delay is likely a fault of the university email system which batches emails to students, even though emails go out all at once through the overarching notification system, called Everbridge.
The system is also being evaluated for a potential change, though MSUPD has another year left in its contract with Everbridge.
ASMSU general assembly elections coming soon
The Associated Students of MSU, or ASMSU, is planning to build next year’s general assembly and Office of the President. The election cycle began yesterday and lasts through Sunday, April 9.
The general assembly is comprised of different representatives from different departments, schools and student organizations at MSU.
The process to apply to be a representative on the general assembly involves submitting an application with a letter explaining why the student is interested, what their goals are and something they want to do on campus. Each college has a set number of people who need to petition to get their name on the ballot.
Aside from students running and campaigning, there is another side to ASMSU elections. The Undergraduate Elections Committee, or UEC, helps to ensure the whole process goes smoothly.
ASMSU recruitment and engagement coordinator Benjamin Fox said the committee meets a few times a year to facilitate and run all elections.
Applicants needed to have the correct number of signatures their college requires and all other materials in the packet. If they didn’t have the required signatures, ASMSU reached out and told them an alternative way to run, Fox said.
General assembly representatives are responsible for representing the body of students they’re speaking on behalf of.
Students can vote in the spring 2023 general assembly election by visiting studentelections.msu.edu.
Based on original reporting by Selma Cogo, Siya Modi and Maddie Dallas.
Happy April!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies in the morning which will gave way to cloudy skies during the afternoon with a high of 62 degrees and a low of 41 degrees.
Awareness week brings sexual violence prevention campaign to MSU campus
Bringing sexual assault prevention education programs to campus, Michigan State University’s spring “It’s On Us Week of Action” will begin today and will run through Friday, April 7.
MSU’s Prevention, Outreach and Education, or POE, department hosts a week of student-led programs and events twice a year as a chapter.
POE peer education manager Alex Babbitt said a primary mission is to make the nationwide campaign specific to MSU. Babbitt said the department is particularly proud the initiative is “student-driven, but staff-supported.”
The week will open with two events today: a tabling event outside of Wells Hall from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. featuring free giveaways and a healthy relationships vision-boarding activity in the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On Tuesday, students, faculty and staff can attend a “Lunch and Learn” about healthy boundaries at Brody Hall in room 175 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The program, which focuses on determining personal boundaries and how to enforce them, is part of a three-part personal empowerment series hosted by POE throughout the year.
On Wednesday, a Bandana Project activity will be held in Brody Square from noon to 2 p.m. The Bandana Project is a national campaign that raises awareness about sexual violence in farm worker communities.
A virtual and cyber safety workshop will take place on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Brody Hall room 175. Lastly, the week will end with a plant pot painting activity outside Wells Hall on Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Michiganders rally for acceptance on transgender day of visibility
Braving the rain and wind, a group of LGBTQ+ advocates and allies took to the steps of the Capitol last Friday morning to both celebrate transgender people and demand justice for members of the transgender communities.
Transgender Day of Visibility, an international holiday, provided a backdrop for the event, and speakers emphasized the importance of protecting transgender youth in the face of several bills that have been introduced in multiple states across the nation which target transgender people.
Cassandra Harding, a transgender woman who spoke at the rally, said efforts around the country to criminalize gender-affirming healthcare are equivalent to child abuse.
Harding shared her obstacles with the health care system as a trans adult. She said that many doctors did not know how to prescribe her hormone medications and she would often wait months to receive gender-affirming care.
The American Civil Liberties Union maps states with anti-LGBTQ+ laws both in action and that is a pending passage. The map has bills and laws in 27 states that would restrict or ban access to gender-affirming healthcare services, including access to puberty blockers or gender reassignment surgeries.
Organizers of the rally in Lansing said these types of regulations, even if they’re still stuck in state legislatures, can be harmful to the mental and physical well-being of transgender people, especially youth.
Speakers at the rally said even though bills threatening transgender rights may not be on the table in Michigan because of the Democratic majorities in both chambers, they still pose a danger to transgender people throughout the country.
GSCC to host annual Pride Prom in celebration of ‘resilience, community’
Prom is often cited as a rite of passage for high school students. Gender and Sexuality Campus Center assistant director Oprah Revish said many members of the LGBTQIA2s+ community don’t get the opportunity to celebrate prom during their high school years.
This led the GSCC to the idea of hosting a ‘re-do’ in college.
The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, or GSCC, hosted its annual Pride Prom this past Saturday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.
Pride Prom is a tradition that has been upheld on campus for over a decade. Revish said the purpose of the event is to celebrate resilience and community.
The theme of the event was ‘Pixels and Power-Ups.’ Revish said this resonates with a lot of the students she knows, who have an interest in video games.
This year’s prom, Revish said, was especially important due to recent legislation that has been passed throughout the country — citing attacks of gender-affirming care, the barring of transgender athletes from sports teams and the banning of books that showcase queer characters.
Based on original reporting by Vivian Barrett, Lily Guiney and Jaden Beard.
Happy last day of March!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain in the morning and scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon with a high of 58 degrees and a low of 45 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be higher 40s and low 50s with a mix of some showers and sun.
MSU Union to reopen April 3, Berkey to remain closed through fall 2023
Michigan State University administrators have finalized decisions on two sites of a mass shooting on campus last month.
Berkey, an academic building where the gunman killed two students in classrooms, will remain closed through the fall semester. The MSU Union, where a third student was killed, will begin reopening this upcoming Monday. Both buildings have been closed to the public and their staff since the shooting on Feb. 13.
The reopened Union will include the Sparty’s and Spartan Spirit Shop retail stores, as well as thousands of square feet of study areas and reservable rooms available to students.
April 3 will be “more of a soft opening,” according to Vice President of Student Life and Engagement Vennie Gore. University tours will remain at the Kellogg Center and much of MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services will continue to operate offsite.
Staff of the Union food court, as well as the Sparty’s and Spartan Spirit Shop stores, will be offered relocation if they want to continue their employment but don’t want to return to work in the MSU Union. Gore said his department is lucky to be large enough that students and full-time staff can maintain their employment while working somewhere else on campus.
Hippo Campus, Danny Brown bring a unique genre-mix to annual spring concert
A unique blend of music genres was brought to the Breslin Center Tuesday night with a performance by indie-rock band Hippo Campus and singer, songwriter and rapper Danny Brown.
The performance was put on in collaboration by the University Activities Board (UAB), Impact 89FM and the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) for the annual spring concert at MSU.
While the contrast in genres might have brought more people to the show, some audience members were surprised by the two different sounds — like marketing sophomore Jenna Hemmes, who said Brown’s music was a “lot more heavy” than Hippo Campus’s discography.
Seeing Hippo Campus perform was a “nice break from life” for the audience, Hemmes said.
MSU Pickleball Association gains speed this year
Pickleball may sound like a strange term for a sport but it’s the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Three years ago, pickleball was brought to Michigan State University through the MSU Pickleball Association.
The sport is played on a mini-version of a tennis court and uses paddles and a wiffle ball. Pickleball can be played between two or four players and the game requires quick reflexes, calculated strategy and teamwork.
Newly managed by a board of students, the MSU Pickleball Association gives students who are interested in pickleball an opportunity to try it out or to increase their skill. Three members of the board – mechanical engineering senior Trent Warren, accounting senior Nicholas Spadafore and human biology senior Matthew Hoffman – were excited to take over after the previous president stepped down because pickleball was popular in their hometown.
Flexibility is the best thing about the association, Spadafore said. Both beginners and experienced players can attend practices and tournaments are optional.
Members of the MSU Pickleball Association use practice time not only to play but also to meet new people and become a part of the community.
The board hopes the association will continue to grow as it has in the past year and as they plan more tournaments and gain more members. Though it hasn’t been easy, Hoffman says the board enjoys the work that they do.
MSU Pickleball Association holds practices twice a week: A formal practice on Thursdays from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and open play on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at IM East. The association plans to hold fundraisers and more tournaments in the future.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters, Jaden Beard and Ellie Young.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Today
- Track and Field will do their Spartan Invitational at 10AM.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds with a high of 47 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.
New National gambling rules threaten MSU-Caesars Sportsbook $9 million partnership
The American Gambling Association adopted new rules on Tuesday, which would disallow partnerships between colleges and sports-betting companies, challenging Michigan State Athletics’ deal with Caesars Sportsbook, according to the association’s website.
The American Gambling Association, or AGA, is not a government agency, rather a group of casinos and online gambling firms that regulate the industry through an internally-enforced code of rules. Caesars is not a member of the AGA, but is still bound by the guidelines it creates, according to AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark.
Individuals and members are asked to submit complaints to the AGA if they suspect firms of breaking their rules and those would then be investigated by a review board, according to the organization’s policy. Though, Clark says there has only been one recorded code violation and that firm shifted into compliance before intervention was even needed.
It’s not entirely clear how MSU will react to these new rules. When asked if he believes if the Caesars deal could continue, Clark said “you’re gonna have to ask and Caesars about their particular partnership. But from a strict code situation, any new partnerships will be prohibited, and any expansion would likely be prohibited.”
The partnership has been criticized nationally by regulators, lawmakers, and addiction experts for encouraging students to partake in gambling, which studies have found is disproportionately dangerous and addictive for young people.
The now-moot deal includes broadcasts and video advertisements for Caesars during games, emails to MSU’s database of students, free tickets to games and seats on teams’ private-planes for Caesars employees, as well as the non-specific clause which allows the company to “Caesarize” the tailgating spaces outside of Spartan Stadium.
The new rules also prohibit NIL deals between college players and sports-betting companies.
Astrophysicist encourages listeners to reach for the stars
Hakeem Oluseyi — an astrophysicist, author, STEM educator, inventor, voice actor and TV personality — recently spoke at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams Auditorium.
He was recently a science education lead in the Space Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. There, he provided leadership and management to science education investments.
Oluysei’s said in his speech that his scientific research had much to do with “hacking stars.” His goal is to better understand the works of the universe and to develop new and innovative technologies to bring science forward.
His goal with science education is to convey information effectively and efficiently. He likes to share the perks of being a scientist.
Growing up in a poor home in rural Mississippi, he said is driven to provide an education that allows an equal opportunity to African American children of all backgrounds.
He said teaching people to believe in themselves is mind-blowing.
MSU Blood Drive Showdown to take place April 5
MSU’s university blood initiative chapter, or UBI, will hold its second annual Battle of the Mitten against the University of Michigan on Wednesday, April 5 from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in West Holmes Hall.
UBI coordinator Ben McColl said there will be signs directing participants. All donors who present a valid email will receive an e-gift card.
The blood from the drive will be used locally at hospitals like Sparrow and McLaren.
UBI president Morgan James said the theme is going to be different this year, in light of the mass shooting on Feb. 13.
“It’s not just going to be the blood battle,” James said. “It’s also going to be remembering the victims that were lost during our shooting because blood could have helped a lot of those victims, so we wanted to tie it in.”
James said UBI would prefer to have fewer walk-ins this year and more appointments.
Donors are encouraged to get plenty of sleep, food and water prior to donating. Plan on the donation taking about an hour. Donors should bring a photo ID with their date of birth listed on it and know the names and dosages of any medications that they are taking, or any out-of-country travel they’ve done in the past three years.
For those interested, appointments can be made online.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters and Selma Cogo.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting snow during the morning which will give way to partly cloudy conditions during the afternoon with a high of 40 degrees and a low of 21 degrees.
From East Lansing to Birmingham, Alabama: NABJ gears up for the 2023 National Black Journalism convention
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), a student journalist organization at Michigan State University, is once again fundraising for the opportunity to attend the National Journalism convention, which will take place this year in Birmingham, Alabama.
The convention will take place this summer on Aug. 2 to Aug. 6, providing an experience for Black journalists to network, connect with young journalists like themselves and to even see and meet some of their journalist inspirations.
NABJ has been a part of MSU’s and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci) history since 2016 when Treasure Roberts brought the organization back to life. NABJ focuses on professional development, helping MSU students regardless of their major develop interview skills and gain hands-on experience. Through hard work, dedication, and professionalism, NABJ has been a Black organization that has impacted the Black students inside ComArtSci.
Journalism senior Lily Cross is the current president of NABJ for the 2022-23 school year. She said NABJ is a club that’s all about community and wants to bring that life into the halls of ComArtSci and beyond.
Journalism sophomore Jaden Hawkins is the membership outreach chair of NABJ for the 2022-23 school year. She said the convention has helped prepare her to professionally present herself to her idols she meets at the convention. Hawkins also said her idols introduce her to other journalism careers that she never thought of.
NABJ’s executive board also works to prepare members for the convention through conversations about what to wear, what questions to ask and what documents to bring. Hawkins said even though she wasn’t prepared for her first convention, which was in 2021, she now knows what to do.
Aside from the convention, MSU’s chapter of NABJ is always open to new members and any MSU students who want to attend the workshops they provide. The club is open to students who want to prepare for the professional world and seek a sense of community and belonging among the busy lives of MSU students.
MSU student creates trading cards featuring little-known, influential women in history
Shawna Morton, a strategic communication master’s student, is bringing attention to important women in history, one card at a time.
Morton came up with the idea to create trading cards inspired by influential, obscure women that have made essential contributions to various fields. Her collection of 41 trading cards was inspired by the limited acknowledgment of women she encountered throughout her education.
Morton said that many times, society focuses on women’s appearance and beauty rather than their ideas and accomplishments. With the trading cards, she said, she wanted to redirect that focus and highlight their work, instead.
She said it is easier to find unknown women of color because history books detail a lot more about white women.
This year, Morton worked with second and third-graders from Donley Elementary School to help students create a piece of art inspired by the women they learned about.
Morton and art teacher Amy Miros facilitated a project where students selected, researched and painted one of the featured women. The art is displayed at Lansing’s Impression 5 Museum until March 31 and the community opening ceremony was held on March 5th.
Though none of the students knew any of the women on their cards, Morton said many students gravitated towards certain women, such as Temple Grandin, Razia Sultana and Marie Curie.
Morton noticed many attitude and idea changes among students as the project developed.
At the gallery’s opening ceremony, Morton noted that she and many of the parents became very emotional. She said because of the recent tragedy at Michigan State University, seeing the community and kids coming together during this time was a gratifying display of resilience.
‘Career closet clothing drive’ will provide students with free professional clothing
MSU Career Services Network has launched a “career closet” initiative where students can gain access to professional clothing that they may need for interviews, conferences and events.
The network will be hosting a “professional clothing drive” until Friday, April 28 to obtain more clothes for the initiative. People are encouraged to donate gently used professional and business casual clothing.
The two locations that are open for drop-offs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
is the Student Services Building and the Career Services Office.
The program is dedicated to providing students with clothing so they can walk into a professional environment feeling comfortable and confident, coordinators Victoria Morris and Ellise Lee said.
Students can borrow the outfits for two weeks at a time but visit the closet as often as needed.
Following the drive’s Monday, March 20 launch, enough donations have been received to put together numerous outfits. Donations are sought through April to collect a diverse selection of items.
The initiative is also holding an online fundraiser to raise money in case they need to purchase sizes that are not collected during the drive.
The Career Services Network will host a grand opening for the professional closet in the fall. Morris said it will be well stocked just in time for fall career fairs.
Based on original reporting by Shakyra Mabone, Jada Vasser, Dipika Rao and Hannah Holycross.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting considerable cloudiness with a high of 48 degrees and a low of 33 degrees.
Spartan Spirit Shop temporarily suspends in-person graduate gear sales
For those graduating this spring, bachelor’s graduation gear went on sale last Monday, March 20. As of now, graduation gear is available for purchase online only through the Spartan Spirit Shop website.
According to the website, pick-up has been temporarily suspended. Alternative locations for bachelor’s and master’s graduation gear will be at the Kellogg Center from April 5 to 7 and April 17 to 19 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In the meantime, gear is available for shipment.
According to Spartan Spirit Shop employee Abby Hand, exclusively online ordering comes after Grad Fest. Grad Fest is typically held at the MSU Union, which is the primary Spartan Spirit Shop location. Because of the Union’s closure, the event was canceled for the semester.
Everything you need to know about water quality on MSU’s campus
From complaints of hair turning orange to an overall dislike for the “metallic” after-taste, some students wonder if the water on Michigan State University’s campus is safe to use.
Upon moving to campus, some students might discover that the water conditions differ greatly from that of their home communities.
Agribusiness management sophomore Lilley Koby lived in Hubbard Hall for transitional housing and said the water smelled metallic and didn’t seem safe to drink.
Koby said she dyed her hair blonde and after one week of using campus water, her hair was turning red.
IPF Communications and Learning Manager Fred Woodhams is aware of these complaints from students but wants them to know that the water on campus is in fact safe.
Woodhams said that he and the IPF department recognize that students at MSU come from all parts of Michigan and all different parts of the country, meaning they come from areas that may condition their water to a different standard than MSU does.
Manager of East Lansing Meridian and Sewer Authority, Joel Martinez, said the water they supply to Brody Neighborhood is just as filtered as the MSU system, if not more, since their water system removes more than just iron, but calcium and magnesium as well.
When it comes to the taste of the water, many students aren’t attuned to the metallic taste many have said the water has, leading many to resort to plastic water bottles as their primary drinking source.
To reduce the number of students using plastic water bottles, Woodhams said the IPF has installed more than 200 filtered water bottle stations across campus so that students and staff can fill up reusable water bottles with freshly filtered water.
For students who are worried about the water impacting their hair color or skin health, Woodhams said he recommends students install a filtered shower head for their space to filter out the minerals in the water.
But Martinez said MSU’s water is “not unsafe in any way,” even if the taste is a little unpleasant.
MSU Dairy Farms offers days for students to de-stress by petting cows
Michigan State University students have experienced unique stressors during the spring semester. MSU’s Dairy Teaching and Resource Center is looking to help soothe this by welcoming the public to spend quality time with their cows and calves.
The center is inviting students to “de-stress by petting MSU cows and calves” on Friday, April 21 and Friday, May 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
MSU Dairy Farm Manager Jim Good said the purpose of this event is for people to de-stress by forming a connection with the animals. Following the mass shooting on MSU’s campus, the MSU farms came together to host a similar petting event, which Good said inspired them to keep the program going at the cattle farm.
Good said he saw the positive effects that petting the cattle had during the last event.
Several East Lansing local businesses sponsored the event, providing food and beverages to those who came out to the farms. Good said he anticipates that this will continue into future events.
The MSU Dairy farms are open to the public throughout the year, but Good said that this is a “special hands-on” opportunity to interact with the MSU cows and cattle.
For those interested the farm is located at 4075 College Road in East Lansing.
Based on original reporting by Siya Modi, Ellie Young, Hannah Holycross and Jaden Beard.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mostly cloudy with snow showers during the morning with a high of 44 degrees and a low of 27 degrees.
Inside MSU’s diversity, equity, inclusion report
Michigan State University released its annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion report for the 2022-2023 academic year. The summaries are organized into four different goals: increase diversity, ensure equity, promote inclusion and enhance outreach/engagement.
“With action items backed by senior leaders and aligned with the university strategic plan, MSU is positioned to advance systems-change efforts and further foster inclusive excellence across campus,” Terrence L. Frazier, the special assistant to Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, said in the report.
A total of 270 diversity, equity and inclusion action items were tracked throughout the academic year.
One change is the diversity, equity and inclusion online training being revamped for fall 2023 to be more reflective of the MSU community.
The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion also created a grant that distributes an amount with the plan to advance inclusivity. The money will be distributed to fund 37 projects including a Lunar New Year concert series, adaptive and accessible sports for students with physical disabilities, a butterfly garden and fellowship and mentorship programs.
A total of 128 action items from the report are focused on increasing diversity, 44 action items are centered around ensuring equity, 60 action items promote inclusion and 38 action items address enhancing outreach and engagement.
Pie charts supporting this data can be found on The State News website.
MSU football hires former Buffalo Bills coach Jim Salgado to oversee cornerbacks
After another underwhelming season of secondary play, Michigan State football and head football coach Mel Tucker announced last Thursday evening that Jim Salgado, a former safeties coach for the Buffalo Bills, has been hired as the cornerbacks coach.
Salgado spent six seasons with the Bills, with last season being his first and only one, as the safeties coach. Before that, he spent two years with nickels and three as a defensive assistant. During his time in Buffalo, his defense regularly finished among the best in the NFL. He also oversaw Pro Bowl seasons from safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer along with cornerback Tre’Davious White.
Before taking a job with the Bills, he coached in the college ranks for 22 years. He was at Princeton from 2010 to 2016 before turning professional.
Salgado will be joining Harlon Barnett on the defensive back staff, as Barnett is currently listed as the secondary coach. The extra position on the staff became available when pass rush specialist Brandon Jordan left to join the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff.
Muslim students share opinions, hopes for Ramadan on campus
The Islamic holiday Ramadan began on the evening of March 22, and will last either 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent moon is or should be apparent.
Ramadan is a period of fasting and spiritual connection and growth, where Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything — including water — and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset. Many will partake in additional prayers, especially at night, to feel more spiritually connected to God. The Brief Guide for Ramadan at MSU states it is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is widely considered the month in which the Qur’an, the Islamic holy book, was first revealed.
Human biology sophomore Adeeba Rahman said Ramadan is a time when she can have a closer relationship with God.
For students living on campus, MSU provides Ramadan dining hall options which will serve halal and vegan options during dinner time at four of the major dining halls.
The MSU Muslim Students Association provides specific dining halls and East Lansing restaurants that serve halal meals. For more information regarding the dining hall options, students can refer to the Eat at State website.
For breakfast, the dining hall provides two pre-packaged breakfast options that will be available for pickup each day during dinner service at Brody Square, South Pointe at Case, The Vista at Shaw and The Edge at Akers.
The association also notes reflection rooms on campus for students which can be used for prayer. These rooms are located on the second floor of the Main Library, which includes room B284 in Wells Hall, room 412A in the Law Library, room C200B in Butterfield Hall and more.
The association will collaborate with other Muslim student organizations planning Iftars for students to enjoy meals after sunset during Ramadan. For future Iftars and more information can be found on the MSU Muslim Students Association’s Instagram page.
Based on original reporting by Maddie Dallas, Nick Lundberg and Julius Patto.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies early and then partly cloudy in the afternoon with a high of 48 degrees and a low of 35 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be mixes of rain and sun with higher 40s.
Have a great weekend!
Students left ‘tense’ after person seen with weapon near campus
At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Michigan State University police informed students of a person seen with a knife “at or near” West Circle Drive through an MSU alert. The suspect was located by East Lansing police and was taken into custody before 1:30 p.m.
Psychology senior Ariel Zander was walking to class when she got the alert. She changed her plans and went into the nearest building which was Olds Hall to take shelter.
“It’s kind of confusing because MSU isn’t really saying anything,” Zander said as she was sheltering in place. “Now with these alerts it’s more serious because before the shooting I didn’t really take them serious but now it’s more scary.”
“I’m definitely on edge,” Zander said.
The Feb. 13 mass shooting on campus prompted the university to require MSU IDs to get inside many academic buildings between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. — meaning academic buildings were still open to the public during the time that the alert went out.
Journalism senior Brooke Miller was in a lecture in the Communication Arts and Sciences building when her professor paused the class to ask students what was going on. Her professor then told the class to stay on top of the alert and let him know of any updates.
In a video posted to Twitter at 2:01 p.m., Police Chief Chris Rozman said there was no danger to the public and the suspect had been taken into custody by police. He said the department acknowledged that the alerts sent out in response to Wednesday’s incident may have triggered emotions.
For resources, the MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services, or CAPS, is available 24/7 for those who need it.
MSU hockey adds Red Wings draft pick Red Savage from transfer
Since the transfer portal opened on Monday, Michigan State hockey has already snagged a few promising additions to its roster, the latest being sophomore forward Red Savage from Miami (OH).
Savage, who took to Twitter to announce his commitment on Wednesday, was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL draft, before spending the last two seasons with the Redhawks. During his time at Miami, Savage notched 13 goals and 17 assists across 67 games.
MSU head hockey coach Adam Nightingale coached Savage at the USNTDP during the 2020-21 season. In this tenure with the U17 and U18 National teams, Savage produced 26 points in 31 games.
Savage is the second player to come to MSU from the transfer portal, so far, after UMass’ Reed Lebster announced his commitment on social media Tuesday.
Meanwhile, five Spartans have signed contracts with professional teams. Four others entered the transfer portal on Monday, including sophomore forward Jesse Tucker who found his new home with Clarkson.
Lebanese Student Association promotes cultural representation, empowerment of heritage
Through multiple events like study sessions, an MSU World Cup tournament and galas, the Lebanese Student Association, or LSA, provides opportunities for all students, especially those of Middle Eastern or Lebanese origin.
Event coordinator Marena Haidar said LSA’s events give her a break from her daily school work and social life.
The MSU World Cup tournament, cohosted by the Iraqi American Union, LSA and Egyptian Student Association, kicked off on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19 featuring 16 teams representing different countries.
LSA is predominantly active on its Instagram with event information, e-board updates, and more.
Based on original reporting by Hannah Holycross, Maddy Warren and Julius Patto.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Tonight
- Baseball will go against Purdue at 4:05PM at McLane Stadium.
- Softball will play Wisconsin at 5PM at Secchia Stadium.
Saturday
- Women’s tennis will go up against Minnesota at 11AM at the Indoor Tennis Center.
- Softball will go up against Wisconsin at 1PM at Secchia Stadium.
- Baseball will play Purdue at home Saturday at 3:35PM at McLane Stadium.
Sunday
- Women’s tennis will play Wisconsin at 11AM at the Indoor Tennis Center.
- Softball vs. Wisconsin at 1PM at Secchia Stadium.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with periods of rain early in the day with a high of 49 degrees and a low of 29 degrees.
Students create MSU Museum exhibit, memorialize Feb. 13 experiences
Psychology sophomores Hannah Greenspan and Kirin Krafthefer are creating an exhibit in collaboration with the MSU Museum to memorialize student experiences from the Feb. 13 mass shooting.
The pair held an event Sunday to gather stories for the exhibit.
The project was inspired by Krafthefer’s blog, Spartan Stronger, which she created as a space for students to share testimonies about Feb. 13. For Krafthefer and Greenspan, the goal of the event and the larger project was to give students an opportunity to share their stories and heal together.
The event was held at Demonstration Field and included CAPS volunteers available to help students in need. Volunteers handed out index cards for students to write down their experiences, which will later be given to the MSU Museum and saved in the MSU Archives.
Greenspan said knowing that the event helped even one student process their trauma was extremely validating.
Students who didn’t attend the event, or didn’t feel comfortable sharing their story at the time, can still participate in the exhibit. Greenspan and Krafthefer said on-campus dropbox locations will be designated so that other students can include their story at a later time.
MSU softball defeats Central Michigan 3-0 in home opener
Michigan State Softball defeated Central Michigan 3-0 in the home opener for their second straight win to improve to 9-12 on the year.
MSU sophomore pitcher Faith Guidry had an excellent day on the mound. As the starter, she posted five hitless innings, four strikeouts, and two hits allowed in route to a complete game shutout to get the win.
After a slow offensive start by both teams, the Spartans loaded the bases in the bottom of the third. Junior first baseman Alexis Barroso gave MSU the first run of the game as she drove a ball into the outfield for a sacrifice fly, bringing home senior shortstop Anna Fox.
The Spartans weren’t finished pouring on runs as junior utility player Collette Allen doubled to left field bringing home senior third baseman Jessica Mabrey, extending MSU’s lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth.
Guidry’s no-hitter came to an end in the top half of the sixth inning by the hands of Chippewa junior outfielder Abbey Tolmie. The CMU threat didn’t last long however, as Guidry responded by forcing a groundout for a double play followed by an additional groundout to end the half-inning.
Head Coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley was very happy with Guidry’s performance and felt that it gave the Spartans what it needed to go on and win the game.
The Spartans continue their opening home stand as they open Big Ten Conference play against Wisconsin for a three-game series starting late tomorrow afternoon.
MSU College of Music to present comic Shakespearean opera ‘Falstaff’
The Michigan State University College of Music will present Falstaff, an Elizabethan-era opera comedy, at Fairchild Theatre beginning Wednesday, March 22.
Conductor Katherine Kilburn said the opera follows the story of Sir John Falstaff in his foolish attempts to woo two married women for the sake of their husband’s fortunes. He is overconfident in his efforts, however, making for a “hilarious” comedy.
The opera was written by 19th-century Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi and is based on the works of Shakespeare, Henry VI and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Verdi utilizes music throughout the opera to embellish the comedic aspect of the story, first-year doctoral student Paige Heidrich said. Verdi is “a master at creating chaos in the music,” which he accomplishes in Falstaff, she said.
Kilburn said Verdi also uses musical elements in his storytelling.
Master’s student and principal oboist Emily Demski said that they will be using a condensed orchestra for the performance, which requires a lot of teamwork and some instrument-switching.
Falstaff is an Italian opera, meaning that many of the cast members had to learn to speak Italian. Prior experience with Italian isn’t a requirement for the audience, however, as the show will be accompanied by English supertitles, a screen above the stage will translate the words being sung.
Performances will run from Wednesday, March 22 to Sunday, March 26 at Fairchild Theatre.
Based on original reporting by Vivian Barrett, Jacob Smith and Jaden Beard.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting showers in the morning moving more into just cloudy skies in the afternoon with a high of 53 degrees and a low of 48 degrees.
MSU James Madison College student dies from vehicular accident injuries
James Madison College junior Matthew O’Daniel died on March 15 after sustaining injuries in a vehicular accident March 12, according to an email from James Madison College dean Cameron Thies.
O’Daniel was majoring in international relations and served as a Marine reservist. His funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. this Saturday. March 25 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Matthew’s family and friends during this difficult time,” Thies said in the email. “MSU Student Life and Engagement is working with the O’Daniel family to provide support. We ask members of the Spartan community to honor Matthew’s memory.”
According to the email, counselors from CAPS attended O’Daniel’s classes Monday and Tuesday. CAPS also provides remote crisis services 24/7 for no charge.
Tower Guard to host 23rd annual Shamrock 5K
Tower Guard will be hosting its 23rd annual Shamrock 5K this Saturday. A student-led organization, Tower Guard is a second-year honors group dedicated to serving the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, or RCPD, at MSU. The organization collaborates with the RCPD to help scribe for exams, create more accessible textbooks, hold one-on-one tutoring and build a more inclusive environment for all students.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and start at the MSU Auditorium. Those interested can register for the race through MSU Tower Guard’s Linktree.
“Literally everyone is welcome to attend,” race coordinator and run chair SunYoung You said.
She said the route takes runners to the Brody neighborhood, to the East neighborhood and back to the auditorium. Runners can either register online, or Tower Guard members will be there to register people on the day of the race.
You said that the Shamrock 5K is the biggest fundraiser Tower Guard has.
The funding will provide for assistive technology, audiovisual educational materials, leadership development and career readiness opportunities.
When the last person crosses the finish line, the awards ceremony will take place and raffles will be drawn. Every participant gets entered in a raffle to win items from local businesses and sponsors.
First ones in, last ones out: The life of a bar employee on St. Patricks Day
In the early hours on Friday, March 17, the warm temperatures from the day before had not yet departed. The sidewalks were coated with rain and muddy footprints. The early hour discouraged cars from hitting the roads yet — the only light came from the streetlamps and neon signs of bars along Grand River and Albert Avenue.
Outside of the strip of bars, the city seemed to be asleep or slowly waking. But on St. Patrick’s Day, celebrations start before the sun rises. Eager students arrive at bars as early as 5 a.m. to be the first to get their foot through the door and a drink in their hand.
At Landshark Bar and Grill, St. Patrick’s Day prep begins days in advance. Workers decorate the interior in green from top to bottom. They make hundreds of Jell-O shots and stock up on kegs and green beer. After the days of prep, the bar is set for the 14 hour shift ahead of them.
Agribusiness management sophomore Carter Pickering arrived for his bartending shift at 6:52 a.m. He woke up late and ran to work.
Among the staff, there was a lot of anticipation leading up to St. Patricks Day. But, busy days like that are Pickering’s favorite time to bartend.
This attitude serves to benefit Pickering because by 7:18 a.m. his bar top was surrounded by customers. He helped eight people at once. When he got the chance, he took quick breaks to sip on water and Red Bull, which he said will be his “savior.”
By the end of the day, assistant manager Jenna Piotrowicz said the whole bar had collectively sold over 5,000 drinks. After, the staff cleaned up the remaining empty cups, wiped down all the tables and floors and walked out the door around 4 a.m.
The following day did not start as early. Bartenders will not serve specialty green drinks or play Irish music over the speakers. But the staff will still show up ready for work, like they did on St. Patrick’s Day and every day before.
Based on original reporting by Vivian Barrett, Selma Cogo and Hannah Woehrle.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mostly cloudy skies with showers later tonight with a high of 53 degrees and a low of 39 degrees.
FINAL: Michigan State fends off Marquette to advance to Sweet Sixteen
Following a 72-62 MSU victory over USC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans faced No. 2 seed Marquette in the round of 32 on Sunday evening.
After a hot start from Michigan State, quickly turned into a neck-and-neck showdown late in the first half, the Spartans turned it up a notch to fend off the Golden Eagles 69-60 and advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
The Spartans’ feisty first half was set in motion with big buckets from a variety of starters.
Junior center Mady Sissoko slammed in a bucket to put MSU on the board and bring key momentum to carry the green and white through the majority of the first half.
Junior guard A.J. Hoggard brought his A-game, bringing the necessary guard play against Marquette’s stellar backcourt.
Marquette’s guard play was unmatched to MSU’s with Hoggard and senior guard Tyson Walker dominating in the backcourt. The two starters combined for 11 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds in the first half.
Spartan rebounding was impressive as soon as the game tipped off, with MSU out-rebounding the Golden Eagles 20-12 in the first half of the contest.
When the Spartans returned, Marquette quickly crept up behind, taking the lead for the first time a few minutes into the second half.
The tournament battle went from competitive to physical in the final few minutes, but the Spartans slowly climbed ahead. Sissoko was key defensively down the stretch, swatting away Marquette’s shots left and right.
The Spartans extended their lead back out to nine, outlasting the Golden Eagles and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in New York City.
The Spartans will face Kansas State on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Tipoff time is set for 6:30PM.
MSU professor declared not guilty on two criminal sexual conduct charges
Engineering professor Yiming Deng, who was previously charged with three counts of criminal sexual conduct, was declared not guilty on two of those charges by a jury this past Friday.
Deng’s remaining charge, criminal sexual conduct of the third degree, has not been decided on by the jury, according to court documents.
Criminal sexual conduct of the third degree includes sexual penetration but without aggravating circumstances, like the perpetrator causing personal injury to the victim.
In an email to The State News, Deng said he was falsely accused of criminal sexual conduct “based on lies and revenge from an individual with whom (he) sought to end a platonic relationship.”
Deng was placed on administrative leave from the university on Sept. 30, 2022. He said in an email that he is looking forward to “rejoining the Spartan Nation with (his) head held high.”
ASMSU finance committee prepares bills for general assembly
The Associated Students of MSU, or ASMSU, picked it back up with its committee meetings after spring break. Although the finance committee was the only committee to be entirely present, it was able to push all its bills through to this week’s general assembly meeting.
The Spartan Love Fund was a product of a bill passed and discussed before spring break. It funded events for registered student organizations following the mass shooting on Feb. 13.
In the aftermath of Feb. 13, a new requirement is that students are required to scan their student ID in order to enter most buildings after 6 p.m.
The finance committee passed a bill to the general assembly dedicated to allocating an amount of money to the Michigan State University ID Office to fund the replacement of student IDs for all undergraduate students.
Now that ASMSU has seen that students have an increased need for their ID cards, it has become a greater need for ASMSU to support. Every representative on the finance committee brought up questions to ensure the bill is ready to be presented to the general assembly.
Although each committee didn’t get the chance to push out each of their bills, the representatives that were present expressed their passion for the well-being of the student body through their questions.
Based on original reporting by Melanie Soverinsky, Morgan Womack and Maddie Dallas.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting intervals of clouds and sunshine with a high of 48 degrees and a low of 34 degrees.
MSU gymnastics claims second place in the Big Ten Championship
Michigan State gymnastics ended its Big Ten campaign in Iowa City where the Spartans claimed second place in the Big Ten Championship with a score of 197.550.
From start to finish, the final session of the Big Ten Championship was a beautiful battle full of jaw-dropping performances from MSU, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio State.
Michigan State kicked off the Big Ten Championship on the floor. Senior Nyah Smith started the Spartans off with a solid 9.850 to set the tone for the evening.
Also, a show-stopping day from MSU sophomore Skyla Schulte landed her in second place with a high 39.625.
To cap off the evening, the Spartans were awarded two Big Ten accolades. Nikki Smith was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year–the same title Schulte acquired just last year, and head coach Mike Rowe clinched Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.
With every Spartan gymnast scoring above 9.850 on the floor, the Spartans ended rotation one with a 49.425. Unfortunately for the Spartans, Michigan put up six scores above 9.900 to finish in first place with a 49.725.
Unlike their earlier meeting this season, the Spartans fell to the Wolverines who scored a huge 198.000 to win the Big Ten Championship. Michigan State finished second and Minnesota followed close behind with a 197.250.
It was not the outcome the Spartans hoped for, but luckily for them, their season is not over yet. Today at noon, Michigan State will find out when and where their regional competition will be held at the end of this month.
Student-led healing event causes confusion among students
A post-shooting healing event, organized by two students in collaboration with MSU and the MSU Museum, confused students who interpreted the event as a protest against the university.
Psychology sophomores Hannah Greenspan and Kirin Krafthefer were inspired to put on a community-centered healing event by Krafthefer’s blog Spartan Stronger, which gives students the opportunity to post testimonials about the Feb. 13 mass shooting at MSU. However, the pair labeled the event as a walkout occurring during class hours, which led many students to understand the event as a protest against the university.
For several students, including anthropology sophomore Erin Willcock, the term walkout sounded like a protest related to gun control or directed toward the university.
“It’s not political,” Krafthefer said. “I feel like people need to reel that in. We’re kicking ourselves for calling it a walkout.”
The confusion kicked in when the event was rescheduled to Sunday, March 19 after heavy snowfall on the Monday it was originally scheduled for. Willcock was one of a few students who commented on the walkout’s Instagram page expressing concern that a walkout would occur on a weekend.
The event had been planned in collaboration with the university who would be providing sound systems, tables and materials. When Greenspan and Krafthefer saw the need to reschedule because of the weather, they originally decided on Wednesday, March 15, but were told the university couldn’t support them with materials if the event potentially interrupted two school days, leading the pair to reschedule for a weekend.
Greenspan and Krafthefer said it was never meant to be a protest against the university. They said there was no point during the organization of the event where they felt limited by MSU.
The rescheduled event was held yesterday at Demonstration Field.
After a short speech from Greenspan and Krafthefer, index cards were available for students to record their experiences from Feb. 13. All of the cards will be preserved in the MSU Archives and, with permission, will be temporarily displayed in an exhibit inside the MSU Museum.
Ingham County signs on to opioid lawsuit payments
Ingham County Health Department, or ICHD, will be participating in an opioid lawsuit settlement targeted at funding prevention and treatment efforts during the opioid epidemic.
Proposed multibillion dollar settlements from a national lawsuit against Teva Pharmaceuticals, Allergan Pharmaceuticals, CVS Pharmacy and Walmart Pharmacy are being joined by Michigan which could bring in a huge amount of money to the state’s municipal governments over 13 years, according to a press release from state Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office.
Municipal governments are eligible to participate if it is currently litigating against the defendants or has a population of 10,000 or more. Each Michigan county is eligible and Ingham County has signed on as a participant.
The amount allocated to the state and its municipalities is partly dependent on the amount of participation of local governments, according to the statement.
Based on original reporting by Bella Johnson, Vivian Barrett and Maggie George.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with light rain early and then becoming more windy later on with a high of 49 degrees and a low of 20 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be mixed high 20’s and 30’s with wind and some sunshine.
MSU students and advocates rally to push for gun violence prevention laws
The Capitol Lawn on Tuesday morning was split down the middle: those exclaiming for action and government change in the building they were standing in front of, and those who brought bull horns and their own signs to counter-protest the rally against gun violence, speaking out about their second amendment rights.
Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart said she was there to speak about teachers being faced with unrelenting gun violence.
Herbart said lawmakers need to take action to protect students.
Neuroscience sophomore Joseph Kesto, a member of Spartans Against Gun Violence stood in front of the Capitol for his ninth speech since Feb. 13. He said that while time progresses, most of his words have been lost while the world continues to move on, yet his own community continues to deal with the trauma. His family immigrated to the United States from Iraq in the early 2000s to provide his family with the promise of safety.
Associated Students of Michigan State University, or ASMSU, Internal Affairs and Administration Vice President Carl Austin Miller Grondin was also present. Though he did not make a speech, he said he wanted to be there to show solidarity with the struggle. He even spent his spring break working on meeting with legislators and planning more events.
Shane Trejo was one of the counter-protestors, feeling the need to come to work against what he believes is different special interest lobbying groups looking to take away his second amendment rights, finding the rally offensive and not wanting to comply with.
Trejo advocated for what he calls “constitutional carry,” which would allow students to go through training to carry on campus. He said without this many students on campus would feel like sitting ducks.
Throughout the protest, students were able to tell the stories they have been reflecting on for a month while others worked against what they thought would be infringing rights that would hinder Michigan’s gun policies.
Ben VanSumeren’s ‘freak’ athleticism steals show at Michigan State Pro Day
Pro Day is a unique opportunity, not just for the upper echelon of NFL Draft prospects but for guys like Michigan State redshirt senior linebacker Ben VanSumeren – a lesser-known prospect on the national ranks – it’s the only one or two shots they get to impress professional scouts.
If any one of the 12 Spartans to participate in Michigan State’s Pro Day Wednesday dropped the most jaws of visiting scouts, it was VanSumeren. His out-of-this-world athletic ability was on full display, garnering the loudest hoots and hollers of the day from his spectating teammates and coaches.
He wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but had he been there, many of his statistics would’ve ranked among the best. VanSumeren started with a 42.5-inch vertical jump, a measurement that would’ve ranked first among all linebackers and third among all positions at the combine. He even received a third attempt at the jump after the scouts had to raise the tester because he completely cleared it on his second leap.
Since declaring for the NFL Draft, VanSumeren has been training in Florida alongside redshirt senior wide receiver Jayden Reed, who – along with sixth-year punter Bryce Baringer – was one of the two MSU participants at the NFL Scouting Combine. It’s why Reed wasn’t shocked at all that VanSumeren put on a show, and neither were his other teammates who all pulled out their phones to record VanSumeren. It was like they all knew something special was about to happen.
Luckily for VanSumeren, Wednesday wasn’t the only time he’s shined on the national stage over the last month. He was selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas, where he recorded a game-high seven tackles to go along with a sack.
How much the stock the scouts put into VanSumeren’s measurables may not be clear until the draft takes place in late April, but wherever he may land – with or without an NFL team – VanSumeren established that his uncanny athleticism cannot be disregarded.
Students want MSU to implement 24/7 building lock policy, increase security
As of Monday, March 13, student IDs are required to enter most buildings on Michigan State University’s campus between 6 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. The change comes as the university ramps up security measures after the mass shooting that took place at Berkey Hall and the Union on Monday, Feb. 13.
However, some students don’t think this is enough and demand more action from the university to ensure campus safety.
Psychology senior McAna Craft said locking buildings at 6 p.m. won’t make a difference because the students will be most at-risk during the day when attending classes or going to work.
A 24/7 ID requirement for building access is the least the university can do to protect its students, Craft said, and further measures might include having police officers in busy buildings and locking classrooms.
As the university continues to make changes following the shooting, students want their voices to be heard and taken seriously.
Based on original reporting by Liz Nass, Sam Sklar and Ellie Young.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Sunday
- Women’s Tennis will go up against Nebraska at 10AM at the Indoor Tennis Center.
For our last announcement, make sure to stay safe if you’re planning to party for the holiday or MSU Men’s Basketball’s NCAA Tournament game occurring this afternoon!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with rain developing later in the day with a high of 51 degrees and a low of 44 degrees.
What to do if your ID can’t unlock campus buildings
After Michigan State University introduced a new policy requiring ID cards to access academic and residential buildings from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., students are already struggling to adapt.
MSU deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen said the issues students are facing could either be in the hardware or software of their ID cards.
For hardware issues like chip failures — where the card is tapped on the censor but doesn’t beep at all — students can go to the ID office and get a new card at no cost. The office is open 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. during the week or can be reached at IDOffice@MSU.EDU.
If students are having software issues — where the censor beeps and flashes red indicating that they don’t have access to the building — they can email DPPS.SecuritySVCS@MSU.EDU to request access.
While the ID Office allocates and replaces IDs, it cannot reprogram them to allow access to the newly locked buildings.
What implementing college-based housing would mean for MSU
Home to over 50,000 students and spread across 5,200 acres, Michigan State University possesses one of the nation’s largest campuses and housing programs.
Its 27 undergraduate residence halls are split between five neighborhoods and present students with ample residential options.
While MSU’s housing program offers several degree-granting residential colleges, residential communities and special interest communities, it has been absent of a full-scale, school-based housing system.
School-based housing is a system in which students reside with peers in their major program and are in proximity to their physical college.
The question remains, what would implementing school-based housing entail for MSU’s housing program?
MSU Residence Education and Housing Services, or REHS, Associate Director for Communications Bethany Balks said moving to a school-based housing system is not something she’s heard REHS considering, but doesn’t think is impossible. She said enforcing school-based housing would require several different things, including student and faculty approval.
It’s important to note that many students enter college undecided about their primary and career interests. Data shows students often change their minds about their desired major or college, particularly in the second year, Balks said.
Accounting for students undecided on their major would not be the only issue facing the enactment of college-based housing. Balks said not all schools or colleges may have the resources or desire to build living-learning communities.
Despite such challenges, Balks said there are observable benefits to college-based housing, such as location and involvement. It would provide students with collaboration over shared academic interests and help develop a sense of belonging.
REHS also offers special-interest communities, including the Detroit M.A.D.E Scholars Program, College of Music, MSU Army ROTC and the College Assistance Migrant Program.
Balks said a full-scale college-based housing system would impact these established special-interest communities and cross-college collaborations.
How light pollution impacts East Lansing’s night sky
The night sky is something that many have looked up at in admiration for years, but depending on location, many have noticed that the number of stars they can see has faltered.
Light pollution, which is any sort of extraneous light that is not directed down and illuminates the night sky, is the culprit behind this lack of visibility. Director of Abrams Planetarium Shannon Schmoll said that light pollution has gotten worse over the years, making the night sky appear less dense with stars.
She described that due to light pollution, specific constellations or stars that typically can be seen by the naked eye, are no longer visible in most locations.
According to Schmoll, lack of visibility in the night sky at Michigan State University is inevitable, because it is both a large campus and located near a major city.
Because of this rise in LED lighting, the planetarium’s filter system is no longer as effective as it once was.
In order to increase visibility of stars and decrease light pollution in an area, Schmoll said it’s best to reduce the amount of lights one has. Another solution is shielded lights — lights that are covered at the top in order to reduce the amount that shines into the sky. Schmoll said shielded lights are also more energy efficient, since they require less energy to achieve sufficient brightness on a street or sidewalk.
When upgrading lighting, the MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities teams work to ensure that light on campus is facing downward to minimize light pollution, communications manager Fred Woodhams said.
Schmoll said the loss of night sky visibility is more than an aesthetic loss, but a cultural one as well.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters, Thomas Cobb and Hannah Holycross.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds with a high of 44 degrees and a low of 35 degrees.
Suzy Merchant leaves a lasting legacy at MSU
After 16 seasons and a lasting legacy at Michigan State, head women’s basketball coach Suzy Merchant announced that she will be stepping down effective immediately due to health reasons. The decision was a mutual one with athletic director Alan Haller.
The Michigan native was hired as head coach on April 30, 2007 after nine years at Eastern Michigan, where she became to winningest head coach in program history.
During her time at MSU, Merchant held an 327-186 all-time record, went to 10 NCAA tournaments and brought home two Big Ten titles for the green and white. Merchant became the fastest MSU coach to hit 100 wins and is the second-winningest head coach for the Spartan women — just 49 wins shy of the 376 from MSU Hall of Famer Karen Langeland.
Perhaps the greatest impact she will leave will be the one she has left on her players. This season, and in years past, Merchant’s players have spoken of the relationships she builds with her teams on and off the court.
Michigan State athletics announced that they will be conducting a nation-wide search to find a fit replacement for Suzy Merchant. In the meantime, associate head coach Dean Lockwood will continue acting as interim head coach.
Merchant finished her statement with one final sentiment to the fans: “It has been an incredible journey…Thank you, Spartan Nation.”
Lifting MSU’s vaccine mandate sparks safety concerns for students, faculty
After Michigan State University lifted its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, members of the Graduate Employees Union, or GEU, and the Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty, or UNTF, responded, stating the decision was made without the knowledge or consulting of faculty and teaching assistants.
GEU president Ava Hill said the tragic event that unfolded on Feb. 13 in combination with lifting the vaccine mandate did not make campus safer.
Hill said the vaccine mandate should not have been lifted at all, saying other vaccines are mandated and required by the university for students, staff and faculty.
MSU does have a policy requiring undergraduate students to submit an immunization form and strongly recommends other vaccinations, but does not require that students are vaccinated.
PhD student Hazel Anderson said MSU needs to recognize and be inclusive of students, faculty and staff needing extra precaution and change after this decision.
The ghost-with-the-most will come to the Wharton Center for ‘Beetlejuice’ musical
From March 14 to 19, “Beetlejuice: the National Tour” is coming to the Wharton Center.
“Beetlejuice,” tells the story of Lydia Deetz as her family moves from New York City to Connecticut. The Deetz’s house is haunted by Adam and Barbara Maitland, a recently deceased couple. As the Maitlands struggle to cope with their new reality as ghosts, they consult the help of Beetlejuice, an immoral and evil but nevertheless wacky demon.
Isabella Esler, who plays Lydia Dietz, describes her character as a “young, teenage emo girl who is getting adjusted to an entirely new environment.”
Esler said this adaptation of Beetlejuice differs from the original 1988 movie. The plot revolves more around Lydia’s story as she adjusts to her new home, rather than the unexpected, un-dead Maitlands that occupy it.
The national tour, however, remains mostly true to the Broadway adaptation, Esler said.
The show will take place at Cobb Great Hall and tickets can be purchased on The Wharton Center website.
Based on original reporting by Bella Johnson, Julius Patto and Jaden Beard.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies with a high of 36 degrees and a low of 16 degrees.
Bringing the love back to campus: ASMSU’s Spartan Love Fund
The Associated Students of Michigan State, also known as ASMSU, have organized a fund for registered student organizations of Michigan State University specifically for events for students created by students.
“The Spartan Love Fund was established by ASMSU to be able to promote the health and wellness of undergraduate Spartans especially with the events of Feb. 13,” ASMSU’s PR director Brandi Stover said.
ASMSU officers worked closely with the student government at the University of Virginia to figure out the best way to aid the student body in healing in the aftermath of the mass shooting.
While being at MSU means you are a part of the Spartan community, there are also many other communities to be a part of.
Putting the community back together is something that the university and ASMSU have been working at with different events and accommodations put in place throughout the past few weeks.
All registered student organizations qualify for these funds, but they must put it in an application.
“We’ve kind of found that as students the time we feel the best are when we are with each other and when we have that sense of community between us all,” Stover said. “A big part of that community on campus is our registered student organizations.”
No. 7 seed MSU to take on No. 10 seed USC in first round of NCAA Tournament in Columbus
During Sunday’s NCAA selection show following the conclusion of conference tournament play, it was announced that No. 7 seed Michigan State will take on the soon to be Big Ten conference team, No. 10 seed USC in the East region first round.
The two will face off in Columbus, Ohio this Friday afternoon. Tipoff is slated for 12:15 p.m.
The Trojans (22-10) finished 14-6 in the Pac-12 conference. During their trip to the 2022 NCAA tournament, No. 7 seed USC fell to No. 10 seed Miami in the first round of the tournament.
The winner of Friday’s contest will take on whoever emerges victorious from the No. 2 seed Marquette versus No. 15 seed Vermont matchup in the second round on Sunday.
The 2022-23 season NCAA tournament marks 25 consecutive appearances under head coach Tom Izzo, the most under a single head coach in Division I history.
CATA CEO apologizes to students displaced by buses on night of Feb. 13
Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, CEO Bradley Funkhouser apologized for the experiences of some students on the night of Feb. 13, when they were displaced after a shelter-in-place order was put out during the shooting on campus.
At least two bus drivers on the 31 Route had students get off the bus while the order was still in place. One student recounted being told to get off at a CATA bus station, while another was told to get off at Rather Hall in the Brody neighborhood, despite not living there.
Funkhouser went on to apologize to “those who were made to feel unsafe during the horrific incident.”
He clarified that CATA does not require students to exit vehicles during a shelter-in-place situation. CATA is investigating reports that bus drivers told students to exit the buses.
Funkhouser said he is proud of the CATA drivers who “responded to the call for support of students who did their best under very trying circumstances,” and said bus drivers “swept campus,” looking for students who were stranded and needed to be evacuated.
He said, “we will evaluate our response to this tragedy and make improvements to better prepare for the unthinkable, and to keep our riders and operators safe.”
Based on original reporting by Maddie Dallas, Melanie Soverinsky and Dan Netter.
We are back from spring break! I hope everyone had a safe and fun break and got some time to catch up on sleep, hang out with friends and family, or do anything else to get rejuvenated for the rest of the semester.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting snow during the morning which will transition to snow showers during the afternoon with a high of 32 degrees and a low of 20 degrees.
Police share updated MSU mass shooting details; note found on suspect released
The Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety, or DPPS, released preliminary investigation findings that detail a timeline of the Monday, Feb. 13 mass shooting on campus. The shooting left three students dead and five students critically injured.
The route that Anthony McRae took once he left campus is still being “reviewed and finalized” by law enforcement, police said in a release.
Between 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13 and 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, Ingham County 911 received 2,100 phone calls, 1,450 of which were 911 calls. Police said this is the equivalent of 2.5 days’ worth of calls within a 5-hour period.
There were 3,136 radio “push to talks” by officers on the primary shared radio dispatch talk group used by MSU DPPS and the East Lansing Police Department — a “push to talk” is every time an officer or dispatcher pushes the button to transmit on their two-way radio. Police also shared a map of these calls.
McRae died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound when police made contact with him.
A two-page note was found in his pocket, which police previously said may indicate a motive. McRae had no known affiliation with the university. Portions of the note released by police have been redacted.
The note is dated Sunday, Feb. 12, one day before the shooting. McRae wrote that he was leading a group of 20 individuals in his acts of violence. Investigators at MSU DPPS, the Michigan State Police and FBI determined that McRae acted alone and this claim is unfounded.
Three of the injured students have since been discharged from the hospital. The most recent update from Sparrow Hospital confirmed two students remain hospitalized.
For pictures of the note written by McRae and resources for those seeking support can visit The State News website.
Eagle Township residents fear “megasite” on MSU farmland
MSU’s potential decision to sell its farmland in Eagle Township has been a source of controversy in the small community ever since residents became aware of the possibility a few months ago.
Now, residents fear their town will become the site of a “megasite,” completely changing the area’s environment and life for residents.
MSU first received the land in 2005 as a gift from local farmer Dave Morris, who had a sizable portion of land in Eagle Township approximately 13 miles from campus. The gift included 1,400 acres and it required that the university maintain the crop lease for 25 years.
The land is currently listed as agricultural land by the Clinton County Zoning Ordinance and it’s farmed by Clark Farms.
Although the crop lease expires in 2031, MSU may plan to sell the land sooner. If the land is sold before then, the crop lease would transfer to the new owner who could work in partnership with the leaseholder to determine the future of the agreement.
MSU deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen said he could not comment on or identify potential buyers at this time — or verify if MSU will even sell the land at all. Olsen said if MSU decides to sell the land, the university will continue to have conversations with the state of Michigan about the future of the property to ensure the decision will “support the economic vibrance of our state as well as the Greater Lansing region.”
As of March 3, 1,196 people have signed a petition against changing the land use map to ensure that the land remains agricultural. Many of these people are worried about the effects that a mega site would have on their town.
It is still unclear whether or not the university will sell the land and what a potential buyer would do. In the meantime, the community’s focus is on preventing the rezoning at the county level. Once the outside firm completes its assessment, the county will make a decision.
Students turn to exercise to cope with tragedy
Following the tragedy that occurred on Michigan State University’s campus on Monday, Feb. 13, students have turned to a wide variety of measures to help cope. Exercising and going to the gym is just one of these strategies.
According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise can help improve sleep and is proven to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. It does this by initiating an endorphin release, which can often be referred to as “runner’s high” for frequent exercisers.
Psychology senior Hannah Greenspan went on regular runs around campus after the shooting because the gyms were closed.
Stopping mid-run, remembering and mourning those affected while her heart was pumping helped Greenspan come to terms with everything that happened.
Not only is the community a helpful aspect of exercise, but going to the gym and getting into a different space for a couple of hours is a great distraction, according to creative advertising sophomore Morgan Mabee.
Normal hours of operation for MSU’s gyms have resumed and can be found at the Recreation Sports and Fitness Services website.
Based on original reporting by Miranda Dunlap, Amalia Medina and Ellie Young.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with rain and snow showers in the morning and becoming all snow in the afternoon with a high of 36 degrees and a low of 29 degrees. For the weekend it looks like it will be low to mid 40’s with sun and clouds mixed.
MSU to lock on-campus buildings in evenings, ramp up safety measures
Buildings on Michigan State University’s campus will soon require people to swipe their MSU ID card to enter Mondays through Fridays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. following the mass shooting on campus.
Starting March 13, buildings that will be affected by this new policy are the same buildings currently locked from 11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Most buildings on campus follow this rule.
Next fall, MSU will prioritize adding new door locks to the over 1,300 academic classrooms on campus.
MSU will also increase the number of cameras in place around campus, including academic buildings and Green Light phones. MSU Police and Public Safety is continuing its request for a proposal on centralizing the on-campus camera system, a process anticipated to wrap up in late March.
Last month, MSU was the only university in the Big Ten to obtain an emergency readiness accreditation. University leaders said in an email to the MSU community that they will conduct an after-action evaluation of how emergency personnel and leaders responded to the crisis, as well as solicit a third-party review.
University leaders said in an email that “This is a common practice for education institutions that have experienced similar situations and a chance to review what went well during the emergency response and what could improve.”
The Black Violin experience brings genre-bending performance to the Wharton Center
The Black Violin Experience does not offer an average classical music performance. The violinists fuse different genres of music together, particularly hip-hop and classical music to create music over different genres. They play with a keyboardist, drummer and a DJ to bring the experience to the audience.
The duo, Kev Marcus and Will Baptiste, performed at the Wharton Center this past Tuesday.
Baptiste and Marcus began playing together when they met at orchestra class at Fort Lauderdale High School. After graduating, they wanted to join forces together to become music producers that incorporated classical music to their songs.
Baptiste said people are drawn to the way that the group can play over popular music.
The duo has received two Grammy nominations. Their album, “Take the Stairs” received a 2021 nomination for Best Contemporary Album and their song, “The Message” with Blind Boys of Alabama received a nomination for Best Americana Performance at this year’s Grammys.
The Black Violin Experience is continuing their national tour throughout March and April. The group often performs in urban communities, giving performances to students while engaging with youth symphonies in various communities. As part of the TurnAround Arts program and an ongoing mentorship program, Marcus and Baptiste connect with hundreds of thousands of students at low-income and Title 1 schools.
Everything you need to know about MSU spring semester graduation
With the spring semester’s end in sight, soon-to-be graduates at Michigan State University are tasked with preparing themselves for one of life’s significant milestones: college graduation.
Here are a couple of things that you may want to know.
First, Michigan State Senior University Academic Events Planner Heather Fink said the “hot button” question for the commencement office is the difference between applying to graduate and registering to participate.
The graduate application runs through the registrar’s office while registering to participate is achieved through the commencement website.
To ensure their names are included in the commencement program, students had to apply to graduate by Feb. 20. Students with directory restrictions on their accounts will not have their names printed in the program.
Next, The Spartan Spirit Shop partnered with the commencement office as the official cap and gown supplier for MSU’s campus. Students can also purchase a cap and gown at the Student Bookstore.
Cap and gowns will be available at the Spartan Spirit Shop starting March 20 up until commencements.
College-level commencement ceremonies will take place between Friday, May 5 and Sunday, May 7. Each ceremony will last approximately two hours. MSU will utilize the Breslin Center and the Wharton Center for these ceremonies.
Finally, no admission tickets are required for convocation and individual commencement ceremonies.
“You can bring no guests, you can bring 20 guests, it doesn’t matter,” Fink said. “We do not ticket for guests.”
All commencement ceremonies are live-streamed and can be accessed through the MSU commencement website’s homepage.
For more information regarding the commencement schedule, regalia information, or anything relating to spring graduation can be found on the university’s commencement website.
Based on original reporting by Morgan Womack, Jaden Beard and Thomas Cobb.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Today
- Men’s Tennis will go up against Western Michigan at 5PM in the MSU Indoor Tennis Center.
Tomorrow
- Men’s Basketball will play against Ohio State at 12PM at the Breslin Center.
Sunday
- Gymnastics will go up against Bowling Green & LIU at 1PM.
For our last announcement, there will not be any episodes aired next week due to spring break. Hopefully everyone has a safe, fun, and healthy week off!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with a high of 40 degrees and a low of 28 degrees.
Michigan State University lifts COVID-19 vaccine mandate
MSU is lifting its COVID-19 vaccine mandate as of Tuesday.
Deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen said MSU will still continue to encourage vaccinations, including COVID-19, because “all of these measures better protect health and well-being of our campus community.”
Olsen said the widespread protection of the individuals who have already been vaccinated, plus new boosters and treatment options eliminated the need for a campus-wide mandate.
“Now, as both the virus and our understanding of it continues to evolve, there is widespread protection due to the number of individuals vaccinated,” university physician Michael Brown said in an email to the MSU community. “New vaccine boosters and treatment options are widely available, and we know better how to protect those most vulnerable.”
Brown said in an email aslo that there may be limited situations where professional students and employees must be vaccinated because of certain hospital and healthcare facility requirements.
MSU advised HopCat in East Lansing to end fundraiser for ‘Spartan Strong’ fund
In the wake of the mass shooting on MSU’s campus, HopCat in East Lansing held a fundraiser for the ‘Spartan Strong’ fund. The fundraiser would match beer and alcoholic cider sales from Friday, Feb. 24 to today and donate them to the fund, which was started in the wake of the shooting on MSU’s campus on Feb. 13.
MSU, however, advised HopCat to end their fundraiser as they are not an official sponsor of the university, alongside the additional ties of the proceeds to alcohol sales.
The location intended to raise proceeds through 100% of their beer sales, additionally matching the amount obtained through the fundraiser.
HopCat did donate an amount to the ‘Spartan Strong’ fund and removed their promotion for the fundraiser.
Individual organizations and businesses alike can access MSU’s licensing website for contact information regarding fundraising associations with the university.
Beaumont Tower turns green, plays MSU Shadows in honor of shooting victims
Exactly two weeks, to the minute, after the first shots of the Michigan State mass shooting were reported, Beaumont Tower lit up green in honor of the victims and in support of the entire Spartan community.
Minutes before the tower turned green, a crowd gathered in a half circle listening to the bells ring the tune of MSU Shadows, Michigan State’s official alma mater. At the end of the song, the bells rang eight times.
At 8:18 p.m., green lights surrounding the tower turned on, lighting Beaumont green from top to bottom on all four sides. The crowd stood in complete silence for three minutes until people began to disperse.
3 rings for Arielle Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser.
5 rings for Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez, Nate Statly, John Hao, Troy Forbush and the fifth unnamed victim.
Based on original reporting by Morgan Womack, Kelsey Dantuma and Vivian Barrett.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with a mixture of rain and snow in the morning and remaining mostly cloudy in the afternoon with a high of 48 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.
Big Ten announces Michigan State-Minnesota game won’t be rescheduled
Michigan State men’s basketball’s game against Minnesota will not be rescheduled and will be declared a no-contest, according to a statement from MSU Athletics Monday afternoon.
The game was originally scheduled for Feb. 15. However, the mass shooting on MSU’s campus two days prior forced a postponement.
“I’ve been disappointed in the way it’s been handled at the Big Ten office,” Michigan State head men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo said. “I did not think it was very aggressively handled early.”
The game against the Golden Gophers presented an opportunity for MSU to climb just a little bit closer to the tournament double-bye guaranteed to the top four teams in the Big Ten standings.
MSU’s gun policy explained
Following the Feb. 13 shooting on MSU’s campus, Michiganders have discussed gun policies both on and off campus. Last week, the Rock on Farm Lane was painted with a message demanding students be allowed to carry guns on campus for protection. On the other hand, there have been several protests at the Capitol demanding stricter gun control.
A statement from the university General Counsel and university communications explains MSU’s policy prohibits students and employees from “openly carrying a firearm on all property owned and governed by the university.” Additionally, no MSU student or employee can possess any firearm on campus, regardless of whether or not an individual has a Concealed Pistol License.
No person — regardless of affiliation with the university — is allowed to “carry a concealed firearm in buildings on campus or buildings owned and governed by MSU.”
Although no one can possess a gun inside of a university-owned building or entertainment venue, members of the general public who have a valid permit are allowed to carry in outdoor public spaces, as stated in a Board of Trustees ordinance.
This policy is because the university cannot be more restrictive in its gun policies than state law is. According to the statement, current Michigan law says “it is legal for a person to carry a firearm in public as long as the person is carrying the firearm with lawful intent and the firearm is not concealed.”
The state law contains limitations, one of which applies to MSU, but not the entirety of campus. The law states that no one can possess firearms in dorms and classrooms at colleges and universities.
Comedy for a cause: Women’s Center for Greater Lansing hosts comedy show
The Women’s Center for Greater Lansing hosted a fundraiser called We Laugh Comedy Show, which featured seven volunteer comics, a dinner that was included with the entry fee and a silent auction.
The show took place at UrbanBeat in Old Town Lansing this past Saturday and the proceeds from the event went directly into the programs that the Women’s Center offers, which include help with financial independence, resume assistance, interview preparation and counseling.
Women’s Center Executive Director Rebecca Kasen has worked at the center for roughly four months. She said she was both nervous and excited about the event, since it was the first one that she has run. For her, working at the Women’s Center has always been about female empowerment and supporting women that need assistance.
The host of the event was Pat Sievert, who has been a comic for 11 years. He performs largely in the Midwest but has traveled as far as Alaska and California to act.
Sievert helped seek out the comics for the event, and said he tried to recruit people he thought would see the benefit of helping the center. For him, the night was about the audience and making sure they enjoyed the show.
In the end, Kasen was impressed with the number of people that showed up in support of the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing. She believes that the center supports women in ways that are needed in the Lansing community, and the help that the people who came to the event will greatly benefit the center and the programs they provide.
Based on original reporting by Alex Faber, Amalia Medina and PJ Pfeiffer.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy early in the day with partial sunshine expected later with a high of 44 degrees and a low of 33 degrees.
Comfort dogs travel across state lines to provide safe presence to East Lansing community
On the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 14, one day after the mass shooting that took place at Michigan State University, multiple dogs and their handlers traveled from states away to provide comfort to students on campus.
With over 130 K-9 comfort dogs serving in more than 26 states, Lutheran Church Charities, also known as LCC, is able to deploy their services within 24 hours of an invite. As one of the many organizations that brought comfort dogs to campus during this time, students might see their golden retrievers across campus sporting a blue vest.
LCC deployed six of their comfort dogs to campus that Tuesday. With three dogs from Indiana, two from Ohio and one from Michigan. Most handlers traveled across state lines for MSU students as they coped with the tragedy.
LCC also brought the dogs to Sparrow Hospital as well to visit with the first responders and the medical staff that has been treating the victims.
In order to provide the best comfort possible, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator Bonnie Fear said the handlers debrief at the end of every day and express their feelings so that they can wake up the next morning and do their job without holding the weight of the tragedy on their shoulders.
Over the years, LCC has deployed their comfort dogs across the country to different tragedies such as the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, the Robb Elementary School shooting in Texas and the Oxford High School shooting.
The dogs can be almost human-like in the sense that they know what to do when working — be well-behaved and approachable. But when the vest comes off at the end of the day, they can resume regular dog activities such as playing catch and running around.
Sharing sidewalk space: The struggle between bikers and walkers on MSU’s campus
With a population of just over 50,000 students, Michigan State University’s sidewalks are often bustling with students on the way to their next class.
Sometimes, problems can arise amongst the mix of walkers and bikers sharing these paths. Both bikers and walkers agree that there needs to be more communication on sidewalks.
MSU Bikes Service Center transportation manager Tim Potter said a lot of the crashes he sees are the result of a lack of communication. Sometimes bikers will ride into the grass to avoid a group of walkers, resulting in a loss of control when reentering the sidewalk, he said.
Dana Whyte, communications manager and spokesperson for the MSU Police Department, said MSU was awarded gold status as a bike-friendly university. Bikes are not allowed on sidewalks and should be used in the bike lanes.
However, finance sophomore and biker Liam Lyons said it can be hard to bike on the road in designated lanes.
“I use what I call the ‘bike highway’ … that’s effective. It gets me where I need to be,” Lyons said, “(But) some of the roads don’t have bike lanes and even if they do have bike lanes sometimes I’m not very comfortable driving in those.”
In 2019, MSU held a pilot project that inserted a two-way bike path with a protective barrier separating it from the rest of the road into Bogue Street. Potter said the project was successful and almost all bikers used the lane instead of the sidewalk.
Furthermore, Whyte said MSU Police is open to incorporating more training in new student orientation and online to promote safety.
Locals team up with Golden Harvest to deliver hundreds of free meals to students
What started with a Facebook post has resulted in hundreds of meals for Michigan State University students.
Though Golden Harvest, a breakfast joint in Lansing, is infamous for its limited morning hours four days per week, owner Vanessa Vicknair decided to pause normal hours of operation to help students following the mass shooting on MSU’s campus.
Beginning the day after the shooting, Vicknair posted on Facebook urging students to come into her restaurant after 6 p.m. if they wanted a meal.
For days, the spot stayed open past midnight offering “comfort food,” such as beef stew, grilled cheese with tomato soup, meatloaf and spaghetti.
Last Tuesday, after nearly a week of give-away in-house meals, Golden Harvest expanded its offer to those not able to drive to Lansing. On Facebook, a post urged volunteers to pick up boxed spaghetti dinners and distribute them to students across campus.
Volunteers immediately spoke up. In the post’s comment section, those willing to help coordinated which neighborhoods to go to. Parents jumped in, offering suggestions of spots on campus that might be heavily populated in the evening.
Golden Harvest prepared around 100 boxed meals to be passed out last Tuesday night and the staff planned to coordinate more deliveries throughout the rest of last week.
Based on original reporting by Hannah Holycross and Ellie Young.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting light freezing rain early and then that should change into rain in the afternoon with possible significant icing with a high of 37 degrees and a low of 32 degrees.
Former business dean sues interim president, top MSU officials
Michigan State University’s controversial former business school dean Sanjay Gupta has sued many of MSU’s current and former top officials for allegedly defaming him in a presidential succession plot.
The suit, filed Friday, Feb. 24, names seven defendants who all allegedly contributed to the defamation including interim president Teresa Woodruff, former president Samuel L. Stanley Jr., interim provost Thomas Jeitschko, Title IX coordinator Nicole Schmidtke, Title IX investigator (and senior coordinator) Allison Towe, interim associate provost Ann Austin and university spokesperson Emily Guerrant. The “defendants are sued both in their personal and official capacities.”
Gupta served as the dean of MSU’s business school from June 2015 until he was asked to resign in August 2022.
In the suit, Gupta is asking for reinstatement as dean of the business college, a ruling that affirms his due process and constitutional rights were violated, financial relief in attorney fees and “any additional equitable relief that appears appropriate at the time of judgment.”
In the lawsuit, Gupta alleges in a June 2022 performance review that he told Woodruff “if asked, he would be happy to serve upon the conclusion of then-president Stanley’s term.”
MSU’s Board of Trustees have also questioned the legitimacy of Gupta’s exit, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to investigate Gupta’s removal and the state of the university’s Title IX office. The Los Angeles-based law firm the board hired also provided “crisis management” public-relations consulting to the board.
The results of those investigations have been shrouded in secrecy, being presented to the board in closed-door meetings and delivered verbally to evade the Freedom of Information Act. But at its February meeting, the board announced it would release the findings as a single report when “complete” and promised what’s released will include the entirety of the firm’s findings.
The secret’s out: all about whales this past weekend at the Wharton Center
“National Geographic Live: Secrets of the Whales” came to the Wharton Center yesterday.
National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Brian Skerry said the show offered a “behind the scenes” look of the 40-page cover story and Disney plus series, also titled “Secrets of the Whales.”
It’s a three-year fieldwork project that spanned 24 locations worldwide, from the equator to the North and South Poles. The project documents the lives of five species of whales including humpback, sperm, orca, beluga and narwhals.
Some of the shared tendencies between humans and whales include language and dialect differences, diet preferences, singing competitions and even needing a vacation, Skerry said.
Skerry’s presentation featured director’s cuts videos and personal anecdotes in addition to the project in order to give the audience a “more intimate sense of these whale families and their complex lives.”
Skerry said he hopes that the audience will come out of “Secrets of the Whales” with a new perspective on the planet.
An unusual pair: Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Juice open joint location
For MSU students and other East Lansing residents, Grand River is the place to be for a quick snack, a casual dinner or even something a little fancier. A recent addition to this melting pot of foods is the new Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Juice joint location.
The decision to open in East Lansing was brought on by Focus Brands, a developer of multi-channel food service brands. It is the parent company to a number of well-known franchises including Carvel, Cinnabon, Moe’s Southwest Grill as well as Jamba Juice and Auntie Anne’s.
Though Jamba Juice and Auntie Anne’s are typically a staple of malls, Focus Brands chose to expand outward with the two franchises, starting in East Lansing.
The establishment opened its doors over a month ago on January 5.
Manager and psychology freshman Alyssa Fredin said the location is constantly busy. She said she thinks it has to do with the fact that it is right across the street from campus, making it a convenient location for people in the dorms.
The store provides an environment for MSU students to thrive in, notably in its willingness to collaborate with the numerous student organizations that MSU is home to.
As a business that employs many MSU students, there is a visible certain level of connection between worker and customer.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters, Jaden Beard and Siya Modi.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly to mostly cloudy skies with a high of 28 degrees and a low of 19 degrees. For the weekend, it looks like it will be high 30’s with mostly cloudy skies.
MSU shooting survivor has been discharged, Sparrow Hospital confirms
One student who was critically injured after last week’s mass shooting at Michigan State University was discharged from Sparrow Hospital after previously being in ‘serious but stable’ condition yesterday morning, Sparrow Hospital Senior Media Relations Specialist Corey Alexander confirmed.
The name of the student who was discharged yesterday morning was not identified.
One student remains in fair condition, one student remains in serious but stable condition and one student remains in critical condition.
Two of the students who were injured had families who confirmed their identities via GoFundMe fundraisers, which were set up to negate various costs of travel and care. These two students are hospitality business junior Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez and international student John Hao.
MSU Deputy Spokesperson Dan Olsen confirmed the university would be paying the hospital bills of the five students who were injured.
All five were originally in critical condition on Feb. 13, while three others died in the shooting and they were Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner and Arielle Anderson.
Student workers at MSU Union given help to find other jobs on campus
Following the shooting that took place in the Union and Berkey Hall last week, the Union has been closed indefinitely. This has displaced many student workers employed at Spartan Spirit Shop, the Sparty’s Cafe and the Union’s food court, commonly called The Roost.
Chief Communications Officer of Student Life and Engagement Kat Cooper said MSU is in the process of relocating workers who previously were employed in the Union. Apart from the MSU Federal Credit Union, all of the businesses housed in the Union are owned and operated by MSU. Cooper said she is not sure how many workers will be displaced because of the Union’s indefinite closure.
Spartan Spirit Shop clerk and social relations and policy junior Abraham Frank said workers were told the Union would be closed at least until March 13 and that spirit shop workers should look for work elsewhere or work at another spirit shop location on campus.
Frank said he was offered a security and greeter role at the Breslin after expressing his interest in looking for other work.
Spartan Spirit Shop clerk and clinical social work masters’ student Alyssa Fisher expressed concerns about there not being enough open jobs on campus to which they could relocate.
Job relocation efforts come in part as a coping mechanism for student workers who may feel uncomfortable returning to the Union for employment.
Cooper said she understands each worker at the Union will have their own timeline for reacting to the shooting and that the Union management would “try and honor that the best we can to help people through this.”
MSU researchers discover how switchgrass can reach full potential as a biofuel candidate
MSU researchers have discovered a way to allow the switchgrass plant to reach its full potential as a biofuel crop, following a discovery of one of its growth limitations. The discovery could ease dependence on fossil fuels as a source of energy.
MSU Department of Energy research associate Mauricio Diego Tejera-Nieves and Department of Plant Biology professor Berkley Walker discovered that photosynthesis in these promising biofuel crops declines halfway through the season. This causes the plant to not grow in size.
Tejera Nieves said this led him and Walker to investigate why the plant’s photosynthesis stops and what they can do to keep it growing so the plant can become larger and provide more energy and biofuels.
Walker and Tejera-Nieves’ first theory was that this stunt in growth was caused by water limitations. To test this, they put rainfall exclusion shelters in the middle of the field so plants could receive sunlight, but no water.
The lack of water played no part in how much the plant grew — after the experiment was conducted there was no striking difference between the plants under the rainfall exclusion and the plants that were outside of it.
Walker and Tejera-Nieves then decided to look inside the plant to see if there were any inner components contributing to the limitation.
A look inside allowed Tejera-Nieves to find that the perennial grasses they had been working with have roots that also serve as storage compartments for the plant.
With this knowledge, Walker said they now have an idea of how to find the plants that keep growing even when the storage compartment is full as well as that this research is something unique to MSU.
Based on original reporting by Wajeeha Kamal, Siya Modi and Hannah Holycross.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend.
Today
- Women’s Tennis will go up against Xavier at 10AM as well as Chicago State at 2PM both in the MSU Indoor Tennis Center.
Sunday
- Women’s Tennis will play Illinois State at 11AM at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with light freezing rain in the morning with a high of 46 degrees and a low of 18 degrees.
Students lead second vigil to mourn classmates as classes resume
Hundreds of Michigan State University students gathered at The Rock on Farm Lane Tuesday evening for a vigil which honored their classmates killed in the mass shooting and supported survivors as the university transitions back to regular classes and activities.
The event was organized by Spartans Against Gun Violence, or SAGV, a chapter of the national gun-control advocacy group March For Our Lives. But, genomics and molecular genetics junior Zoe Haden, who led the vigil and co-chairs SAGV, said in an interview before the proceedings that the event was intentionally not political. Instead, student-speakers focused on honoring those killed and sharing their experiences with the return to classes this past Monday.
This comes less than one week after thousands gathered for another vigil at The Rock. That event was organized by the university, headlined with speeches from university administrators and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and attended by the national media.
In comparison, Tuesday’s vigil was a more intimate event, planned by students to support their peers in a return to campus.
The event ended with members of the Spartan Marching Band performing MSU Shadows to a teary crowd, swaying arm-in-arm.
MSU cracks down on ‘Spartan Strong’ scams
Following the mass shooting on Michigan State University’s campus, the university formed the Spartan Strong Fund to support “student and staff counseling, campus safety enhancements, and recognition for those involved with the crisis, such as first responders.”
Since then, some businesses and individuals have been selling unofficial “Spartan Strong” merchandise which purports to donate to the fund. But without licensing agreements, the university has no way of verifying that those donations are ever made.
MSU deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen said while licensing agreements have previously been used for the university to collect a portion of profits from merchandise, MSU has waived that royalty cut for Spartan Strong products and is using licensing as a method of “verifying” the charitability of products.
MSU released a consumer alert Tuesday afternoon with a current list of officially licensed merchandisers whose royalties and proceeds go to the fund which includes Nudge Printing, Colosseum, Underground Printing, Blue 84, CDI Corp., A. Dean Watkins, 4Imprint, Sewing Concepts, Zephyr, and Gametime Sidekicks.
Olsen said the university is currently reaching out to unverified merchandisers, and while some are malicious scams, MSU has also encountered well-intentioned sellers who can go through the licensing process to confirm their contributions to the fund.
Michigan State offers support for those impacted by campus crisis
In response to the active shooter situation, Michigan State is offering numerous forms of support for all students, faculty and staff.
MSU will have open confidential crisis counseling 24/7. More information can be found at caps.msu.edu.
“You are worthy, no matter how hopeless things might feel right now. That’s why there are so many resources available to help.” Michigan State Crisis Resources for students, posted on their website.
There will also be a line open to call for community mental health. They can be reached at 517-346-8460.
“Grief is a profoundly personal thing, and we know the healing process will not be swift. We must take time to think, mourn and be together,” Michigan State’s Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff said.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters and Zac Slowik.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting some snow showers early which will give way to a mix of wintry precipitation in the afternoon and 3 to 5 inches of snow and ice is expected with a high of 31 degrees and a low of 27 degrees.
Thousands of students sit down at ‘Skip Class, Stand-Up’ protest
On Monday afternoon, the third protest in a week occurred at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing.
Thousands of students from Michigan State University gathered for the rally, called “Skip Class, Stand Up.” During the protest, attendees sat in a commonly taught formation used during lock-down drills in schools. Together, the students introduce themselves to each other and mourned together.
Across the lawn, people handed out bracelets which read, “Spartan Strong” while others allowed for students to pet their dog, some even having heartfelt conversations between strangers during it. Signs filled the spaces in the crowd and when the organizers called for the attendees to hug and talk to one another, they did.
March for Our Lives founder and Parkland survivor David Hogg came to the protest to talk to the students from an understanding point of view, but also to inspire them to want to create change by going out and voting, running for state legislature and addressing gun violence head on.
Hogg said as a generation, the students need to cut through religious and racial lines to come together and make progress. He also addressed those who use their constitutional rights as an excuse to not address gun control.
Vice President of Internal Administration for the Associated Students of Michigan State University, ASMSU, Carl Austin Miller Grondin talked to the student body about the story of his sister who was locked on campus throughout the events. He recited a play by play of the night with timestamps, depicting how long it seemed everything took to calm down last Monday night.
After speeches were over, the protest allowed for an open mic, which let attendees to address the crowd.
Many attendees left the Capitol, embracing one another in hugs of “I’ll See you soon,” signifying the spirit of the Spartans: standing with one another in a time of grief.
Non-tenured faculty looks for flexibility in return to classes
The MSU Union of Non-Tenured Track Faculty, or UNTF, has been in communication with the university administration students returning to campus this week. The UNTF, which is the union for faculty members who are not in the tenure system, is asking for flexibility when it comes to students returning back to learning and calls for the University to listen to the needs of faculty and students during this time.
Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures associate Professor and UNTF President Kate Birdsall said she feels “heartened” by the Office of Provost using the practice of trauma-informed teaching methods when making decisions about students returning to campus.
Birdsall said that while the Office of the Provost issued concrete guidance, it is not mandatory for faculty to follow. The message advised professors to not treat right now as normal and not to hand out major assignments and midterms.
“I cannot promise that all faculty are going to follow that,” Birdsall said. “I hope that they do. So, it’s really hard and this is nuanced and complicated at a place this size.”
When asked about plans for future pay negotiations with the university, Birdsall said in a text that there will be an official demand sent in the near future.
Birdsall said the union is asking for further communication from administration for faculty, as well as for students.
Hair stylist hopes to give MSU students ‘serenity’ by offering free services
Following the recent mass shooting on Michigan State University’s campus, Jordynn Greeson, a hair stylist at Capellini Salon in Okemos, stepped into comfort students the best way she knows how – by doing hair.
Since Monday, Feb. 13, Greeson has been providing a variety of free hair treatments to MSU students. This includes haircuts, blowouts, conditioning treatments and silk presses.
Going to the salon and getting her hair done is something that Greeson finds relaxing, so she wanted to provide a similar sense of peace to students impacted by Monday’s tragic events.
After their services are completed, Greeson leaves students with a bag that includes self care items, her personal phone number and the number for a therapist who is offering free tele-health appointments to anyone impacted by the shooting.
The therapist, who is Greeson’s personal therapist, is who first inspired her to offer these treatments.
When Greeson showed up to her therapy appointment, they worked through ways to help her cope with the tragedy. The shooting hit close to home, as her cousin is a junior at MSU and her son attends preschool across the street from campus.
Despite the tragedy, Greeson said these students deserve to feel special.
Greeson said that she is grateful that so many students have come in to see her and hopes that they continue to keep in touch with her.
Based on original reporting by Liz Nass, Jaden Beard and Hannah Holycross.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies and windy with a high of 36 degrees and a low of 27 degrees.
‘It makes me proud to go here’: Spartans support Spartans in ‘Spartan Sunday’ event
In the days following Monday’s mass shooting at Michigan State University, the campus streets and walkways fell cold and empty.
The tragedy took the lives of three Spartans, hospitalized five others and pushed countless students back home — fleeing after a four-hour shelter-in-place and the loss of their classmates. Those who stayed kept to their dorms and apartments. However, something Sunday afternoon pulled students and community members back onto campus.
The event aimed to brighten up campus before classes began again Monday. Trash cleanup, sign-making and crafts were all available to students and community members who chose to take part.
MSU students and staff also made an effort to bring more color to campus by drawing with chalk on sidewalks as well as drawing on the windows of the Main Library.
This event’s goal was to give hope to the Spartan community and remind everyone of the beautiful campus and family we have here in East Lansing.
‘I want to be mindful of how students feel’: Professors make accommodations
As the university returned to classes yesterday, one week after the on-campus mass shooting, some professors are making accommodations to help students.
Epidemiology and biostatistics associate professor David Barondess and Spanish assistant professor Alejandra Márquez are two of the many instructors adjusting their classroom policies and schedules.
Márquez said while she is holding her classes in person for students who would prefer a sense of normality, she is also providing a Zoom link for those who are not ready to return yet. She will not take attendance until spring break and may remove her attendance policy entirely for the remainder of the semester.
As for the accommodations Barondess is making, he said all remaining exams and quizzes will be open-note and will no longer require a lockdown browser. Barondess encourages students to take exams in-person if they need help, but will allow remote exam-taking as well.
Barondess said he has been attending webinars through the university and the College of Human Medicine to learn what steps to take next. The topics include how to teach in a crisis or after a traumatic event.
“We’re having conversations and we’re brainstorming and we’re giving each other ideas to try to get to a place that’s good for the students,” Márquez said.
‘With us forever’: Hundreds line up for tattoos benefitting MSU mass shooting victims’ families
At 5:30 p.m. this past Sunday, five hours after the first tattoo was inked, the line outside of Ink Therapy Lansing was trailing outside of the doors. Some groups waited more than two hours to get the Spartan helmet or a green heart tattooed — art that supported the victims of the mass shooting.
Ink Therapy offers pre-selected tattoo options centered around MSU. Half of the proceeds will go to the victims’ families to help cover their expenses.
The turnout was more than they had expected. 500 people had lined up by the time the shop opened and the line wrapped around the block. Corey Warren, owner of Ink Therapy Lansing said he wouldn’t describe himself as excited, but humbled.
Warren said it’s not about Ink Therapy and it’s not about the tattoos. The event, he said, is for uniting the community and the meaning behind the hashtag that has been shared since Monday: Spartan Strong.
Brittini Warren, Corey’s wife and shop manager of Ink Therapy, was the one who came up with the idea for the event. She was in the middle of getting a tattoo when she heard about the shooting. She became extremely emotional and wanted to do anything to support those affected by it.
She said the turnout has “pulled on every single one of her heartstrings.”
The tattoo shop will continue this deal through this week until Saturday.
Based on original reporting by Chloe Trofatter, Maddy Warren and Liz Nass.
After last week’s occurrence, I hope all of the Michigan State University community including students, staff, faculty, alumni, families, friends, and others who have affiliations with MSU have had time to grieve and mourn this devastating act of violence and hopefully we can move forward positively.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly to mostly cloudy skies with a high of 43 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.
GoFundMe organized for international student paralyzed in Monday’s shooting
International student John Hao has been identified as one of the five Michigan State University students who remain hospitalized after the mass shooting last Monday. A GoFundMe was started by his roommate to raise money for medical costs.
Hao is currently paralyzed from the chest down after a bullet severed his spinal cord and injured his lungs.
Hao’s parents have traveled to East Lansing to be with their son, despite not speaking English and having no way of earning any income while they remain in the US. All funds will allow them to remain in-country while their son recovers.
Hao is a sports enthusiast with “dreams of traveling the globe and having a career in sports management,” according to the GoFundMe page. He is also a leader in the MSU Chinese student community.
Sparrow Hospital senior media relations specialist Corey Alexander said he could confirm that four survivors remain in critical condition, while one survivor is stable.
MSU to pay hospital bills for 5 students injured in Sparrow Hospital following mass shooting
Michigan State University will be covering hospital bills for the five students injured in Sparrow Hospital, Deputy Spokesperson Dan Olsen confirmed.
Hospitality business junior Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez has been identified as one of the five hospitalized students. Her sister, Selena Huapilla-Perez, created a GoFundMe to raise money for hospital costs and compounding expenses. According to the page, Huapilla-Perez’s family, who are migrant workers, are traveling to Michigan from their home in Florida to be with her.
Selena Huapilla-Perez said the family is seeing hospital costs that will burden them during an already difficult time, as the family is away from home, unable to work and Huapilla-Perez does not have insurance.
In addition, the Spartan Strong Fund was created by the university “to provide support for the evolving needs of the individuals most critically impacted,” including student and staff counseling and campus safety enhancements.
Michigan tops Michigan State on night where basketball takes back seat
On Saturday, a basketball game was played between two rivals and two of the best programs in the Big Ten, Michigan State and Michigan. The final score hardly mattered to most in attendance.
The matchup, which ended in 84-72 in favor of the host Wolverines, was a backdrop to a night of healing and a distraction for the entire state of Michigan, still reeling from last Monday night’s shooting on MSU’s campus that left three dead and five injured.
Upon entry into the main arena, all fans were given a white sticker with a green heart and the Spartan head smack dab in the middle. At each seat was a wristband, able to change colors throughout the game.
Both teams were greeted with support from the crowd as they entered for the game itself. Following the typical pre-game festivities, the arena went dim. Overhead lights and the glow of thousands of wristbands painted the Crisler crowd green and white.
A moment of silence was held for the three students that lost their lives in the shooting – Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner – and the additional students still recovering in Sparrow Hospital. Head coach Tom Izzo, never afraid to show his emotions, barely held his tears as his team and staff stood at attention.
Despite the events of the previous week and the clear emotion on display, Michigan State put together a gutsy, almost complete performance on both sides of the court. Led by graduate senior forward Joey Hauser’s 20 points, the excellent play was just not enough to overcome the Wolverines in the final few minutes.
Offensively, the Spartans were carried by three players through the first 20 minutes: senior guard Tyson Walker, senior forward Malik Hall and Hauser.
The Wolverines repeatedly tied up the game through most of the second half, but they couldn’t quite find a way to take the lead. Each time it seemed as though U-M would surge in front, MSU would clamp down and re-extend its lead.
Finally, Michigan battled its way back in front with just over five minutes left in the game. The lead swayed back and forth in the last minutes. Ultimately, the Wolverines hit some dagger three-pointers and outlasted the visitors to secure the victory.
Based on original reporting by Hannah Woehrle, Wajeeha Kamal and Alex Faber.
Welcome back to The State. Many of you have already heard about the tragedy that occurred on our beautiful campus here at Michigan State University. For those who are wondering, the community of MSU experienced a mass shooting in different areas on campus. 3 people have been confirmed dead and 5 people with severe injuries.
With this occurrence, we are continuing to collect ourselves. MSU classes, sporting events, and all other activities have been canceled until Thursday and classes will be canceled for the remainder of the week which leads to the canceling of The State podcast for the rest of the week.
Though it is no longer an active situation, information from MSU Police can be found at police.msu.edu and reporting can be found from our news partners at The State News at statenews.com.
Our hearts go out to all those who were injured, deceased, and of course those who are traumatized and scared by this occurrence.
Continue to be safe and comfort those around you spartan nation.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Today’s weather forecast is predicting a mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon with a high of 53 degrees and a low of 46 degrees.
FINAL: Michigan State suffers heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss to Michigan in the Duel in the D
This past Saturday night, MSU hockey played in the annual Duel in the D matchup against Michigan.
While Friday night’s game saw its fair share of in-state rivalry tussles and brawls, the season finale rematch at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit was rather civil, with 13 total penalties compared to 28 the night before.
The first penalties of the night came at the 6:33 mark when senior forward Jagger Joshua and freshman forward Kienan Draper were sent to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct. Just over two minutes later, Michigan State earned the first power play when sophomore defenseman Luke Hughes was whistled for holding.
MSU and U-M had some good looks in the beginning of the first period, but both teams remained scoreless until the 15:47 mark when Hughes scored on a Wolverine power play after freshman forward Karsen Dorwart sat for roughing.
For the second night in a row, the story of the second period was penalties. At 17:11, Michigan was caught with too many men, handing MSU another opportunity on the man advantage. 40 seconds later, Jagger was assessed a 10-minute misconduct for abuse of officials. The final penalty of the frame was given to sophomore defenseman Ethan Edwards for slashing, so Michigan State skated 5-on-3 with 1:04 left.
Still tied 3-3 at the end of regulation, both teams entered a five minute, 3-on-3, sudden-death overtime period. Sophomore forward Dylan Duke was whistled for tripping at 2:14, handing the Spartans a 4-on-3 power play.
Both teams fought tooth and nail in the waning minutes of overtime, mustering all their strength to keep the opponent from scoring the game-winner. Michigan fired four shots on net after Duke entered the box, the last being Hughes’ game-winner and making the final score 4-3.
Pharmacy technician shortage causes strain in hospital and retail pharmacies
A national staffing shortage of pharmacy technicians has left retail and clinical pharmacies to struggle keeping up with demand.
Sparrow Hospital Pharmacy Director Todd Belding said the shortage began before the COVID-19 pandemic but was exacerbated by the fear of being exposed to the virus in a healthcare setting.
As a national staff shortage took hold of restaurants and retailers, pharmacy technicians watched as companies raised starting wages from the minimum legal amount – meanwhile, pharmacy technicians were getting paid a similar wage and having to undergo a higher amount of pressure in their workplace, Michigan Pharmacists’ Association CEO Mark Glasper said.
The decrease in demand for training programs leads to the schools struggling to stay open and provide trainings. Less availability in accredited programs means the pharmacy technicians that are starting out in the field will receive on-the-job training from their employers, director of the pharmacy technician program at Henry Ford College Keith Binion said.
When the pay is not justifying the stress nor presenting the opportunity for serious career advancement, the employees seek other opportunities, according to Glasper. This still leaves pharmacies with the demand to fill prescriptions.
As the pharmacy technician shortage continues, Binion endorses accredited training programs, like the one he runs at Henry Ford College, to show potential pharmacy technicians the career possibilities in the field. This helps students feel there is a future in being a pharmacy technician.
‘Love can be all kinds of things’; Broad Art Museum hosts Anti-Valentine’s Day event
This past Friday, the Broad Art Museum held an Anti-Valentine’s Day party. The “Love is a Monster” event invited people to express themselves and their thoughts on love through art.
The event took place in two areas: the conversation guide wing and the education wing. Registered attendees were able to customize their own free tote bag, create and write cards and take pictures in front of a decorated wall.
The conversation guide included a checklist of art that encourages people to talk with others. For example, one item on the list asks one to find a work of art that reminds them of a friend. Participants are then encouraged to call that friend and describe the artwork to them.
Museum director of education Michelle Word was excited to bring back the event for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the name of the event might make it seem like it’s completely against Valentine’s Day, Word said it serves as a way of “bringing people together around art,” to have conversations and relax.
Michigan State University alum and museum employee Cate Dombrowski said both the museum and the event, are great ways for people to see art in the community.
Dombrowski said Valentine’s Day shouldn’t just be about people who have partners, and she doesn’t think there’s one specific way to celebrate it.
Based on original reporting by Maddy Warren, Maggie George and PJ Pfeiffer.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies with a high of 46 degrees and a low of 30 degrees.
MSU board approves research facility in Henry Ford Health’s new Detroit campus
Michigan State University’s board has approved an expansion of the university’s partnership with Henry Ford Health, or HFH. In a unanimously approved motion at Friday’s meeting, the construction of a research building in HFH’s recently unveiled Detroit campus was set into motion.
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Norm Beauchamp, the MSU administrator charged with coordinating the partnership, told the board Friday that the expansion is part of a broader effort by MSU and HFH to address inequity in healthcare by bringing high-quality services to medically underserved communities in Detroit.
The resolution promises to “solicit input” from the campus community as the research center is planned.
Aside from the research facility, the surrounding area is set to include commercial, residential and hotel developments.
Flint placed under boil water advisory, includes MSU buildings in the city
The city of Flint is under a boil water advisory for cooking and drinking after a major water main break, according to a press statement released his past Friday at 10:15 a.m.
All Michigan State University property in Flint is included in the boil water advisory.
The source of the break was identified on Cedar Street near the Shelter of Flint, according to the press statement.
City of Flint Acting Communications Director Caitie O’Neill refused to provide comment until after the city held a press conference.
Tower Guard to host Beaumont Tower Valentine’s Day date
Michigan State University’s Tower Guard will be hosting a Valentine’s Day date in the Beaumont Tower for the second year in a row. A second-year honor’s student organization, the group focuses on serving the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, or RCPD, here at MSU.
The tower will be decorated with streamers and balloons for Valentine’s Day and the dinner date will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m tomorrow. Part of the proceeds will go towards the Tower Guard Member Scholarship and part will go to the RCPD.
The contest has a low-stakes raffle-style entry.
The raffle ended at 5 p.m. yesterday and a random generator will pick the winning raffle.
Only one person will win, but they can bring a guest of their choice. The winner will receive a DoorDash gift card for a local dinner at their desired restaurant.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters, Maggie Goerge and Selma Cogo.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with a high of 35 degrees and a low of 22 degrees. For the weekend, it looks like it will be mid to high 40’s and sunny.
New East Lansing Council member Noel Garcia Jr. details his priorities for nine-month term
Noel Garcia Jr., a former DeWitt Township resident, fell in love with East Lansing after enrolling his twin boys in Red Cedar Elementary School.
The city had exactly what Garcia’s family yearned for — diversity. Garcia and his boys have been in the city for over a decade now.
Last month, Garcia was appointed to East Lansing City Council, making him the first Latino to hold such a position.
Garcia, in a 4-0 vote, was chosen by the East Lansing City Council to serve the council’s vacancy following the resignation of Lisa Babcock, who was elected to be a judge. He will complete Babcock’s term that ends this upcoming November.
However, Garcia hopes the seat is not just a temporary gig, as he plans to run for reelection after the term ends.
Garcia began his career in law enforcement as one of the few officers of Hispanic descent at the Lansing Police Department. Wanting a change, Garcia approached then-Capt. Mike Dawson, who was in charge of human resources, where Garcia had then been put on a recruiting team and made the first full-time recruiting officer at the department.
Following allegations from seven Black officers facing disparate treatment by the department’s disciplinary process, Garcia partnered with Terry Curry, Michigan State University professor and present-day associate provost, in changing the department’s disciplinary policies.
Garcia is an Ingham Intermediate School District Wilson Talent Center law enforcement instructor with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University. He also used to be a former adjunct professor at MSU.
With his background and new role, Garcia hopes to improve residents’ relationships with the East Lansing Police Department.
Suzy Merchant releases statement following medical episode
Michigan State Head Women’s Basketball Coach Suzy Merchant was involved in a minor one-vehicle accident last Saturday morning caused by a health incident that prevented her from traveling with the team for their game against Illinois on Sunday.
On Monday morning, the team announced that Merchant was released from Sparrow Hospital and is currently at home resting.
Merchant released her first statement Tuesday night since the accident thanking everyone for their support and well wishes in the statement and said she is continuing to focus on her health and taking the time necessary to get back to 100%.
It is unclear when Merchant will return to her position as head coach, but Associate Head Coach Dean Lockwood has assumed the interim position in her absence.
MSU students debate who they think will win The Super Bowl
With the weekend approaching, it means it’s time to frantically come up with an excuse to support one of the teams participating in The Super Bowl because unfortunately, our favorite team didn’t make it.
The Super Bowl is America’s most popular sporting event year after year. Millions gather to watch the two best teams in The National Football League duke it out to claim perhaps the most prestigious honor in American sports. The winning franchise is praised for the next calendar year as fans rejoice by following their success all season.
Most football fans will enjoy the high intensity of the game by watching the best in the business go head-to-head. Other watchers will pay attention to the marketing details, such as the special commercials and prominent halftime shows.
Students at Michigan State University are thrilled to watch the highly anticipated matchup between The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles — even if they have different ideas of who might win.
Kinesiology freshman Rebecca Seely watched the Kansas City Chiefs’ game before they advanced to the Super Bowl, and she wasn’t impressed.
“They didn’t do very well I think personally, so I’m betting on the Eagles,” Seely said.
Construction management freshman Griffin O’Brien is excited to watch the big game but is paying attention to the way the contest is trending.
“I think the Chiefs are going to win,” O’Brien said. “I think they have the better defense – I think both offenses compare, they’re very similar, except the Chiefs have the better defense so they’ll be able to shut down the Eagles.”
In terms of rooting for a team to come out victorious, some students don’t like either of the teams — as rivalries are certainly no joke.
James Madison freshman Benjamin Stewart said, “I’m rooting for the Eagles right now because I’m not a big Chiefs fan and I’m a Broncos fan,”
Super Bowl 57 will take place this Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Based on original reporting by Wajeeha Kamal, Bella Johnson and Jacob Smith.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend.
Today
- MSU Wrestling will take on Indiana at 6:30PM at Jenison Field House.
- Hockey will end out the night against Michigan at 7PM at Munn Ice Arena.
Sunday
- Women’s Tennis will play Marquette at 11AM at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.
- Women’s Basketball will take on Penn State at 3PM right here at the Breslin Center.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain early in the day and then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon with a high of 52 degrees and a low of 32 degrees.
FBI investigating hoax school shooting reports with local law enforcement
Okemos High School was evacuated on Tuesday, Feb. 7, after a call to police gave false reports of shots fired in the building. Various school districts around the state received similar calls.
Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wrigglesworth said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon that the dispatch call had claimed there was an active shooter inside the school and there were injuries pertaining to a specific classroom.
Wrigglesworth arrived at Okemos High School and said two Meridian Township officers entered the school and were able to get to the specific room and clear it within six minutes of the phone call being placed. The officers quickly found no signs of an active shooter or injuries on the campus.
The students were quickly evacuated to the football field where they waited for busses to arrive to take them to the reunification point at 242 Church.
FBI Special Agent David Porter said the FBI is working in coordination with several other local and state law enforcement agencies in communities affected by the hoax report.
Porter said it is still to be determined whether or not the various calls are connected at this time and since the investigation is still ongoing, Meridian Township Police Chief Ken Plaga said the details of the call are not available to be shared.
Superintendent of Okemos Public Schools John Hood also announced that the district was to be closed yesterday, but sporting events resumed.
Miscommunication leads to confusion at Okemos High School after false shooting report
Following the initial evacuation to the school’s football field, parents were instructed to gather at 242 Community Church to be reunified with their children by police on scene. Empty buses began filling the church parking lot due to a miscommunication as to where the students were.
There was also a lack of communication between the school and parents regarding their children’s whereabouts, parents said.
A mass email was sent to parents by the school at 10:26 a.m. telling parents “ALL Okemos public students and staff are safe.”
Meridian Police Chief Ken Plaga said students who drove themselves to school that day would be dismissed back to their vehicles to drive themselves home. Students who did not drive were not allowed to leave the evacuation point.
This incident at OHS was a part of a series of false calls made to high schools throughout the state Tuesday morning, including in Ann Arbor, Portage, Jackson, Battle Creek and Muskegon.
New Board of Trustees to hold first spring meeting on Friday
The Board of Trustees, featuring two new trustees and a new chair, will hold its first regular meeting of the spring semester tomorrow at 9 a.m. in room 401 of the Hannah Administration Building. The meeting will be trustee Rema Vassar’s first as chair after being elected to the position on Jan. 11.
The meeting will be livestreamed online. Public participation speakers must pre-register at least 48 hours before the start of the meeting. Public participation will occur at the end of the meeting.
The agenda includes approval of the construction of the new Multicultural Center. The building would be located near Shaw Hall and, if approved, construction would begin in April 2023, with “substantial completion” by October 2024.
In addition to the authorization to proceed with building the Multicultural Center, the budget and finance committee will recommend the purchase of two properties, located at 4600 and 4700 Hagadorn Rd., in order to consolidate MSU Health Care Inc. to one location.
The committee will also recommend authorization for administration to enter agreements for the construction of a turfgrass testing facility. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA, will fund and construct the facility, which will be available for MSU’s use at the end of FIFA’s project. The project is focused on developing a turfgrass system that can be used temporarily in indoor and outdoor stadiums.
Authorization to plan a new research building in Detroit in line with MSU’s agreement with Henry Ford Health will also be recommended to the board, along with authorization to plan the renewal of Campbell Hall, which is in need of “major infrastructure repairs.” Finally, the committee will recommend proceeding with the reconstruction of the Farm Lane Bridge.
Based on original reporting by Bella Johnson, Maggie George and Vivian Barrett.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies in the morning which will lead to cloudy skies during the afternoon with a high of 45 degrees and a low of 34 degrees.
MSU to recognize excellence in diversity, equity and inclusion
The Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion awards ceremony will be held on Feb. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Big Ten Room at the Kellogg Hotel. MSU will be recognizing those who demonstrated above and beyond contributions to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the fields of research, teaching, programming, community work and organizational change.
Audrey Bentley, senior outreach coordinator in the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, said the award program has been going on since 1990 and it was one of the first DEI programs in higher education across the nation.
Over 200 organizations, teams and individuals have been recognized for the work they’ve put into not only the university, but also through community outreach incentives.
Although the event is open invitation, this year’s capacity has been reached, with over 500 people registered to attend.
Among others, MSU Extension’s Children and Youth Institute LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Team will also be honored for spreading their message of friendly, positive energy towards Michigan LGBTQIA+ youth since 2020.
There were no self-nominations this year. Everyone that was in the running was nominated by someone else. Candidates were evaluated based on paper submissions and interviews were conducted with individuals that made the first cut.
MSU Live On to host roommate match event
The MSU Live On Campus Crew is hosting a roommate match event today, in Holmes Hall from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will include speed friending, bingo, games and snacks.
Residence Education and Housing Services Associate Director for Communications Bethany Balks said a roommate matching event has been held every year since 2018 and has been very popular among students.
While the event is communicated primarily to first-year students who will be living on-campus again due to the two-year live-on requirement, the event is open to all students. The event will begin with speed friending, styled similarly to speed dating, to allow students to mingle for about an hour.
While MSU’s My College Roomie app gives students an avenue to find potential roommates, Balks said it is important to speak face-to-face.
Students can find the registration on liveon.msu.edu.
The meteoric rise of the mocktail in Lansing
Several establishments throughout Greater Lansing have begun to add non-alcoholic cocktails to their menus, giving an option to those who still desire the sophisticated taste and social environment without having to consume alcohol. These drinks are commonly referred to as “mocktails.”
Lansing bars and restaurants such as The Grid Arcade & Bar and The Avenue have stepped up, adding mocktails to their menus. The establishments have given those who do not drink the ability to join in on an environment in which many are consuming alcohol.
The Grid Arcade & Bar offers four mocktails, the Great Gazoo, No Whammies, Swamp Thing and The Smurf. Using a carbonated nonalcoholic beverage as a base, the Grid compliments the bubbles with citruses and sweets like berries and lime.
The Grid is hoping to add a few more mocktails to the menu in order to accommodate the wide variety of tastebuds.
Bar and restaurant The Avenue offers a mocktail called “I Prefer Podcasts” which mixes fresh orange juice, ginger beer and brown sugar simple.
Although the establishment displays one mocktail on their menu, that does not limit the bartenders who are free to use their imagination for mixing drinks.
Blue Owl Coffee offers a menu of coffee cocktails from which patrons can choose. From the Ol’ Blue, a nonalcoholic twist on an Old Fashioned, to the Dubliner and Mackinac, two coffee cocktails resembling Fireball, Blue Owl Coffee has created nonalcoholic drinks that encompass staple cocktails.
Based on original reporting by Selma Cogo, Vivian Barrett and Anna Ryan.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers with a high of 45 degrees and a low of 30 degrees.
ASMSU passes sanctuary campus bill
ASMSU passed a sanctuary campus bill at its Feb. 2 general assembly meeting.
A sanctuary campus is a term taken from the Sanctuary City Movement that establishes a college campus as a place in which there are certain policies to safeguard students and/or faculty that are undocumented immigrants. This includes limiting what information about students is given to federal immigration authorities as well as providing many resources for students and faculty.
The bill encourages working to establish Michigan State University as a sanctuary campus to further help its student and faculty.
The bill was officially presented during the time dedicated to new business.
Senior class president and general assembly liaison Jack Metty said the sanctuary campus provides a safe and secure environment for those who need protection.
Most representatives agreed to support the bill.
Lansing Roller Derby skates into new season after three-year hiatus
Lansing Roller Derby is back for a regular season, after a three-year hiatus from normal gameplay.
Lansing Roller Derby president and coach Ali Jahr broke down the sport for those who may not be familiar: Roller derby bouts comprise two 30-minute halves, where each team has five players from each team on the track. One is a “jammer, they are the point-scorer.” Four blockers work to prevent the jammer from scoring points.
Before joining Lansing Roller Derby in 2017, Jennifer Hume, who is on the adult team, never put on skates.
Now, Hume, who goes by her derby name, “Highland Kapow,” has played blocker for both the A team and the B team.
A poll by Lansing Roller Derby finds that 41% of their team members considered themselves athletic before joining a roller derby team.
The season consists of one home game each month, where the league plays amongst each other until May. From May to November is the travel season, where the team will travel to other cities and states across the Midwest.
At the end of the season, Jahr said there is the “Mitten Kitten Tournament” where “all of the teams come together and play against each other to see who’s the best in the state.”
The season will look different than those past because of how COVID-19 altered practices and gameplay.
Jahr is ready to play and be with players and teammates like she was pre-pandemic.
A list of Black-led clubs at MSU focused on empowering Black students
With over 1,000 registered clubs and organizations, MSU is home to many that are Black-led and Black-focused. If you are looking to get involved especially with the celebration of this month being Black History month, here are a couple of clubs that can offer a safe, relatable and representative space to Black students.
First, is Black Mental Health Coalition Club.
Psychology senior Ajhané Kindle is the president of the Black Mental Health Coalition Club – an organization focused on the stigma surrounding Black mental health. Through events, students work to empower its members in a safe environment.
Kindle said that the club can act as an outlet for minorities attending a predominantly white institution. She said minorities come to the club feeling like they do not “have a really big space on this campus.”
Next, Black Girl Fitness which works to increase the number of women that practice healthy lifestyles, by providing a “comfortable setting to reach their fitness goals.”
The club discusses healthy eating, living and partaking in physical activity, which includes various fitness workouts. Previously, the club has attended Black Girl Day of Play at the State Capitol.
Finally, the Black Media and Entertainment Club, or BME, calls itself “the voice of campus.”
Black Media Entertainment provides quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs for MSU’s campus, according to their website. BME has hosted events such as vision board parties, game nights and bar crawls.
More clubs and organizations can be found on The State News website.
Based on original reporting by Maddie Dallas and PJ Pfieffer.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies and then showers later at night with a high of 36 degrees and a low of 29 degrees.
MSU obtains rare emergency readiness accreditation
Michigan State University announced last Thursday that it obtained a second accreditation term from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program, or EMAP, a nonprofit which sets and reviews standards for institutions’ emergency readiness. MSU remains the only university in the Midwest and in the Big Ten to hold an EMAP accreditation.
The “emergency readiness” reviewed in the process can include everything from mass-shootings, natural disasters and public-health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The status lasts for five years. MSU was first accredited in 2017 and the university spent much of the 2021-2022 academic year attempting to meet EMAP’s requirements for a second term.
MSU Police Department Spokesperson Dana Whyte said, “The reason why accreditation is important to us is that we want our campus to feel safe and know that we are making these efforts towards improving our safety response.”
This announcement comes amid a dramatic rise in US mass shootings. A 2022 Best Colleges survey of 1,000 undergraduate students found that 60% of students considered campus safety as a factor in their college decision.
MSU is one of only eight universities to hold an EMAP accreditation and the only one in Michigan.
Organizations pay a subscription and a fee for review when seeking accreditation. According to EMAP’s website, an institution of MSU’s size would pay $7,950 to be considered. MSU did not provide the additional cost of on-site reviews by the time of publication.
Students navigate health care for pets in college
Adopting a pet in college helps to relieve stress and have a companion through the ups and downs of a semester. It also poses a set of responsibilities that otherwise force the pet’s caretaker to consider the needs of a being outside themselves.
These new responsibilities can be pronounced when a student decides to bring a pet into their college home, the pet’s health is a new responsibility for the student to navigate.
Psychology and criminal justice senior Aya Altantawi said that looking back on her experience, she wishes she had paid closer attention to the online reviews of the veterinary office she took her cats to. Despite her hometown’s location having good reviews, the location in Lansing sent her on the hunt for a new veterinarian.
Altantawi said with veterinarians, students will “get what you pay for,” and more research would have landed her cats in better care sooner.
For public relations junior Evelyn Sowerby, she was incentivized to bring her cats to a clinic soon after they were adopted from Capital Area Humane Society. She said she took advantage of an offer to have the cost of her cats’ first checkup appointment waived at certain clinics in the area since she adopted from CAHS.
Having grown up with cats her whole life, Sowerby said she paid attention to making sure they had food and water, but being a pet owner in college presents a new set of challenges.
The financial strain can add an extra source of stress, and an emergency pet fund may be necessary.
Besides the general upkeep of a pet’s health, human biology junior Sydney June said she suggests simplifying care for a pet when possible. For example, she has a service which ships her cat’s food to her apartment.
Black History Month events on campus to attend this February
February is Black History Month and there will be many opportunities to celebrate on campus. Open up your planners and jot down these campus-wide events honoring Black history.
First, this Thursday, “Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey” with Angela Davis will happen at 5 p.m. at the Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre. Angela Davis will be the speaker at the second lecture in Dr. William G. Anderson’s Lecture Series. Davis is a famous activist for Black liberation, a feminist and an educator who has authored 11 books.
On Friday, a Zoom webinar will occur from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. focusing on celebrating Black History Month. The virtual event will feature Ebony Omotola McGee, author of “Black, Brown, Bruised: How Racialized STEM Education Stifles Innovation.” McGee is also a professor of diversity and STEM at Vanderbilt University.
In addition to these Black History Month-specific events, there are more ways to celebrate the month at MSU. Throughout the month, there will be several performances showcasing Black art and artists.
Several of MSU’s registered student organizations will also have their own events for Black History Month. The Black Student Alliance has named Feb. 13 through Feb. 17 to be “Black Love Week.”
For those looking to find shows happening at the Wharton Center can visit the Wharton Center website. Also, those looking to stay updated with Black History Month events can visit @blackmsuconnect on Instagram.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters, Maggie George and Amalia Medina.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting sunshine and clouds mixed with a high of 10 degrees and a low of 4 degrees. For the weekend, it looks like it will be mixed of high and low 30’s and mainly cloudy with some sun on Saturday.
MSU football welcomes DL coach Diron Reynolds
In a press conference Wednesday morning, Michigan State football welcomed a host of new faces to the program, including defensive line coach Diron Reynolds, a couple of transfer portal additions and a few early enrollees.
A few weeks after defensive line coach Marco Coleman departed for Georgia Tech, MSU hired Reynolds to fill the slot.
The newly-minted coach has experience in both the NFL and college football. He spent the last seven years coaching with Stanford in the PAC-12. Reynold’s NFL experience includes stints with the Vikings, Colts and Dolphins.
A few things that attracted Reynolds to MSU included the current roster, incoming freshmen, and transfers. Mel Tucker’s desire to create a more NFL-focused environment was another aspect that drew him to the program.
In terms of defensive identity, Reynolds believes that stopping the run is key to the success of the entire defense, including an improved pass-rush.
Reynolds will certainly have his work cut out for him. He enters a defense that finished 101st in the nation in yards allowed per game. He’ll have a handful of older, experienced players like defensive end/linebacker Jacoby Windmon and younger, talented players like incoming freshman defensive edge Bai Jobe.
Lansing enters code blue emergency, opens shelters from cold weather
City officials in Lansing instituted Code Blue as of 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Code Blue indicates the Department of Human Relations and Community Services policy for extreme cold temperatures.
In a press statement from his office, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor directed both the Department of Human Relations and Community Services (HRCS) and the Lansing Fire Department’s Emergency Management Division to begin preparation for Code Blue, the plan in effect through Sunday, Feb. 5 at 8 a.m.
Low temperatures for yesterday and today are expected to be below five degrees Fahrenheit.
The cold weather response plan provides “resources for any population identified that could be endangered” which includes warming centers that can be found on the City of Lansing’s website.
MSU Child Development Labs to expand after receiving $2.1 million in funding
Michigan State University’s Child Development Laboratory is an institution open to the public, offering full-day preschool programs for children ages birth to kindergarten. It recently secured $2,187,500 in funding to expand both its buildings and outreach.
A proposal was submitted to open a Lansing site that would help children most at risk within the community. In turn, MSU would be able to introduce over 100 teachers for the state and community, taking charge against the state-wide teacher shortage.
The money comes from U.S. Rep Elissa Slotkin’s project to fund local projects across mid-Michigan. Child Development Laboratories Director Laurie Linscott said she submitted a proposal to Slotkin through MSU Governmental Relations and it was chosen.
The child development lab already has two sites: Central School, located on Grand River and Hillcrest, and Haslett Public Schools’ Head Start. With this new round of funding, a third site will be generated within the Lansing area.
Based on original reporting by Alex Faber, Kelsey Dantuma and Selma Cogo.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Today
- Men’s Tennis will go up against Ball State at 12PM
- Women’s Tennis playing Liberty at 5PM
- Hockey will go up against Notre Dame at 7PM
Tomorrow
- Hockey will play Notre Dame again at 4PM
- Gymnastics will go up against Penn State at 7PM
Sunday
- Women’s Tennis will play Miami (OH) at 10AM and then also Bowling Green at 2PM
- Wrestling will take on Illinois at 2PM
- Women’s Basketball will play Michigan at 3PM
Today’s weather forecast is predicting sunny skies during the morning and then overcast in the afternoon with a high of 32 degrees and a low of 3 degrees.
Faculty and student committee demand social-consciousness, transparency from MSU’s investments
MSU’s University Council, a legislature of faculty and student representatives, passed a resolution Tuesday demanding the university center ethics and social-consciousness in its investments.
The resolution asked that the board committee charged with investing MSU’s $4.4 billion endowment meet publicly and be more transparent about its decisions. The resolution is non-binding; MSU’s board could vote on adopting it, or ignore it altogether.
The resolution follows years of activism protesting the MSU’s nearly $90 million fossil-fuels investment portfolio. MSU has repeatedly argued that divesting those funds would lead to breach-of-contract litigation, possibly ending in the university paying more to the oil and gas companies than if they let the investments expire in 2031.
Despite the issue with the existing fossil-fuel portfolio driving the discourse, supporters of the resolution said it focuses on a more transparent and socially-conscious process and philosophy going forward – not any specific current or future investments.
The bill passed with support of 84% of the committee.
Critics of the bill said the resolution didn’t align with their intended priorities for the investment committee, arguing that socially conscious investments would provide smaller returns to the university.
No foul play suspected in Knob Hill apartment fire
The Meridian Township Fire Department concluded the investigation into the two fires at Knob Hill Apartments located in Okemos, which initially began on Dec. 21.
The department concluded the cause of the fire is undetermined. Meridian Township Fire Marshal Tavis Millerov said there was no sign of suspicious activity.
Both buildings, Knob Hill Apartments were determined to be a total loss and was torn down.
The origin of the fire was on a couch in a garden level apartment.
During recovery efforts, one person was found deceased, who was later identified to be Raymond Naseef, 52, of Okemos.
Two Okemos teachers who lived in the second building that caught fire, alerted many residents of the fire.
DB Khary Crump sentenced to probation and community service for tunnel incident
At a hearing at the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor Tuesday morning, redshirt sophomore defensive back Khary Crump was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service for the misdemeanor assault charges filed after the incident in Michigan’s player tunnel.
Out of the seven counts brought against Michigan State players involved in the incident, Crump’s was the only felony. His offense was reduced to a misdemeanor as he pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges. In the footage released of the Oct. 29 incident, Crump was seen using a helmet in the fight.
Crump’s record will be wiped clean if he completes probation, thanks to his sentencing under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.
Four of the other players charged with misdemeanor assault could have their charges dismissed, according to reporting from the Detroit News and MLive. Junior defensive back Angelo Grose, redshirt sophomore Itayvion Brown, senior defensive lineman Brandon Wright and redshirt junior defensive back Justin White all entered a diversionary program last week. The four could have their charges dismissed after working with the probation office. They are scheduled for another hearing on Feb 24.
The two other players charged with misdemeanors, freshman defensive lineman Zion Young and linebacker/defensive lineman Jacoby Windmon, have yet to enter the diversionary program.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters, Hannah Holycross, Wajeeha Kamal and Alex Faber.
Happy February! Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy with a high of 26 degrees and a low of 17 degrees.
Trust, transparency, transformative leadership: Vassar shares goals for term as board
At the end of 2022, the MSU Board of Trustees left campus in the wake of several no-confidence votes from students and faculty, a presidential resignation, a trustee resignation and admissions of distrust within the board. Newly-elected board chair Rema Vassar, who took over the position of chair on Jan. 11, said restoring trust and transparency is her first priority.
With two new board members, Dennis Denno and Sandy Pierce, Vassar said she is optimistic about a fresh start. The board will also begin professional development, which Vassar hopes will be “the glue that brings (the board) together.”
Vassar said she will be responsive to concerns around issues that happened outside of her term as chair or as a trustee.
She also said establishing better working relationships within the board is essential to the work she wants to accomplish as chair. Her goal is to provide “transformative leadership” to the entire Spartan community.
One of Vassar’s larger goals as chair is to bring rural and urban students together for a “cross-cultural experience.” She envisions an on-campus experience for eighth through tenth grade students to encourage their potential.
Overall, she hopes to use this opportunity to empower others during her two year term as chair.
Broadway musical ‘Jagged Little Pill’ coming to the Wharton Center
“Jagged Little Pill” has come to the Wharton Center as of yesterday and will be here through Sunday, Feb. 5. The musical is centered around the idea of the imperfect Healy family as they deal with tribulations presented by modern-day struggles.
“Jagged Little Pill” is a jukebox musical; its namesake an album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette.
Lani Corson, who plays the role of Mary Jane Healy, describes the story of “Jagged Little Pill” as surrounding a “seemingly perfect family who is actually dealing with a myriad of issues.”
Corson said the musical touches on several topics that are relevant in today’s society.
In addition to playing the role of Mary Jane Healy, Corson also participates in the production as an ensemble cast member.
Corson said being a member of the ensemble cast involves “being an integral part of the storytelling. Members of the ensemble are known as the “conscience” of the performance, she said.
Corson takes on the roles that lean “more on the comedic side” as an ensemble member. In order to accomplish this, she said she must find the voices and mannerisms of each of her characters.
Corson hopes the audience will see themselves in the characters portrayed in the musical.
Those who are looking to buy tickets can find them on the Wharton Center website.
MSU names Wilson Centennial Farms as 2023 Dairy Farm of the Year
The MSU Department of Animal Science will be presenting its 2023 Dairy Farm of the Year Award this upcoming Friday. This year, the department has recognized Nancy and Brent Wilson of Wilson Centennial Farms as recipients of the award.
According to chairperson of the Department of Animal Science Cathy Ernst, the selection begins with a competitive nomination process, during which people on and off campus may nominate farms they feel represent the best of Michigan.
Wilson Centennial Farms is a seventh generation family farm with Brent and Nancy Wilson being the fifth generation. They have two sons, Tyler and Ben, who are set to continue managing the farm in the years to come.
Brent Wilson said the history of the farm reaches back to 1851 when his great great grandfather came from Portage County, Ohio and officially established Wilson Centennial Farms. Over the years, the family has continued to expand the farm and its scope of success.
Beyond individual farm success, the Wilsons have also opened their farm to many MSU students and researchers, providing opportunities for internships, research and more.
The award is set to be given on Feb. 3 in Mount Pleasant at the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference, where Brent and Nancy Wilson will be in attendance to receive it.
Based on original reporting by Vivian Barrett, Jaden Beard and Siya Modi.
Welcome to the last day of January! Today’s weather forecast is predicting mostly sunny skies during the morning hours and then will become overcast in the afternoon with a high of 17 degrees and a low of 8 degrees.
Impact dominates in third annual broomball showcase
This past Friday night, the Spartans’ home rink, The Munn, was filled with over 100 people who are usually covering hockey games; student journalists.
A group of four student organizations gathered Friday night to face off in Impact’s third annual broomball match. The groups included host Impact 89FM, MSU’s student radio station, the State News, Spartan Sports Report and MSU Telecasters.
The contest has historically just been a competition between Impact and the State News but with a mismatch in manpower in recent years, the decision was made to extend an invitation to other student organizations.
The goal was to make the game more competitive as Impact has handily won every meeting. Some goals aren’t always met.
Impact dominated the game and took home its third consecutive victory, 5-2.
With music blaring and cheers from the bench ringing through Munn Ice Arena, Impact got off to a hot start. The game was played in five-minute shifts in which play was then stopped for substitutions. Impact scored before the first switch.
It started early with a loose-ball collection on the near-side boards in the attacking zone. Impact News Director, Zac Slowik had a big night as he finished with two goals, two assists and was +4 while on the ice.
The State News put forth a quality effort in a comeback attempt in the second half of the game.
Despite minimal offensive chances due to Impact’s suffocating backline defense, MSU Telecasters sideshow producer Danny Zivian was heavily involved in any chances that did come about. He made a crisp pass to State News men’s basketball beat reporter Melanie Soverinsky who smacked the ball past goalkeeper Zach Surdenik for the team’s first goal of the game.
As the clock ticked ever so close to zero, Impact held a decisive 4-2 lead. Yet, the radio broadcasters were not satisfied. Specialty show host of The Vibe, Matt Anikiej, was the benefactor of a mad dash in front of the goal as he scored WDBM’s fifth and final goal of the contest.
The horn sounded and a swarm of Impacters donning all-black attire gathered around the shiny gold trophy at center ice. Hugs, high fives, screams of excitement and joyous laughter were abundant in the post-game celebration.
Mayor Ron Bacon holds listening session over safety in East Lansing schools
East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon hosted a listening session at Hannah Community Center on Friday, Jan. 27, in which he addressed questions and concerns from parents, students and others about safety in East Lansing public schools.
The meeting took place due to several events of violent and non-violent offenses at East Lansing High School, or ELHS, and MacDonald Middle School, or MMS.
ELHS was not opened for students on Jan. 27.
The session was moderated by Dorinda Carter Andrews, Michigan State University chairperson for the Department of Teacher Education and professor of race, culture and equity.
Several comments were made by students saying they did not feel comfortable in the bathrooms at the middle school and high school.
The high school was put in a Shelter-in-Place on Tuesday, Jan. 24, because of a student who had made threats of harm towards an administrator. The student had received consequences for a non-violent offense.
The student then became upset, left the building and was overheard making threats. The student was let back into the school by a peer and hid in the bathroom. The East Lansing Police Department was then requested to help assist in removing the student from the building.
East Lansing resident and ELHS assistant football coach Rufus Jackson said a lot of the problems occurring now have been going on for some time.
ELHS class of 2019 graduate Drake Johnson said the security was not just there to protect the students, but to interact with them and meet them on a personal level.
Wharton Center students host first annual silent disco
The Wharton Center Students held its first Silent Disco at the Wharton Center on Friday. The event included raffle prizes, food and dancing.
Upon arrival, attendees were given headphones that connected to three channels of music playlists. Genres included broadway, pop and EDM. Attendees could choose their music and adjust their volume based on their preference.
The disco was split into two rooms – one with a lighter atmosphere, food, seating and the raffle and another room for dancing. A DJ played one of the music channels through speakers in the dance room on a low volume.
Computer science freshman Amanda Saunders said she had never attended a silent disco before, but she enjoyed going out with friends to something new.
Saunders said students shouldn’t be afraid to try something new like a silent disco – it’s worth a try at least once for a fun experience, she said.
Tickets to the silent disco sold out days in advance, but there are plans that Wharton Center Students plan to hold a Silent Disco annually.
Based on original reporting by Brendan Schabath, Anna Ryan and Ellie Young.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with a high of 20 degrees and a low of 1 degree.
Three MSU online graduate programs earn top 10 rankings
Three Michigan State University online graduate programs were ranked in the top 10 of programs across the country for 2023 by U.S. News & World Report.
The Broad College of Business’ online non-MBA graduate program was ranked No. 6. This is the first time the program has made its way to the top 10, jumping six spots from its No. 12 ranking in 2022.
When looking at non-MBA online master’s programs for veterans, Broad ranks No. 3.
The College of Education’s online master’s program ranked No. 10 overall. The program also ranked in the top 10 for all four specific disciplinary areas the U.S. News & World Report recognizes.
The MSU College of Education program earned the No. 1 ranking for online master’s in curriculum and instruction, No. 2 for educational administration, No. 6 for educational/instructional media design and No. 7 for special education.
For the seventh year in a row, the College of Social Science’s online master’s program in criminal justice earned a top 10 ranking. The program earned a No. 6 ranking and was ranked No. 5 in 2022 and 2021.
The Junction looks to provide space for live music and dancing
Green Dot Stables has officially reopened under a new name: The Junction.
While Green Dot Stables was solely a restaurant and bar, The Junction’s new part-owners expanded on the idea of entertainment, now incorporating live music and dancing.
Co-owner Kyle Hickman said the new establishment is a performance space with a restaurant serving good quality bar food.
While the Green Dots sliders will remain on the menu, The Junction is introducing new items like tacos, macaroni and cheese and more items customers might see on a traditional bar menu.
The Junction resides in a building with a history of live entertainment. When the location was known as the Whiskey Barrel Saloon, line dancing was a big hit.
In keeping history alive, the new owners of The Junction have brought in Whiskey Barrel’s former line dance instructors Lois and Rich Klender.
The two have been line dancing for the past 29 years, and they started teaching around 2000.
Not only does The Junction host line dancing, but they also host a wide variety of other events.
In previous years, the Lansing and East Lansing venues have hosted artists such as rapper and singer Macklemore and violinist Lindsey Stirling. The owners of The Junction hope to bring back some of those big names, feeling as though there aren’t any other large music venues in Lansing.
Not only did the owners want to bring back live music, they also wanted to create a space for the LGTBQ+ community.
After Spiral, a Lansing-area LGBTQ+ alternative night club closed, the owners said they knew there was no dance floor within 50 miles for the LGBTQ+ community. Thus, they decided to host monthly events.
Tips to overcome on-campus driving, busing struggles
Getting around on MSU’s campus is not always an easy feat. If it’s a crowded time between classes, a game day or cold outside, traveling from one destination to another can be a grueling task.
The struggles of moving around campus are clear when you look at the numbers. Campus is 5,200 acres, though most students and faculty use less than half that space in their daily routine. There are 60 miles of roads, 120 miles of pedestrian walkways, 20 miles of bike lanes and 26,000 parking spaces.
And each day, there are approximately 70,000 people and 30,000 vehicles trying to get from point A to point B.
For chemical engineering senior Catie Scott, the hardest part of driving on campus is finding a parking spot.
For students who don’t drive on campus, however, getting around can be trickier.
Journalism freshman Dominic Carroll primarily takes the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, buses to travel on campus. He said the bus is convenient, but often cramped. However, when Carroll has to leave campus for his internship, the bus schedule doesn’t align with his time frame, so he has a choice to make: scooter or Uber. Carroll said since he doesn’t want to ride a scooter in the winter, he is forced to take Ubers, which can be expensive.
Though students and faculty experience some inevitable struggles while commuting, there are ways to minimize these issues. Communications Manager for Michigan State University Police and Public Safety Dana Whyte recommended students reach out to their professors to let them know they will be late, especially when the weather is bad.
Whyte’s biggest advice is to plan ahead, plan alternative routes and leave early. This can mean being aware of the upcoming weather or checking which parking lots are available.
Additionally, Whyte said students can contact the MSU parking services to ask questions via the website or social media.
Based on original reporting by Vivian Barrett, Anna Ryan and Amalia Medina.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with snow showers developing in the afternoon with a high of 30 degrees and a low of 22 degrees. For the weekend, it looks like it will be higher 20’s with both Saturday and Sunday cloudy with snow showers.
CAPS receives an influx of MSU students amid ‘holiday aftermath’
As the spring semester begins, students are adjusting to the life changes and course stress of being on campus again. Unfortunately, countless factors bring distress to students during this time of year.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services, or CAPS, strives to provide students with mental health services to optimize their physical and mental well-being in light of the challenges this semester can bring. The center can be found on Michigan State University’s campus on the third floor of the Olin Health Center.
Licensed psychologist and CAPS Director Mark Patishnock said students tend to feel overwhelmed this time of year, reporting significant levels of stress, anxiety, depression and isolation. These responses were compounded by the years of the pandemic and the responsibilities students had, along with the tragedies and losses many students endured.
With an influx of students, challenges arise for CAPS. The office handles these challenges by prioritizing specific services.
CAPS holds a diverse staff, letting students select preferences for the race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and religion of their counselor to allow maximum comfort.
CAPS also provides students with resources to connect with off-campus therapeutic or psychiatric care in their area.
Students can find more information at caps.msu.edu.
What’s the strategy behind MSU’s dining hall operation?
Death, taxes, and MSU dining halls being busy at all hours — three things that are guaranteed to occur. Though the operation can get hectic, the dining experience on campus is a dependable option for students.
Meeting the demand of tens of thousands of students, staff and visitors across the university requires preparation.
The variation of food items allows the dining halls to serve base foods such as cheeseburgers or chicken patties daily, while certain meals are set to be distributed at other dining stations that change constantly.
In terms of preparation, the menus become final months in advance. Senior Chef Executive Kurt Kwiatkowski said the fall semester menus are written by the end of April or early May to be uploaded in the dining hall system before move-in. Spring semester menus are planned around the second week in August.
Kwiatkowski said guest feedback and items of certain equipment are the main factors that help decide what specific foods are served daily and what runs on the cycle.
Students agree that variation in menus is helpful for a positive dining experience.
Kwiatkowski encourages students to share feedback so MSU’s dining experience can be improved.
CTRL+A celebrates diversity, expresses APIDA experiences through dance
With stories, experiences, and expressions showcased through dance, CTRL+A strives to celebrate diversity and expresses Asian Pacific Islander Desi American experiences while advocating for the APIDA community at Michigan State University.
CTRL+A marketing chair Jeneia Dinglasan said CTRL+A assisted her in creating an expressional outlet for her identity that she previously didn’t have before coming to college.
CTRL+A holds monthly workshops open to all. Along with monthly workshops, students can catch CTRL+A performing at APASO’S Annual Cultural Vogue tomorrow. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Wharton Center.
There’s also an event to celebrate CTRL+A’s fifth anniversary.
The event will take place on April 15 at The Cadillac Room in Lansing, Michigan. The celebration will bring together past alumni, current members, and supporters all together to enjoy performances, food, and the growth of the group throughout the years.
Based on original reporting by Julius Patto and Jacob Smith.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Tonight
- Wrestling will take on Maryland at 6:30 P.M. at Jenison Field House.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies early with a few snow showers developing later in the day with a high of 31 degrees and a low of 20 degrees.
CAPS creates monthly program celebrating women, femmes of color
MSU’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services, or CAPS, created a monthly program celebrating women and femmes of color to provide space where expression is encouraged, discussed, and uplifted. This program, called Replenish, is not a source of therapy, but can serve as such through discussions, relationships and support.
Replenish has three more events this semester on Feb. 17, March 17 and April 14. Every event falls on a Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Replenish holds discussions about specific care and individual needs and other topics like mental health, relationship, beauty standards, culture and more. Psychologists Markie Silverman said meetings are flexible and participants might practice self-compassion, movement, expression through art, relationships and empowerment.
Classical cellist Alisa Weilerstein to perform at the Wharton Center
Classical cellist Alisa Weilerstein is coming to the Wharton Center on Jan. 26, with hopes that her performance will encourage students to see live music as a “shared experience.”
After relying on live streams to share musical performances since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Weilerstein said it’s “special” to return to a live audience.
Weilerstein will perform three of Jonathan Bach’s orchestral suites – what she refers to as the “Bible of cello repertoire.” Weilerstein recently recorded all six suites, which became a best-selling album.
Weilerstein says that she sees music as the highest form of communication between humans, which inspires her to come back to performing.
Wharton Center Public Relations Manager Bob Hoffman said Weilerstein’s performance offers a rare opportunity to see these suites, which hold a special place in the musical canon, performed.
Hoffman said even those who do not like classical music might have a change of heart after Weilerstein’s performance.
Weilerstein encourages students to remember there is nothing like being live in a concert hall, listening to music as it’s happening and being surrounded by others in the moment.
Information for tickets can be found on the Wharton Center website.
How to escape stress with escape rooms in the East Lansing area
Escape rooms are the perfect combination of three stress relievers: spending time with friends, participating in fun activities and solving puzzles. As such, going to an escape room with a group can help refresh the brain and calm the mind.
The East Lansing area offers three escape room attractions for students to enjoy as the spring semester picks up and homework loads get heavier.
First, Escapology, is one of the fastest-growing escape game franchises in the United States and offers more than just escape rooms. Its Lansing location opened in 2019 and includes volleyball courts, private and traditional bowling alleys, ax-throwing, an arcade and bumper cars.
Its escape rooms have a wide range of themes including murder mystery, science and military. The four rooms include Under Pressure, Budapest Express, Antidote and Cuban Crisis – each have detailed descriptions and video trailers on Escapology’s website.
Next, Challenges East Lansing Adventure features five escape rooms – Pharaoh’s Revenge, The Haunt, The Naughty List, Tin Star Saloon and Special Agent Cold War. They offer mobile escape games that can be played in-person or rented and played elsewhere.
In-person games recommend around two to 10 people per room depending on the game, and puzzles are 60 minutes long.
Finally, Breakout Escape Rooms provides its guests with a variety of unique escape game options and free photoshoots.
Rooms are organized based on difficulty and the amount of time given to solve a puzzle and the recommended group size depends on which room is chosen. There are six escape rooms to choose from: Zombie Roadhouse, Heart of a Pirate, Ringmaster’s Den, Chamber of Illusions, Heart of a Pirate Head to Head, and Ringmaster’s Den Head to Head.
Based on original reporting by Julius Patto, Jaden Beard and Ellie Young.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with snow with a high of 32 degrees and a low of 27 degrees.
Former AD: Swim and dive team was on chopping block in fall 2019
On Oct. 22, 2020, Michigan State University announced that its varsity swim and dive teams would be dissolved following that NCAA season. The release – which was jointly signed by then-President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. and then-athletic director Bill Beekman – attributed the decision to the athletics revenue crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But, according to Beekman, MSU was set to cut the team as early as fall of 2019, months before the first case of the virus was detected or MSU tickets were going unsold.
Beekman said facilities costs caused MSU to “focus on swimming and diving for potential elimination rather than other sports that may have been previously considered” and “to emphasize the point, the decision to narrow the sports under consideration was made in the fall of 2019.”
Beekman was asked to explain the facilities issue in the recently settled Title IX lawsuit against the university.
In his deposition, Beekman said the cost of repairing the outdoor 50-meter pool sometimes used by the team was the “straw that broke the camel’s back.”
A report by the Board of Trustees’ finance committee which found no “viable path” to reinstatement of swim and dive also cited facilities issues. The university was unable to provide documents or calculations supporting that conclusion.
Following the cut, a group of athletes, parents, and alumni have fought to reinstate the team through donations. They’ve raised significant funds in casual commitments from alumni and parents, but have been stonewalled by MSU’s board, administration and athletics department.
Matt Gianiodis, who coached at MSU for over 20 years, said he can’t be impartial about whether cutting swim and dive was the right choice.
MSU’s expungement fair attracts hundreds, helps individuals clear criminal records
MSU hosted its first expungement fair at the Breslin Center this past Sunday, which gave eligible individuals the opportunity to remove certain offenses from their permanent records. 100 individuals pre-registered for the event and at least 100 more walked in.
Event organizer and law student Alex Padla has been working since early October to bring this fair to the community. He said the event was “all about empowerment” – and giving individuals a second chance to pass background check.
This fair comes after Michigan passed the Clean Slate Act in 2020. The act opens up eligibility for people to wipe past criminal convictions off their record after they haven’t been involved in a crime for a certain period of time.
Ashley Bellant, who works with Safe & Just Michigan (SJM), worked the expungement fair. Most people assume that when somebody commits a crime, they’re convicted, they serve their time and then they rejoin society – but she said this is not the whole truth.
The fair saw a broad array of offenses to be removed from records, Bellant said. However, MSU College of Law’s Criminal Defense Association and the International Cannabis Bar Association teamed together for the event, so they were prepared to see individuals looking to get marijuana charges removed from their records.
Bellant said the expungement process will start as an automatic process in April. While there are no official plans to host another fair in the future, Padla said he hopes to continue planning events like this which help the community.
Woman Life Freedom event shows solidarity with Iranians through art
Over 100 members of the MSU community gathered to show solidarity with the people of Iran Friday at the Broad Art Museum. The event, called “Woman Life Freedom,” included music and performance art which expressed the sentiments of the Iranian people under the oppressive regime.
The event was organized by assistant professor of graphic design Parisa Ghaderi, who felt it was her duty to show solidarity with the people in her home country.
The art showcased at the event included traditional Iranian music played on Iranian instruments and orchestral instruments, as well as an interpretative dance. One of the musicians was associate professor of mechanical engineering Mohsen Zayernouri.
Many audience members enjoyed the selected music, including mechanical engineering PhD student Kian Kalan, an Iranian audience member. Kalan was moved by the image of fighting back against the oppressor.
This reaction is exactly what Ghaderi hoped the event would evoke. After the final performance, Ghaderi said her mission as an artist was accomplished, and she was also inspired to continue her work.
Based on original reporting by Amalia Medina, Hannah Woehrle and Alex Walters.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with a high of 35 degrees and a low of 28 degrees.
MSU gymnastics defeats No. 3 Michigan for the first time since 2007
The No. 14 Michigan State gymnastics team defeated No. 3 Michigan this past Sunday night at Jenison Field House. For the first time since 2007, the Spartans came out of their in-state rivalry meet victorious with a score of 197.200-196.975.
Michigan State started off their meet against the Wolverines on vault, and the Spartans did not disappoint. Vault turned out to be MSU’s highest-scoring rotation, with five Spartans scoring over 9.800 for a whopping total score of 49.400.
Freshman Nikki Smith kicked off her first home meet as a Spartan with a bang. Smith finished her vault with a stuck landing that made the packed house go wild. She scored a whopping 9.950 and won first place in the event.
The Wolverines made their start on the uneven parallel bars, and despite their impressive 49.125, Michigan was down to close out the first rotation.
The Spartans moved onto the uneven bars to start their second rotation.
Shortly after she started, sophomore Skyla Schulte had to drop down from the bars and restart her routine, resulting in a deduction and a 9.325 score. Despite having to restart, Schulte remained calm and collected and found a way to recover.
Going into the final rotation on the floor, the Spartans found themselves down 148.050-147.952. They needed to go big, and they absolutely did.
It was one strong performance after another for the Spartans, and Smith had the crowd going wild for her energetic floor routine. The freshman had so much height on each of her tumbling passes that it looked like she was flying. She managed to score a 9.900.
With all four rotations completed, Smith was crowned the all-around champion with a score of 39.525.
Michigan State will travel to College Park Sunday, Jan. 29 to take on Maryland at 1 p.m.
MSU installs complimentary menstrual product dispensers in over 100 buildings
Over 100 buildings on campus now have complimentary menstrual product dispensers thanks to an initiative introduced by the MSU chapter of Mission Menstruation.
Before the implementation of the new initiative, only 10 to 15 locations on campus offered students free menstruation products, Residence Education and Housing Services Associate Director for Communications Bethany Balks said. Mission Menstruation brought an official proposal to Student Life and Engagement, or SLE, and Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, or IPF, requesting dispensers be added to all women’s and all-gender restrooms in residence halls and student-facing buildings.
Balks said the initiative is about 97% complete, and is expected to be fully implemented by the end of January. Dispensers have been installed in first-floor bathrooms of all residence halls but still need to be installed in a few buildings including the Union and Olin Health Center.
SLE and IPF are also in the process of creating a map showing students where they are able to access complimentary products on campus. Currently, the SLE website has a list of where dispensers have been installed.
Balks said the initiative is important in addressing issues of health and safety for students.
Eastside Lansing Food Co-Op looks to ground itself in community
On East Kalamazoo Street sits Eastside Lansing Food Co-Op, or ELFCO, a new food cooperative dedicated to providing fresh produce to the community at a wide range of prices.
Upon entrance, customers will see the shelves lined with fruits and vegetables picked from local Michigan farms. Wood tables holding a spread of breads and bagels, made by local bakers.
A previous iteration of the store had previously been located in East Lansing. However, that store was forced to close from a lack of business in 2017.
ELFCO general manager Sally Potter said part of the store’s success is its location, as the business is positioned in a neighborhood where many can’t afford their own vehicles.
Potter said Lansing’s east side community is very diverse, which is why ELFCO aims to have a wide variety of prices.
ELFCO produce manager Milton Shoup said the store tries to provide most of its produce from Michigan farmers, with the only setback being the seasonality of certain crops.
Shoup said the store’s year-round operation is a reason why local farmers are willing to do business with them.
When it comes to deciding prices, Shoup said the process is a “partnership” between
ELFCO and the community. He said the store tries to keep the prices customers pay around the same price that the store buys it from farmers.
Shoup’s goals for the store include making sure it is ground within the community of not just Lansing’s east side, but Greater Lansing.
Based on original reporting by Bella Johnson, Vivian Barrett and Hannah Holycross.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies early then partly cloudy in the afternoon with a high of 34 degrees and a low of 28 degrees.
Wells Hall Starbucks to move to MSU Library
There are not many commodities that college students enjoy more than coffee.
MSU supplies its students with multiple branded restaurants across campus, including two Starbucks locations. Each coffee shop has snaking lines at almost all hours of operation, making it seemingly impossible to ever receive express service.
Although students like the business, the jam-packed pathways at the Wells Hall location make it difficult to navigate to and from class, with many rooms exceeding capacities of over five hundred people. The decided solution for this issue is to move the location to the MSU Library.
The idea is to close the Wells Hall Starbucks and the Sparty’s in the library and start the renovation. The Starbucks will hopefully be opened right before next fall semester.
Survey shows decrease in undergraduate sexual harassment, assault at MSU
Results from the second-ever Know More Survey show a decline in rates of sexual harassment, sexual assault, workplace incivility and/or other harm experienced by members of the campus community since 2019.
The survey was introduced in 2019 as a way to assess perceptions, policies and culture surrounding relationship violence and sexual misconduct, or RVSM, on campus. The second iteration of the survey was sent to all undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, faculty and staff in the spring of 2022.
More than 11,500 surveys were completed and analyzed. In an email releasing the survey results to the MSU community, interim president Teresa Woodruff thanked Spartans for “working together to foster an environment that is more respectful to each other and is supportive of survivors.”
Data is categorized into three gender identity groups based on self-reported identities: cisgender woman, cisgender man, and transgender and/or nonbinary. Transgender and nonbinary respondents were grouped together “in an effort to create groups with enough respondents to enable analysis,” the report said.
Sexual harassment was the most prevalent form of victimization experienced by students across all gender groups and was less common for graduate and professional students, though it was still the highest-reported form of victimization.
The survey also asked all students, faculty and staff about their perceptions of campus culture, both related to sexual misconduct and other aspects.
Survey data shows that cisgender men undergraduates, faculty and staff indicated the most positive perceptions across all climate scales, while cisgender women students and transgender/nonbinary students gave the most negative perceptions.
Comparisons to the 2019 results are “somewhat imperfect,” due to the fact that gender identity information was collected differently in 2022.
More information on the results of the survey can be found on The State News website.
FINAL: Second half collapse dooms Michigan State in 82-69 loss to Indiana
Despite a hot start, a second half collapse doomed Michigan State in a 82-69 road loss to Indiana.
Graduate student forward Joey Hauser scored a team-high 22 points for the Spartans, also earning six rebounds and an assist.
Glancing at the stat sheet, it seemed as though things weren’t quite as imbalanced as the score indicated. MSU shot 43% from the field, Indiana shot 47%. MSU had 30 rebounds, Indiana had 32. MSU had 10 turnovers, Indiana had nine.
However, the key difference was three-point shooting percentage. Indiana killed Michigan State from deep. The Hoosiers made nine threes, shooting 60% from beyond the arch by the end of the game.
Slow starts have plagued the Spartans of late. However, MSU finally kicked things off with confidence, jumping to as much as a nine-point lead and controlling things for a good chunk of the half. The Spartans were solid on both sides of the court, locking down on defense and churning out quality offensive possessions.
However, around the halfway point of the first, Indiana’s offense caught fire. After his cold start, IU’s senior forward Jackson-Davis came in with 13 points to end the half, and the IU guards started draining threes.
Besides a couple of nice baskets from senior guard Tyson Walker, MSU’s offense started to stall out and Indiana’s stars finally started showing up, taking firm control of the game.
Michigan State’s offense found its legs again in the second half. Walker and sophomore guard Jaden Akins combined for a quick nine points and MSU knotted things up at 42. Akins was one of the few Spartans that actually found consistent buckets throughout the second half, finishing with 12 points and a rebound.
Indiana eventually built a lead to double-digits and never looked back. After taking a brief 51-49 lead in the second, MSU was outscored 31-18 to end the game. Every Michigan State bucket was answered by Indiana.
The Spartans will look to bounce back from the loss when they return home Thursday to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Breslin Center.
Based on original reporting by Jacob Smith, Vivian Barrett and Alex Faber.
Happy Friday! Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with some possible flurries or snow showers with a high of 34 degrees and a low of 27 degrees. For the weekend, it looks like it will be lower 30’s and cloudy with occasional snow showers on Sunday.
East Lansing City Council terminates City Manager and votes Noel Garcia to fill vacancy
The East Lansing City Council moved to terminate City Manager George Lahanas’ employment contract with the city and voted former Lansing police Lt. Noel Garcia Jr. to fill in the council’s vacancy during their meeting Tuesday.
Lahanas, who has been city manager for almost 11 years, will no longer serve in the position following a separation agreement voted on by the board and signed by Lahanas himself.
When discussing the agreement, East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon said there was nothing disparaging in Lahanas’ relationship with the council and the decision was based on the direction of things and what the council wants to see done. He said the agreement was made “out of respect.”
In the vote to fill the council’s vacancy, councilmembers initially tied in-favor of candidates Daniel Bollman and Garcia 2-to-2. Following deliberation, the board voted to elect Garcia in a 4-0 vote.
Councilmember Dana Watson said Garcia was her top choice for the position because of his work with the Independent Police Oversight Commission and the comfort his work provided when it came to the council’s communication with the East Lansing Police Department.
Bacon said his top choice was Garcia because of his focus on public safety.
The council will meet again on Jan. 24 at the Hannah Community Center.
ASMSU hopes to keep momentum in spring semester
Although spring semester can be seen as the start of the end for the academic year, ASMSU is ready to kick things into action and continue the momentum of its accomplishments from fall semester.
ASMSU defines itself as the undergraduate student government. Its main goal is to help represent students and advocate for issues as well as try and improve student life at Michigan State.
Its members come from different backgrounds and represent a part of the student body in some way. This has allowed for many different bills ranging from donor accountability to issues in certain sports programs.
ASMSU isn’t just about passing bills, though. ASMSU Chief of Staff Jack Harrison said this week’s service events are exciting opportunities.
He said he has high hopes based on the success of the fall semester. Some bills he’d like to see brought up are parking accessibility and lighting on crosswalks.
Over 200 student organizations showcase their passions at 2023 Springticipation
Over 200 registered student organizations, or RSOs, gathered in Michigan State University’s STEM building Tuesday for Springticipation. The event, held each semester, gives students an opportunity to engage with other students with similar hobbies or goals.
MSU Interim President Teresa Woodruff attended the event, where she talked and took pictures with different organizations. Woodruff said she was excited to be surrounded by so many students engaging.
Royal Encounters, one of MSU’s volunteer-based organizations, showed up to attract more members. Members dressed up as superheroes and princesses to attend events for sick, disabled or underprivileged children.
Here a few of the clubs available to students here at MSU…
First, The Outdoors Club is dedicated to exploring the nature. The club takes members on group outings and retreats, which english education junior Madelyn Turrill said allows people to step outside of their comfort zones.
Next, students looking to improve their artistic and writing skills might be interested in joining the Graphic Novels Club, zoology junior Alli Gregory said.
Finally, another option available open to students of all experience levels, Salsa Club is centered around learning the Latin dance.
“We have a lot of people come in from all different ages, all different areas of life,” Spanish senior Kaitlyn Wehner said. “You can not know how to dance at all and they teach you from the ground up,” Wehner said.
Based on original reporting by Hannah Holycross, Maddie Dallas and Jaden Beard.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Tomorrow
- Men’s Tennis will go up against Brown at 12 P.M. and Bellarmine at 4 P.M. at the MSU Tennis Indoor Facility.
Sunday
- Women’s Basketball will go up against Rutgers at 3 P.M. at the Breslin Center.
- The Gymnastics team will face No. 3 Michigan at 7 P.M. at Jenison Field House.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with periods of rain with a high of 47 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.
MSU Jazz Orchestra performs annual MLK concert, commemorating Dr. King’s Legacy
The Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra II performed its annual Martin Luther King Jr. concert at the Fairchild Theatre on Sunday. The concert, apart of MSU’s 43rd annual MLK celebration, featured music from the orchestra along with guest musicians and vocalists to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
Special guest conductor Kristopher Johnson has been involved in the making of the annual MLK concerts since 2002, when he was a sophomore at MSU.
The theme of the concert was ‘Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest,’ a concept that was delivered by the musicians and vocalists through music and speech.
Jazz vocalist Tiffany Gridiron performed ‘If I Can Help Somebody’ by Alma Bazel Androzzo, a song she says MLK identified as one of his favorites and how he wanted his legacy to be remembered.
Jazz vocalist Lulu Fall performed ‘No One Even Cares,’ a song that she wrote with Johnson. Fall describes it as a glimpse into her experiences as a Black woman.
Fall said that although hearing about these hard subjects through music may be difficult for the audience, she hopes that the performance will help people understand the struggles discussed in the music.
Johnson, an alumni of MSU’s Jazz program, said his connection to the program and relationship with the other performers, particularly his former mentee Director Anthony Stanco, makes this concert a special experience for him.
‘The legislative arm of Michigan State University’: Dennis Denno begins trustee term
Coming in with 17 years of experience as a senior staffer in the Michigan legislature, trustee Dennis Denno began his eight-year term in, what he called, the “legislative arm of Michigan State University” on Jan. 1, 2023.
Denno said the Board of Trustees is the only position he has ever wanted to run for. With experience in politics, communications, polling and research, he said his diverse set of skills will allow him to ask the right questions as a trustee.
One goal Denno campaigned on was raising the minimum wage for all MSU employees to $15 an hour. He said this is still one of his top commitments to bring before the board. He also hopes to use his connections with the state legislature to secure state funding for the university.
The new board is set to begin the search for MSU’s next permanent president this spring, a responsibility Denno said he is optimistic about.
Denno graduated from MSU in 1992 from James Madison College. He was active in the Arab Student Organization and met his wife in a class they took together. He said he was drawn to MSU for its diversity of programs.
Beyond a degree, Denno said being a Spartan has taught him about leadership and inspired him to give back to the community.
A book for every month: Spartan book recommendations for 2023
Looking for some good books to add to your 2023 reading list? MSU Spartans have you covered. Students and staff recommended a variety of books for reading outside of your comfort zone, self-improvement, learning, and contributing to a New Year’s goal.
Here are a few books to keep you busy this year:
“The Ugly American” by Eugene Burdick. Recommended by history senior Anthony Barash, “The Ugly American” was first published in 1958 and highlights the arrogance of American politicians and leaders during the Cold War.
“Verity” by Colleen Hoover. Romance novel “Verity” follows a struggling writer, Lowen Ashleigh, who is finishing the work of bestselling author Verity Crawford. Tension emerges after Lowen discovers an unfinished autobiography filled with terrifying submissions, including Verity’s description of what really happened the day her daughter died.
“Out of My Mind” by Sharon M. Draper. “Out of My Mind” is narrated by its protagonist, Melody, who has cerebral palsy and refuses to let that define her. She has a photographic memory and is smarter than many of her classmates who dismiss her as disabled.
“Educated” by Tara Westover. Westover illustrates her determination to immerse herself in diversity after a childhood spent isolated from the world in her memoir, “Educated.” Born to survivalists, Westover had to teach herself class material to be admitted into Brigham Young University. She struggles to forge her own path as she is caught between ending a long-loyal relationship with her family and going into the world to achieve her dreams.
To keep you busy reading all year long, more book recommendations can be found on The State News website.
Based on original reporting by Jaden Beard, Vivian Barrett and Ellie Young.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with rain showers in the evening with a high of 39 degrees and a low of 34 degrees.
MLK Commemorative March sparks conversations on history and inclusion
The words of Martin Luther King Jr. carried through Beaumont Tower with the chanting of “How Long? Not long,” the speech that King gave after the Selma march to tell Black people all throughout America that they would not suffer much longer in their fight for civil rights.
Professor Robert L. Green, former dean of the College of Urban Development at Michigan State University and friend of the late King said that all those years ago when he made his famous “I Have A Dream” speech that King was cashing a blank check from the government that their community had never been able to redeem. He continued to say that while the students and faculty are still marching to demonstrate “their shameful condition,” they are also there to celebrate King’s dream coming to fruition.
Interim President Teresa Woodruff attended the march and told the crowd her own story of looking up at the tower every morning and being transported back 168 years ago to the founding of the university. When she looks at Beaumont, Woodruff said remembers what she thinks is the university’s founding purpose: to open the door of education to the broadest and most diverse group of students across Michigan.
Broadcast journalism senior Angela Solomon, who is serving as Miss Black in the MSU Alphas pageant, spoke to the importance of the march as a way for marginalized students to call attention to King and his vision, but also to the addition of MSU’s multicultural center.
Interdisciplinary humanities and educational studies senior Clayton Griffith said that MLK Day would ideally be a day of remembrance to not only King, but the history of the work of him and many others in the Civil Rights movement.
Griffith said that this work has led to the modern ideology of Black students as “living with purpose, promise, and perseverance” as well as being conscious of the intentionality that continuing his legacy gives to the black community of MSU.
Drag queens on the importance of sharing their art with East Lansing
Rodger Giessman was presented with a challenge: help execute a drag show in just 10 days.
He then called drag queen Caj Monet and asked her to perform at what would soon be The Diva’s Ball. Monet said she would’ve come even if she had been asked three days before.
The Diva’s Ball was held at the Hannah Community center on January 13, 2023.
The coordinators of The Diva’s Ball wanted to bring drag shows back to East Lansing and knew Giessman would be able to find the right entertainers for the show.
“I said, ‘Absolutely. We can definitely put a show together, it’s going to be a lot of work, but let’s do it,'” Giessman said.
Giessman, also known as DJ LipGloss, has been working with drag queens for nearly 20 years. He started his career as a nightclub DJ, then became a promoter and show director. He now travels the country helping queens get ready for national pageants.
Drag queens performing at The Diva’s Ball attested that the show was made possible because of the support Giessman has given to queens throughout the years.
Sapphire Shade, who also performed in the show, said she was happy to be able to be back performing in Lansing after not having as many opportunities to do so since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Giessman will be working with Float Nation Live to help bring more events like The Diva’s Ball to Lansing. He is hoping to turn it into a monthly event where people can gather and enjoy the art of drag. While Giessman recognizes that there has always been drag events in the Lansing community, he wants to bring awareness to more people.
Kimchi Box: East Lansing’s first fast Casual Korean restaurant
Min Gyu Kim, a Michigan State University alumnus, noticed the absence of Asian food and took it upon himself to create his own fast, casual Korean restaurant: Kimchi Box. After opening six successful locations, Kim decided to go back to his MSU roots and open another on East Lansing’s Grand River.
After graduating in 2017 with a degree in Supply Chain Management, Kim took up consulting in Chicago, which he said gave him more insight into the world of business. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Kim quit his job and moved back to Michigan with the idea to begin his own business venture.
While other restaurants and businesses in East Lansing were closing, Kim saw an opportunity to take over one of the absent leases with Korean fast and casual on his mind.
For much of his life, Kim grew up working in restaurants beside his mother, who he deems a very good cook. When deciding to open his own restaurant, he collaborated with his mom and aunts, utilizing their knowledge of traditional Korean cuisine and taking a fast, casual spin on it.
Kimchi Box’s Korean fusion creates a more accessible menu for its mainstream audience, offering chicken sandwiches, tacos, bento bowls and more.
Kimchi Box manager Marino Allen described their fan favorite popcorn chicken saying half is coated in their Queen Sassy sauce, a version of sweet and spicy sauce, while the other half is coated in soy garlic sauce. Topped with green onions and sesame, Allen says the chicken is the perfect dish to go with a side of their Kimchi fries.
Once settled in East Lansing, Kim hopes to expand even further.
“I would like to do Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids. Maybe out of the state,” Kim said when expanding on his ambitions.
Based on original reporting by Liz Nass, Hannah Woehrle and Anna Ryan.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with a few showers later in the day with a high of 45 degrees and a low of 35 degrees.
East Lansing City Council to select new council member Tuesday Jan. 17
Applicant interviews to fill a vacancy on the East Lansing City Council, following the resignation of former Councilmember Lisa Babcock, were conducted at a special council meeting, this past Saturday morning.
Mayor Ron Bacon, Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg and Councilmembers Dana Watson and George Brookover took part in interviewing all five candidates: Nichole Biber, Abigail Tykocki, Noel Garcia, Mikey Manuel and Daniel Bollman.
Biber is a Michigan State University alum and librarian at Pinecrest Elementary School and said she has a passion for environmental sustainability.
If elected to the council, she said she would like to see East Lansing reap the benefits of comprehensive climate action. Biber also cited affordable housing, crime and safety and water infrastructure as other pressing issues facing the city that should be addressed.
Tykocki is an MSU alum holding degrees in theater and arts, entertainment and media management, and is currently employed at the university where she works in the Arts, Cultural Management and Museum Studies program.
Tykocki said she is most concerned about city finances, inflation and bigotry within the community.
Garcia, holding a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice from MSU, said if elected to City Council, he would hope to continue his work with the Independent Police Oversight Commission. Garcia said his main concerns are diversity and inclusion within the community, police and community relations and economic development.
Manuel is serving his second term with the East Lansing Parks and Recreation Committee and also volunteers with the East Lansing Environmental Stewardship program.
Manuel said the most pressing issues the city is facing are housing and environmental challenges, specifically the flooding seen in the community.
Bollman, an architect and University of Michigan alum, has participated in several planning and zoning related advisory boards and was a member of the Nonconforming Use Committee.
Bollman said affordable and inclusive housing is one of the biggest issues facing East Lansing.
The East Lansing City Council will reconvene today at the Hannah Community Center to decide which of the five candidates will serve on the council.
FINAL: Michigan State men’s basketball falls short of comeback, suffers one point loss to No. 3 Purdue
After dropping the game to Illinois 75-66 on the road this past Friday night, Michigan State men’s basketball returned to the Breslin Center yesterday afternoon for their most grueling conference game yet.
The green and white remained neck and neck with the Boilermakers throughout the game, ultimately dropping the game to Purdue 64-63 in the final seconds.
Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo said that senior forward Malik Hall would be out against Purdue during his pregame radio show, and will likely sit out for a while after tweaking his previously injured ankle against Illinois.
Because of Hall’s versatility, it was clear that his absence would be damaging to the lineup and MSU’s schedule as Big Ten play begins to heat up.
Turnovers remained an obstacle for the green and white. MSU picked up eight by the end of the first compared to the Boilermakers’ five. It was expected that turnovers would be a concern against No. 3 Purdue, but eight was uncharacteristic.
MSU’s offense came alive in the final few minutes before halftime, with buckets from junior guard A.J. Hoggard, senior guard Tyson Walker, and freshman center Carson Cooper. Walker drilled a three with 8.5 seconds left on the clock, lighting a fire under him and shortening the Boilermakers’ lead to two.
After a feeble offensive performance a majority of the first half, MSU brought the momentum from halftime with them. They stole back the lead when Hoggard sank three just under two minutes into the second half.
In the final four minutes, Walker heated up, setting a season-high after hitting back-to-back three’s.
The Boilermakers followed suit, putting up five points to cut the Spartan lead to two. The next few minutes remained a back and forth affair, with Walker leading the charge.
After continuous timeouts from both the Spartans and Boilermakers, Walker was unable to hit the final shot, and Michigan State fell to Purdue 64-63.
Michigan State will return to their home floor on Thursday night to host Rutgers. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
Lansing Shuffle to bring food, music and games to Lansing’s riverfront
Shuffleboard is moving from your grandparent’s backyard to the heart of downtown Lansing.
Lansing Shuffleboard and Social Club will open its doors on Jan. 25th. The building that formerly houses Lansing City Market has been transformed into a venue that will comprise of seven restaurants, five shuffleboard courts, two bars, a lounge and a riverfront patio.
Development Consultant Kristie Ducorouble said Lansing Shuffle aims to bring the community together through food, music, drinks and entertainment – the same concept as its sister company, The Detroit Shipping Company, located in Detroit.
Lansing Shuffle hopes to host shuffleboard leagues that will have options to meet both weekly and monthly, in addition to hosting an open-play for those who want to take a more casual approach to the game.
The private lounge space inside can be rented out to host a variety of events, from business meetings to bridal parties.
Though the venue is expected to house seven different restaurants, four have been confirmed for opening day. Brown Dogs, which features American Cuisine, Osteria Vegana which will serve vegan Italian food, Yeti Kitchen, which has Himalayan street food and Irie Smoke Stack, a Caribbean BBQ restaurant will be open for business.
Lansing Shuffle is currently looking for restaurants to fill their last vacancies, but Ducorouble has a vision of Mexican cuisine and a healthy food option, which would be ideally sourced locally.
The grand opening of Lansing Shuffle will be hosted on Jan. 25., featuring food, drinks and a five-piece band for live entertainment.
Based on original reporting by Hannah Holycross, Melanie Soverinsky and Jaden Beard.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with a high of 30 degrees and a low of 20 degrees. For the weekend, it looks like it will be mid to high 30’s with with mixes of clouds and sun.
Final: Michigan State women’s basketball falls to Wisconsin 84-80 in overtime
After suffering a 71-64 defeat to the Maryland Terrapins last Saturday afternoon, the Spartans returned to the Breslin Center on Wednesday night eager to get another conference win under their belt.
Despite late comeback efforts from the green and white, MSU failed to bounce back, falling to the Badgers 84-80.
MSU had a sloppy start, collecting four turnovers by the end of the first quarter. The green and white had trouble getting on the board. It wasn’t until three minutes into the game when sophomore forward Isaline Alexander notched the first basket for the Spartans.
Redshirt junior guard Julia Ayrault kept the Spartans on track with a second-chance layup followed by a shot from behind the arc by sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann.
Wisconsin crept ahead in the second quarter, going 7-15 from the field compared to MSU going 5-13. Despite efforts to tie it up late in the second quarter, MSU trailed the Badgers at halftime, 32-25.
The Spartans got off to a rocky start after the half as they allowed their opponent to take an 11-point lead midway through the quarter.
The Spartans returned for their final quarter hungry for a win. Senior guard Moira Joiner continued to shine on the floor, collecting 20 game points and matching her career high.
Both teams managed to pick up another basket, sending the game into overtime. With five seconds on the clock, MSU needed a three to send the game into double overtime.
Despite strong offensive efforts in the final minute, MSU was unable to capitalize suffering another Big Ten loss.
MSU will head to Ann Arbor Saturday to face the Wolverines in the first part of their home-and-home series.
Water conservation notice in effect for East Lansing and Meridian Township
East Lansing and Meridian Township water system customers are under a conserve water notice.
A main transmission water line at the East Lansing – Meridian Water Sewer Authority, or ELMWSA, was damaged on Tuesday, which prevents the authority from treating water. The damage was reportedly caused by an accidental construction mishap during a project meant to upgrade and improve the water plant, according to ELMWSA Manager Joel Martinez. The construction that caused the damage is being done by the Department of Public Works as well as contractors.
ELMWSA is hoping the restriction on water consumption will only last 24-48 hours and is asking customers to refrain from all high uses of water such as showers, baths, laundry and dishes until further notice.
Currently, safe drinking water is being supplied by the Lansing Board of Water and Light, or BWL. The water source has been transferred to BWL’s infrastructure. Customers are still being asked to conserve water despite the water coming out of their tap that is considered safe due to the fact that BWL is absorbing the water needs of another municipality.
The college student’s guide to navigating conflict resolution
When college students leave the comfort of home for the first time, they subsequently face an unexpected struggle: independently dealing with conflict.
Conflict in college can present itself in many forms. It might look like a roommate that struggles with privacy, lab partners that fail to do their fair share of the assignment or even a professor that gives you a difficult time. Michigan State University has resources available to help students solve these problems.
Rick Shafer of MSU’s Office for Student Support and Accountability said a common struggle with conflict is the misconception that it is an inherently negative concept.
For students looking to initiate a conversation, Shafer said to revolve the conversation around your feelings rather than using accusatory language. A way to do this is using “I” statements in place of “you” statements.
Shafer also advises people to “listen through” anger.
He said resolving conflicts properly can actually be what makes a bond stronger.
For more details and resources, students can visit the Office of Student Support and Accountability’s webpage.
Based on original reporting by Melanie Soverinsky, Maggie George and Jaden Beard.
To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend…
Tonight
- Wrestling will go up against Michigan at 6:30 P.M. at Jenison Field House.
- Hockey will play Penn State at 7 P.M. at Munn Ice Arena.
Tomorrow
- Hockey will play Penn State at 7 P.M. at Munn Ice Arena.
Monday
- Men’s Basketball will go up against Purdue at 2:30 P.M. at the Breslin Center.
For our last announcement, there will not be an episode airing this upcoming Monday in respect to Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies early followed by a mixture of light rain and snow in the afternoon with a high of 40 degrees and a low of 27 degrees.
East Lansing City Council passes resolution designating city to be a “sanctuary city”
The East Lansing City Council passed a motion declaring the city a “sanctuary city” in a 3-1 vote on Tuesday, Jan. 10. The vote followed a delay last month, after requests were made by the council to the city’s legal team on effects the status could have and how the status would differ from East Lansing’s current “safe haven” status passed in 2017.
The city’s Human Rights Commission, later joined by the University Student Commission, passed a resolution last month asking the council to designate East Lansing as a sanctuary city. The designation would mean city officials and law enforcement would not cooperate with federal agents to enforce immigration laws.
Human Rights Commission Chairperson Liz Miller said that while she understands the term “sanctuary city” is not legally binding, the classification offers a structure that allows the city to exercise restraint when federal authorities claim jurisdiction over immigration laws.
Councilmember George Brookover voted no on the resolution, while Councilmember Dana Watson, Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg and Mayor Ron Bacon voted in favor of the resolution.
During the public comment section of the meeting, one community member, who did not provide their full name, said the establishment of East Lansing as a sanctuary city is something the community has been fighting in favor of for years. They said that the small change in wording could have a profound impact on someone’s life.
Car accident stops traffic on Grand River Avenue
A collision resulted in a brief closure of lanes on Grand River Avenue on Tuesday night.
The accident took place in front of Pincanna on East Grand River Avenue.
Three cars were involved in the crash, but the East Lansing Police Department could not confirm the cause of the accident. Sgt. Travis Bove confirmed that both East Lansing Police Department and Fire Department responded.
“Fire was on the scene because there was a gas leak in the road,” Bove said.
Bove said that none of the drivers involved in the accident were transported to local hospitals. Eastbound lanes on the street were closed while firefighters cleared the scene of debris.
Final: Michigan State outlasts No.18 Wisconsin, wins seventh straight game
Michigan State ultimately outlasted No. 18 Wisconsin in the final minutes for a 69-65 win in Madison.
Tied at 61 with just a couple minutes left in the game, junior guard A.J. Hoggard couldn’t miss. The Spartans’ starting point guard scored six of MSU’s final eight points to ice the game for the visitors.
The Spartan starters carried the offensive load throughout the evening, led by graduate senior forward Joey Hauser. The bench was almost invisible for Michigan State, scoring just eight points on the evening.
Turnovers were a major source of pain for the Spartans. By the end of the night, Wisconsin scored 27 points off of Michigan State’s 14 turnovers.
Unsurprisingly, MSU’s offense was completely carried by the starters in the first half. Through the first 20 minutes, the bench scored just two points – and those came courtesy of former starter, senior forward Malik Hall.
After a slow, plotting game against Michigan, the Spartans played with all sorts of pace in the opening minutes against the Badgers. Even when the shots weren’t falling, MSU was moving quickly up and down the court. That pace initially favored the visitors, as the Spartans held onto a lead for the first 13 minutes.
With the game knotted at 61, Hoggard took over the game. He scored MSU’s final six points, driving to the basket twice and tacking on a pair of free throws to seal the victory for Michigan State.
MSU is heading right back to the road tomorrow to take on another conference opponent at Illinois.
Based on original reporting by Thomas Cobb, Lily Guiney and Alex Faber.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with a high of 45 degrees and a low of 38 degrees.
New Ingham County prosecutor reverses felony firearm policy
Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane announced Monday morning his office will enforce Michigan’s felony firearm law for any person who commits a felony while using or possessing a firearm to commit a crime.
Dewane is about a week and a half into his tenure as the county prosecutor, having taken office at the start of the new year. He was chosen to succeed Carol Siemon, who resigned halfway into her four-year term.
This policy is a reversal of what Siemon’s office announced in 2021. When Siemon led the office, the charge was limited to individuals who used a firearm during a crime. Individuals who had a firearm but did not use them while committing a different crime would not be charged with a felony firearm.
In a statement about the decision, Dewane said his first priority is to address what he called a “dramatic rise in serious, violent and gun-related crimes” in the area.
Dewane also announced it will charge individuals who are repeat felony offenders under Michigan’s Habitual Offender law.
Seniors celebrate at fall commencement ceremony
Hundreds of MSU graduates received their Bachelor’s degrees on Dec. 17, 2022 in two ceremonies held at the Jack Breslin center.
The graduates, who were MSU seniors just moments before, gathered with friends, family, faculty and administration to celebrate. Each ceremony honored graduates from half of the university’s colleges, the first at 10 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.
At the earlier ceremony, graduates heard remarks from Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff and Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko with music from the MSU Jazz Orchestra.
They then heard from the honorary doctorate in humanities degree recipient, Okhee Lee-Salwen, an MSU graduate and scholar at New York University. Lee-Salwen left graduates with four lessons from her own life experience: do it — do not leave yourself wondering, what if–take care of yourself, put in the work, and make your mark on the world.
Attendees also heard from the senior class speaker, accounting graduate Darryl Ervin. He told fellow students about his first visit to campus and how his decision to attend MSU changed his life. Ervin shared his own struggles as a first-generation college student and father while attending MSU. He said these challenges helped him build character, gave him purpose and shaped him into the person he is today.
Ervin also cited the slogan, “Spartans Will,” which he said he did not fully understand when he first came to MSU. However, Ervin said, he soon came to learn that “will” was both an external action and an internal conviction.
Intimidated by the gym? IM regulars share encouragement for newcomers
At the beginning of every year, a wave of new faces appears at the gym. Of all goals, “to exercise more” is the most popular New Year’s resolution this year.
Although some are brave enough to grab a pair of dumbbells or hop onto a machine and figure things out on their own, the stigma of the gym environments hangs over many newcomers’ heads as they begin their fitness journey.
MSU provides its students with several exercise facilities, including IMs West, East and Circle. MSU’s gyms are often busy, making it a little more intimidating for those unfamiliar. However, regular gym-goers testify that the environment is actually much more supportive and welcoming than it may seem.
IM frequenters say that many experienced students are eager to help with spotting, correcting form or understanding exercises.
Computer science sophomore Cole Current has had someone he didn’t know step in to help him with his squatting form.
“My form was really bad, I had no idea what I was doing,” Current said. “He was really supportive in helping me correct that … He was like, ‘I want you to do better, I don’t want you to hurt yourself.'”
While the gym can be nerve-wracking at first, IM-West regulars attest that it’s a great place to work toward New Year’s goals and become part of a new community.
Current said, “It’s just a good environment. The people, they care.”
Based on original reporting by Wajeeha Kamal, Amalia Medina and Ellie Young.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with showers of rain and wet snow in the morning with a high of 38 degrees and a low of 34 degrees.
Meet MSU’s newest trustee Sandy Pierce
Following the resignation of former Michigan State University Trustee Pat O’Keefe, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer selected Huntington Bank’s executive vice president Sandy Pierce to serve the remainder of his eight-year term.
Detroit Economic Club CEO Steve Grigorian, who recently appointed Pierce as president of the club’s board, said her ability to listen has made her an effective steward of his organization.
While Pierce’s experience with education is limited – she served on a Detroit Public Schools committee to oversee the district’s $500 million facilities program where her experience as a Michigan executive and corporate board member is vast.
Before her time at Huntington, Pierce worked as the Chairman and CEO of FirstMerit Michigan, CEO and president of Charter One Michigan and a Midwest regional executive of JPMorgan Chase. She also sat on the board of many other organizations.
As for her personal politics, Pierce said she doesn’t identify with either major political party.
Pierce’s term will expire in January 2029, but she doesn’t see her time with the board ending there.
“It is a great institution,” Pierce said. “And I’m really looking forward to the next six years, and then hopefully after that as an elected official.”
Lansing business, The Record Lounge, is the only female-owned record store in Michigan
Lansing-born owner of The Record Lounge, Heather Frarey, started her business with a partner during the 2008 recession. Against all odds of the national financial crisis, Frarey became the only female record store owner in Michigan. Her partner later left the business, and though a few women in Michigan own record stores with their husbands, Frarey is the only woman doing it all on her own.
Frarey does have the support of a close-knit staff and a loyal customer base. Employee Annie Dillard spoke about the shop, its customer base and the culture of The Record Lounge, while Frarey spoke of her business’ history and goals for the future.
A video news story and specific interviews from Frarey and Dillard can be found on the Impact WDBM website.
Two Okemos teachers helped fellow residents escape Knob Hill Apartments fire
On the morning of Dec. 21 of 2022, Okemos High School teachers and roommates Trisha Funk and Olivia Becker had just started watching “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” They were sitting on the couch and drinking a cup of coffee when they heard what sounded like a gunshot.
They looked out their window to see a police car driving by, assuming it was following the direction of the supposed gunshot. They quickly realized it wasn’t a gunshot they heard, but the sound of breaking glass. The apartment building attached to theirs was on fire.
Still in their pajamas, Funk and Becker put on their boots and coats and grabbed their purses, keys, wallets and dog.
While the building next door became engulfed in flames, the hallway of their third-floor apartment building was quiet. They said there was no noise of other residents escaping the building and no fire alarms to alert people.
Funk and Becker woke up residents who were sleeping, helped an older resident grab needed medication and even carried pets outside to safety.
After about ten minutes, Funk, Becker and the rest of the residents from their building had made it outside to watch the firefighters connect their hoses, begin putting out the fire and rescue people from the other building.
Funk said that while she and Becker have a huge community of supporters to help them through this time, they want to make sure that the other people who lost everything also feel supported.
Becker said she has learned not to take anything for granted – anything can happen without a moment’s notice.
Based 0n original reporting by Alex Walters, Taylor Truszowski, Brendan Schabath and Hannah Woehrle.
Welcome back from winter break for the first episode of the spring semester! Today’s weather forecast is predicting sun and a few passing clouds with a high of 40 degrees and a low of 29 degrees.
MSU submits Title IX plan, contends it is still in compliance
MSU submitted its Title IX plan in a legal battle with members of the women’s swim team. A judge ruled in August that MSU is out of compliance and ordered the university to submit a plan outlining how the university regain compliance. MSU’s plan contends it is still in compliance, and that if it isn’t, the issue would not be fixed with a swim and dive team.
This lawsuit came following MSU’s decision to cut the swim and dive team. A group of swimmers argue that by cutting a sport with many roster spots for women, the university has changed the gender-ratio. Their hope is that MSU will reinstate the women’s swim and dive team to fill the alleged participation gap.
In the plan, MSU contends it already on track to be compliant without any changes, as current enrollment and athletic-participation figures suggest the university will end the year with nine fewer female athletes than males.
It goes on to suggest if that gap widens in the future, MSU will close it without adding or cutting entire teams. Instead, the university plans to close it through attrition, which would see spots left by transfers or graduates unfilled so as not to cut athletic opportunities during anyone’s time at MSU.
Even if MSU is somehow made to fill that nine-athlete gap, its compliance plan suggests it wouldn’t do so by reinstating the team. The plan points out the average “viable” NCAA women’s swim and dive team has 34.6 members, which would leave the gender-ratio more unbalanced than it currently is.
According to a deposition of former MSU Athletic Director Bill Beekman, the conversation surrounding cutting the swim and dive team began as early as 2018. Beekman said he began meeting with then-president John Engler over concerns that the department couldn’t be successful with 25 sports, these discussions continued beyond Engler’s resignation and into the tenure of former President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. They looked at cutting track and field or tennis, but ultimately, facilitates costs made swim and dive their choice.
He says that not having a 50-meter pool would be detrimental to MSU’s recruitment. Because, while NCAA swimmers compete in 25-yard pools like the one in IM West, Olympic swimmers train and compete in 50-meter pools. Beekman says not having an Olympic pool at MSU, or even in the greater Lansing area, would deter talented recruits, many of whom hope to compete at the Olympic level and need to train for those trials.
MSU’s Hidden Lake Gardens hopes to be found with new canopy walk
Hidden Lake Gardens, a 55-acre nature preserve owned and operated by Michigan State University, has long been a hidden gem. However, members and staff hope their newest addition, opening this April, will make it a true destination.
Since Oct. 2017, they have been designing, funding, and building a suspension bridge hanging off of a 70-foot central tower. The bridge, an idea sparked by a frequent hiker, runs over a valley, giving visitors an up-close view of the trees without the climb.
The bridge sits deep in the property, about a mile’s hike from the visitors’ center. Designers hope this secluded location will create a more tranquil setting and showcase the various hiking trails on the journey out.
On Dec. 12, an inspector approved the addition for visitors, officially concluding eight months of active construction.
Hidden Lake Horticulture Gardener Jon Genereaux said the beauty of the canopy walk is that it will let guests experience nature in a way they couldn’t with the currently available trails and drives. The goal is to celebrate nature, not push it to the side with something that attempts to excite visitors.
The official opening of the bridge is now set for April. Until then, the hiking trails, scenic drives, visitors center and conservatory are open to visitors.
‘That was our toughest weekend of the season’: MSU hockey suffers worst loss yet to Ohio State
Michigan State hockey was all too familiar with the penalty box during its 6-0 shutout loss to No. 12 Ohio State on Saturday, serving eight penalties for a total of 16 minutes.
It was the first time Jagger Joshua was sent to the penalty box since MSU’s game against Penn State on Nov. 19, during which he racked up 17 minutes, including a game misconduct infraction. The following week, Head Coach Adam Nightingale made the decision to bench Joshua for the first game of the team’s series with Miami (OH) Thanksgiving weekend.
Sophomore forward Jesse Tucker was also called for roughing alongside OSU’s Tyler Duke.
After giving up one power-play goal on two chances Friday, and six in the last four games, MSU improved its penalty kill efforts during the rematch, allowing OSU to net one out of seven opportunities.
With the sweep, OSU extends its winning streak to five, while MSU now extends its losing streak to five. This loss was the biggest shutout the Spartans have suffered thus far. The Buckeyes now sit one point above MSU in conference standings with 21.
Despite the fact the team has not won a game in almost a month, Nightingale remains optimistic and said the team is not done learning yet this season.
Puck drop for the second series between the Spartans and the Nittany Lions is at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Based on original reporting by Alex Walters and Maddy Warren.
Welcome to the last episode of the semester! Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy with some snow showers coming in the afternoon with a high of 38 degrees and a low of 29 degrees. For the weekend, it looks like it will be high 30’s with cloudy skies all weekend.
EL Independent Police Oversight Commission faces low turnout, unable to pass motion
Of the 11 commissioners serving on the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission, five were in attendance for the commission’s monthly meeting this past Wednesday.
There must be a minimum of six members in attendance for the meeting to have quorum – or to make the meeting’s proceedings valid.
Vice-chair Chris Root said the low turn-out was unusual and abnormal, with only three commissioners informing her of their absence before the meeting.
Due to the lack of attendance, a use of force motion related to an illegal search and seizure conducted by ELPD officers in late May was not discussed or passed.
The subject of the search was told by officers he needed to stay until paramedics checked him out, also violating ELPD policy regarding “persons refusing EMS care.”
However, parts of the complaint investigation, including the subject’s name, were redacted.
The Oversight Commission is not privy to certain statements made by officers investigated due to a collective bargaining agreement between the police union and management. This means an officer can elect to not have their statements included in investigation documents.
The motion, unable to be rejected or passed at the meeting due to lack of attendance, would have recommended an external, outside-agency review to determine whether the incident described in the complaint was a reportable use of force.
The commission will meet again on Jan. 4 at the Hannah Community Center.
Have a food-based startup idea? MSU has a kitchen for that
At MSU, student-created food startups have found their place in the Venture Kitchen, a fully licensed professional kitchen space on the second floor of the Union.
The kitchen, officially launched this summer, is an extension of the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Discovery Program and is free to use for food-based entrepreneurs within the program.
Marketing junior and founder of OG’s Bakery Olivia Gargett spends nearly every week in the kitchen fulfilling orders for her homemade treats.
“The Venture Kitchen space has been amazing for me,” Gargett said. “The cost of rent for that kind of thing can be very expensive, so it’s just been a great space for me to be able to fulfill my orders while I’m at school and also keep growing.”
“I entered the Burgess New Venture Challenge pitch competition just for fun, to meet people because I was a COVID freshman, so I hadn’t really met anyone else,” Gargett said.
Gargett ended up winning first place in the competition and received funds to support the growth of her business. Those funds help her purchase bulk supplies, rent vendor spaces at farmers’ markets and are now going towards renting an incubator kitchen space in her hometown of Grand Rapids.
Marketing senior and founder of portable soup company, Soup N’ Sip, Olivia Simone said the support she has received in the development of her company inspired her to reciprocate that support as a venture capitalist post-graduation.
Simone founded the company last year after winning a pitch competition. She said she uses the Venture Kitchen when her home kitchen is too small.
Simone said, “It’s very much a long-haul decision and a lot of money. … The Burgess Institute has given me so much funding so I could do it, I’m just trying to see if that’s where my next steps lie since I am graduating and looking for a full-time job.”
Gargett, on the other hand, said she plans to run OG’s Bakery full-time after college and is confident that MSU will continue to support the growth of her company beyond the Venture Kitchen space.
MSU students discuss ways to stay motivated during the ‘holiday slump’
As the seasons change and the holidays approach, it becomes increasingly hard for many students to stay engaged.
For students like human biology junior Ellen Kim, the shorter days of colder months come with less motivation.
Kim said it is especially hard to keep her spirits up with her upcoming final exams. Even after having a break over Thanksgiving, she has noticed a constant feeling of stress.
International relations sophomore Rory McMahon said the university’s approaching holiday break, which begins on Dec. 17, can exacerbate anxiety and depression.
McMahon said that this time of year is always the most stressful, and she finds herself scrambling to finish work.
Computer science sophomore Jennifer Lee said she increases her social interaction to cope with the mental slump.
Kim said she holds herself to a higher standard of time management as the end of the year is close by.
McMahon also advises other students to explore different corners of campus and try to enjoy various environments every day.
Based on original reporting by Wajeeha Kamal, Kayal Nelsen and Dipika Rao.
To end our last episode of the semester, here are a few announcements!
Here is the MSU Athletic line-up for the weekend…
Tonight
- Hockey will go up against Michigan at 6:30 P.M. at Munn Ice Arena.
Tomorrow
- MSU basketball will vs. Brown at 4:30 P.M. at the Breslin Center.
For our last announcement, this will be the last week of The State for the semester until we come back from winter break. In that case, thank you all so much who have been listening all semester long and hopefully everyone has a safe and healthy break and happy holidays!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy earlier in the day with partial sunshine expected later with a high of 39 degrees and a low of 29 degrees.
EL City Council delays vote on “sanctuary city” proposal, citing possible implications
The East Lansing City Council decided Tuesday to delay a vote on declaring the city as a sanctuary city, citing requests to the city’s legal team on effects the status could have and how the status would differ from East Lansing’s current “safe haven” status passed in 2017.
The city’s Human Rights Commission, later joined by the University Student Commission, passed a resolution last month asking the council to designate East Lansing as a sanctuary city. The designation would mean city officials and law enforcement would not cooperate with federal agents to enforce immigration laws.
Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg, who is in favor of the resolution, said she was an audience member during the council’s 2017 resolution declaring the city a “safe haven.” The original resolution to declare East Lansing a “sanctuary city” was softened due to the threat from the Trump administration to withhold funding from cities that declared themselves as such.
However, for the next couple of years, the city will not have to worry about the threat of withheld funds as a result of the Biden administration’s stance on the matter, according to East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas.
According to Gregg, East Lansing already upholds the policies that support the mission of a sanctuary city. However, the city hasn’t committed itself to the full “sanctuary” wording.
Attorney Anthony Chubb said the 2017 resolution changed policy to where the city refused to participate with federal authorities as it related to unfair treatment against people with immigrant or refugee status. Under the new proposed resolution in 2022, the East Lansing Police Department would continue to operate as it has been since the 2017 policy change, which includes acting on violations of law or judicial orders like warrants.
According to Chubb, there is no statute defining a “sanctuary city,”. The term was used to combine local governmental entities that aimed to adopt pro-immigrant policies.
12% forward, 7% back: MSU’s clean energy use has decreased, underperformed board’s goals
In 2012, MSU’s Board of Trustees passed the Campus Energy Transition Plan, or ETP. The document prescribed yearly goals for the use of renewable energy to power MSU’s campus. It outlined a system of review for updating those goals every five years until the ETP’s planned end in 2030.
On the ETP’s passage, Board of Trustees Chairperson Dianne Byrum said, “at the time, we wanted to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk too.”
MSU’s campus is energy independent, powered by a natural gas power-plant just south of Holden Hall and arrays of solar panels in various locations. According to the plan, by the 2022 fiscal year MSU should be powered by 22% renewable energy. Today MSU’s campus runs on about 5% renewable energy, according to MSU Deputy Spokesperson Dan Olsen.
This not only falls short of the goals set by the board but is also a step towards fossil fuels from past achievement. According to a 2017 review of the ETP, that year MSU was producing an estimated 12.3% of its energy with renewable sources like solar arrays.
Byrum said the board hasn’t been involved in any evaluation of the plan’s goals or the university’s progress since 2017.
There is no planned review for 2022, as the ETP has been reduced in scale and rolled into MSU’s broader “Strategic Plan.” According to Byrum, this is part of a larger reconsideration of the ETP’s value to the university.
The focus of the strategic plan’s sustainability pillar is on total emissions, not energy production. While it’s reviewed annually by the board, there isn’t a process for a broader stakeholder review like the one prescribed in the ETP.
Going forward, Byrum no longer sees energy transition as the top sustainability priority.
She said the sustainability focus was shifting to areas like transportation, though she said there was not data available to the board that would suggest transportation makes up a higher percentage of MSU’s emissions than electricity production.
How are East Lansing businesses preparing for winter break?
As Michigan State University students leave East Lansing to ring in the holidays during winter break, the city’s bars, restaurants and shops are left having to adapt. Occupancy will fall short, staff will be reduced and new ideas will be created for the new year.
Most East Lansing establishments will stay open during the break but expect to see some schedule changes.
Barrio, East Lansing’s local branch of the chain providing tacos and margaritas, will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Other than that, they will be running as usual, with a few changes.
Barrio manager Calli Stahl estimated occupancy will be 50 percent less over the holiday. With that in mind, the restaurant will be scheduling less staff members.
Inventory will also take a cut so that less spoiled food will be thrown out.
New promotions have been whipped up in light of a less busy schedule, and they will continue to be discussed throughout the break.
Barrio is not the only establishment with new plans for the new year.
Max Saylor, manager of Harper’s Restaurant & Brew Pub and P.T. O’Malley’s, has a few ideas up his sleeve.
In previous years, the establishment has given back to charity during the holiday season and hopes to continue with it this year.
In terms of occupancy, Saylor expects to see a decent drop some nights based on previous breaks. To adjust to the decrease in customers, staff members will be given a few days off during break. However, once New Year’s Eve comes around, they’ll increase staff by about 50 percent.
For DBN Boutique, a women’s clothing store located on M.A.C. Avenue, expects to be open most of the winter break.
But also, the boutique’s online store is open to customers, where they can browse for their selection.
The store plans to have a few promotions before break starts. On Dec. 10, a giveaway will be announced. They also plan to have a sale, but no details have been announced yet.
Based on original reporting by Wajeeha Kamal, Alex Walters and Anna Ryan.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting mostly cloudy with a high of 46 degrees and a low of 32 degrees.
The end-of-the-semester class surveys are changing. Here’s what students think of them
At the end of every semester, MSU students are required to complete a survey form, the Student Instructional Rating System, or SIRS, to receive their final grades in their classes. Now, the form is undergoing its first update since 1979.
“We’re trying to create a new culture around this … we want SIRS to address what quality teaching looks like on campus,” assistant dean for global education and curriculum James Lucas said.
The updated SIRS form will have a 20-question limit and will be formatted in a cascading style, Lucas said. The first several questions will be university-wide, while the remaining will be determined by the class’s respective college, department, then faculty members. The goal is to make the questions more specific and robust, Lucas said.
Advertising management junior Analise Macksood said the current 26-question form is too time-consuming during the busyness of finals week.
“I don’t have time to breathe, so how do I have time to fill out a 30-minute SIRS form?” Macksood said. “I think it’s a pain to fill them out … they’re lengthy and a lot of the questions are exactly the same, just worded differently.”
Macksood suggested a more effective professor rating system should include questions about the interactivity of the class and how cared for and included students felt.
Creative advertising freshman Danielle Borst said the current surveys lack space to express specific concerns about the class or professor.
“It doesn’t have any place to specifically put what I think,” Borst said. “(For example, maybe) the way the homework was graded bugged me, but there’s no questions on how you feel about the grading system.”
Bartenders, servers challenge potential minimum wage change, fear life without tips
When the clock strikes 5 p.m. on a Friday night, masses of Michigan State University students and locals alike have one destination in mind: the bar.
Customers enthusiastically join a line that trails down the street, sometimes waiting 30 minutes to make it inside their favorite bar. Once inside, they might spend another 20 minutes waiting for a drink inside the packed room, anxiously tapping their card on the counter to catch the bartender’s attention.
But an entirely different world exists for those who stand on the other side of the bar top.
For service workers, these nights are how rent is made, how tuition gets paid and how they make a comfortable living in an otherwise unstable line of work.
Barring any action, a measure that removes Michigan’s tip credit will go into effect in February 2023.
The tip credit allows employers to pay tipped employees a lesser wage than the state’s minimum – $3.75 per hour. Tips left by customers compensate for this low wage.
The understanding that employees survive off tips leads to a certain degree of customer sympathy, and overall, more frequent tipping.
Patrons now accept tipping as the essential cost for great service, which in turn allows workers to not just merely survive but create a comfortable lifestyle.
Quite frankly, many bartenders are being affected from this.
MSU alum and The Riviera Cafe bartender Gabbie Huhn has been in the industry since she was 14. She earns between $30 and $40 per hour bartending. The flexible gig has allowed her to support herself through college and more easily meet her graduate school application requirements.
Huhn said she doesn’t have a single coworker who would do the job she does for a regular hourly wage. The job is difficult, she said, working “awful” hours, often past 2 a.m. The money, however, is what makes it all worth it.
Without tipping, Huhn said the experience customers receive inside restaurants would not be the same. She said removing the incentive of a tip would result in worse service.
Landlord details winter preparation steps for students leaving during break
As the semester comes to a close, many students will be leaving their on-and-off-campus housing for an extended period of time over winter break. Before leaving, there are several steps students should take to prepare their houses for the winter.
East Lansing landlord Matt Hagan said Hagan Realty sends an email out to all tenants before winter break listing preparation steps to take if they will be leaving. The top of the email, in large, bold red text states, “Do not turn your furnace off!”
Leaving your heat on is necessary because pipes can freeze and break without adequate heat, Hagan said. He said his company has seen the consequences of residents turning off the heat during the winter.
Also, Hagan Realty recommends its tenants to keep the heat at a minimum of 60 degrees while they are gone. While slightly lower temperatures might be OK in some houses, Hagan said it is risky because not all parts of the house heat up the same. He said it’s not worth taking the chance.
The second tip Hagan Realty gives tenants is to remove any hoses attached to the outside of the house. Similarly, to the inside of the house, when water isn’t fully drained from the hose it can freeze in the pipes and cause them to burst when they warm back up.
As far as weather, the city of East Lansing has its own policies dictating when snow and ice need to be removed, and students may be at risk for a ticket for not shoveling while they are gone on break. Hagan said his company offers to clear its tenants’ sidewalks for a small fee, which ultimately ends up being considerably cheaper than if somebody were to get a ticket.
Hagan Realty also reminds tenants to lock all doors and windows and take home any valuables that are easy to move. Hagan said students should remove window air conditioners if they are still up because they can be easily removed from the outside.
Based on original reporting by Kayla Nelsen, Miranda Dunlap and Vivian Barrett.
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with a high of 45 degrees and a low of 35 degrees.
59th Annual Winter Arts and Crafts show supports community, local artists
The University Activities Board, or UAB, hosted the 59th annual Winter Arts and Crafts show at the MSU Union this past weekend.
This year saw 125 vendors spread across the MSU Union selling everything from paintings to jewelry to soaps. Some vendors have been coming to the show for over 40 years. UAB Assistant Director Sara Stratilatov said that this is the first year the show is in full force since the start of the pandemic, and she loves seeing the community come together for this event.
It was an opportunity for local artists to sell their work ahead of the holiday season and a fundraiser for the UAB.
The UAB is very intentional with their vendor selection, Stratilatov said. They want to honor those who have been coming for years but they also must offer a variety of choices.
Biochemistry junior Nikita Nel came to the show looking for jewelry and Christmas gifts. She came to the event last year and wanting to come back.
“It’s good to definitely support local businesses and help them get more customers,” Nel said. “Also, you just get to find some things you may have not like known about and find cool stuff to like spread to your family.”
Rose Stevens, an East Lansing resident, came to the show for the first time this year. She said its a fun event for women to visit together.
Stevens said that she plans to come again in future years since she was so successful with her purchases. She has had to make trips back to her car to drop things off after buying them.
It helps support local artists, the UAB and MSU, she said.
Incoming students denied on-campus housing for spring semester
The MSU Housing Assignments Office sent a message to 95 incoming students telling them that they would not be provided housing in the dorms for spring semester on Nov. 17.
Prior to receiving the message, incoming students who wished to live on campus filled out interest forms. Although 70% of those students were given on-campus housing, the other 30% were told there was not enough space for them in on-campus housing and were given off-campus housing resources. Additionally, due to residence hall organization, the university was able to provide housing to all women students, but not men.
Associate Director for Communications in Residence Education and Housing Services Bethany Balks said the issue came down to an unexpectedly large number of spring-admitted students.
This comes after the reinstatement of MSU’s new two-year live-on requirement, which requires freshmen and sophomores to live in the dorms. When alerted that their kids would not be provided housing, many parents took to the MSU Class of 2026 Facebook group to express frustration over the fact that MSU’s new policy had seemingly backfired.
In response to these complaints, the university sent out another email telling these students that they could still choose to live on campus for the fall of 2023.
Balks said the high number of students has been a trend since the pandemic. Many Big Ten schools, she said, have experienced higher numbers of students who wish to live on campus. As a result, housing has been meeting with admissions to determine what adjustments need to be made to the system.
Black students in politics inspired by Bolden’s appointment to Michigan Supreme Court
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that she will appoint Michigan Rep. Kyra Harris Bolden as a Michigan Supreme Court justice. Bolden will be the first Black woman on the Michigan Supreme Court and will replace retiring former Chief Justice Bridget McCormack.
The expected appointment of Bolden reflects similarities to the election of former President Barack Obama and the recent appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court — an expanding change that is shaping the discourse and ideas of the political sphere, political theory and constitutional democracy junior Joshua Dorcely said.
Social relations and policy junior Drue Bender found Bolden’s appointment inspiring and gave her hope as a Black woman in politics.
Bolden has prioritized criminal justice reform while serving in the Michigan House of Representatives since 2018.
Bender advises politically passionate students to not be scared to work in the field, although it may be intimidating.
Based on original reporting by Hannah Woehlre, Amalia Medina and Ashley Zhou.
Welcome to the last week of The State for the 2022 fall semester! Today’s weather forecast is predicting overcast with a high of 43 degrees and a low of 33 degrees.
MSU defensive lineman Jacob Slade declares for 2023 NFL Draft
Michigan State defensive lineman Jacob Slade announced his intent to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, foregoing his extra year of eligibility granted by the pandemic. He made the announcement this past Saturday afternoon through his Twitter account. Slade finished the season with 20 total tackles but was forced to sit out four games due to injury.
Slade first joined the program in 2018 where he redshirted before earning a starting spot at defensive tackle in 2019. Since then, Slade has played a key role on the defensive line and became a veteran leader during the 2022 season.
After starting the first two games of the season, Slade went down with an injury causing him to miss the next four games. He returned against Wisconsin along with fifth-year safety Xavier Henderson and the difference the two made was immediately felt.
Slade is the fifth Spartan thus far to announce their intent to declare for the draft, following redshirt senior wide receiver Jayden Reed, fifth-year tight end Daniel Barker, redshirt senior linebacker Ben VanSumeren, and senior defensive end Kendell Brooks.
The 2023 NFL Draft will take place from April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Student-run theater company Second Stage Productions brings Rocky Horror Show to MSU
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Second Stage Productions, an MSU student-run theater company, will return to the stage to perform Rocky Horror Show on Dec. 9 and 10.
An organizational subset of the MSU Department of Theatre, Second Stage aims to give students of all disciplines an inclusive theater experience, Rocky Horror Show director and Second Stage marketing director Josh Denver said.
The Second Stage season extends with three main shows per semester during the fall and spring. Along with a full production by Second Stage Productions, students from Second Stage Musical Theatre perform a cabaret and students from the Second Stage improv group, After School Special, perform an improv show. However, in the past two years, the Second Stage seasons were filled with smaller productions and student-written work.
In typical Rocky Horror fashion, audience participation is encouraged throughout the show. Donations to Second Stage of any amount allow audience members to receive a bag of rice to throw at performers during the show. In addition to call and response interactions, Denver said the audience will be invited to perform the song “The Time Warp” with the cast onstage.
Denver said the upcoming performance is an opportunity to bring back aspects of the original Rocky Horror Show fan base from the 1970s, like costumes and midnight showings.
The Rocky Horror Show will premiere on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. in the MSU Auditorium Arena Theatre. There will be additional showings on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Crumbl Cookies opens new location in Lansing
Crumbl Cookies, a Utah-based specialty cookie shop, opened a new location in Lansing last Friday morning.
Customers began waiting in line around 7:45 in the morning, said Crumbl Cookies Lansing owner Andrew Lord. The other nearest locations of the cookie shop include Grand Rapids, Novi and Ann Arbor.
Lord said the Lansing location was approved in the summer of 2021 and construction began in July this past summer. The company also plans to open a location in East Lansing in 2023.
“For all kinds of people in the community, it’s a chance for them to be able to have a Crumbl to call their own, where they can still get what they want without having to spend half their day driving,” Lord said.
Crumbl Cookies is located at 501 N. Marketplace Blvd. East in Lansing and is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Based on original reporting by Jenna Malinowski and Kayla Nelsen.
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