Thursday 1/15/15

State News Performer The

Comedian

Assistant Professor

Ensemble Friend

Broadway Veteran

Greg

Choreographer

(1971-2014) Understudy

Dancer Backup Singer Son

Read late theatre professor Greg Reuter’s obituary on page 7 s c a n da l

Teacher

politics

Fraternity denies explicit video

Pi Kappa Alpha claims the video was not created at Michigan State University — page 2 T hu r s day, Ja n ua ry 15, 2 015

Faculty Member

@thesnews

graphic: carla prida

sports

Sam Singh to serve as minority floor leader

Izzo happy to start up the regular practice schedule

— page 4

— page 10

The former E.L. rep said he looks forward to making bipartisan legislative changes

stat enews .com

The men’s basketball coach said it was hard to practice two times a day during break

Opinion

Greg Monahan Opinion editor opinion@statenews.com @thesnewsopinion

Opinion Po ll To day ’ s q u e s t i o n

Did you choose your major based primarily on interest or potential future income?

To vote, visit statenews.com

mike holloway

Despite perception, liberal arts majors are not doomed to fail

The showtimes for Jan. 15-18 are as follows: Pursuit of Happyness Fri, Sat & Sun - Wells Hall 7:00 p.m. & 9:05p.m.

Dear White People Thursday - 115 B Wells Hall 9:00 p.m.

Fri, Sat & Sun - Wells Hall 7:10 & 9:10 p.m.

Equalizer Thursday - 119 B Wells Hall 8:30 p.m.

Fri, Sat & Sun - Wells Hall www.rha.msu.edu 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. ccc@rha.msu.edu 517-355-8285

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The State N e ws

Thursday, Janua ry 1 5, 2 01 5

By Jessica Sattler jsattler@statenews.com

In the world of academia, there is an unspoken hierarchy in terms of a college degree’s prestige.

Engineering and pre-med majors are near the top, with marketing and accounting somewhere in the middle and liberal arts degrees at the very bottom.

English majors, in particular, are the butt of many jokes in popular culture, particularly in terms of what sort of employment awaits them after graduation. Flipping burgers is a popular choice for this type of banter.

But it’s the English majors who are getting the last laugh.

Popular opinion has historically viewed English majors as being of little use. From an objective standpoint, it’s easy to see why. It’s highly unusual to see a job posting with the words “English major required” somewhere in the description, unless that job is for an English teacher or writer. Ask an English major the last time they’ve seen a posting asking specifically for their major, and they might offer a sarcastic laugh or a sad chuckle.

This is because the need for English majors is not an obvious one. As college graduates emerge from their education without a clear grasp of basic spelling and grammar or communication skills, employers become increasingly frustrated. Additionally, a degree in engineering or mathematics may provide support for a potential employee’s intelligence, but says nothing about their interpersonal abilities.

An English degree, or nearly any liberal arts degree, prepares an individual for critical thinking and analysis in their everyday lives. English majors are taught to formulate their arguments carefully and to have a clear basis for that argument. They can read a text

and quickly summarize the main point, then draw conclusions and ask questions based on what they’ve read.

Employers want graduates who can communicate. A degree in English guarantees to these employers that the person they’re hiring is capable of communicating clearly in writing and speech with their coworkers and beyond.

An English major is the type of employee who can easily assemble a presentation or organize a meeting based on the skills they’ve learned over the course of their education. These skills are the foundation of a hirable employee, as good communication and interpersonal abilities have to be learned before actual work can begin.

If the unemployment rates are analyzed, English majors are actually faring pretty well in the job market when compared to majors considered “more employable” by the general public.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, the average unemployment rate for a recent college graduate in English from 2009-2010 was 9.2 percent. Recent graduates in mechanical engineering could expect an 8.6 percent rate, marketing graduates a 7.2 percent rate and economics graduates a 9.4 percent rate. Those gaps become even narrower if the English graduate has experience in their field.

A number of very successful and widely-known people have majored in English.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, journalist Barbara Walters, astronaut Sally Ride, comedian Joan Rivers and politician Mitt Romney are just a few English majors who have gone on to achieve some pretty remarkable things.

Despite the evidence contrary to popular opinion, it’s unlikely that the trend of looking down on English majors will end anytime soon.

But in a way, that’s a good thing. English graduates are underestimated and fly below the radar, snatching up jobs their colleagues don’t have the skills for.

So, relax, English majors. Take a deep breath.

Nod and smile through the jokes at your expense. You aren’t the first to take this path, and you won’t be the last.

After all, if Mitt Romney can do it, so can you.

Contents

5

da i ly N u m b e r

inside

Check out these popular smart phone apps that students are obsessed with

BWL General Manager Peter Lark fired from his position for ‘just cause’

Students use syllabus week to go out, businesses recover revenue

Page 5

Page 6

Page 8

“It’s less a ‘this is what hookup culture is’ book and more of a ‘how to think about hookup culture’ book.”

Read more about the book on hookup culture written by an mSU professor on page 9

MSU football’s final ranking in the final AP poll.

Read more on page 11

Stephanie Amada, rhetoric and American cultures professor

MSU fraternity denies producing sexually explicit video Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has been engulfed in controversy after a post on the anonymous smart phone app Yik Yak alluded to a video of a woman performing oral sex on a man was circulated earlier this week.

In the sexually explicit video the unidentified male filming the video asks the female, “What’s the best fraternity at MSU?” to which the woman replies, “Pike,” the fraternity’s nickname, in slurred speech. It’s unknown if the act was consensual or if the woman was inebriated.

President of Pi Kappa Alpha Christopher Kojaian

Engineering sophomore Nadaly Marchi poses for a portrait Wednesday as she models winter gear from local businesses on Grand River Ave. in East Lansing. photo: kennedy thatch

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State News Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Ave. during business hours.

categorically denied his fraternity’s involvement in the video. He alleged the video originated at another university with the same acronym as MSU, and said the fraternity is going to wait out any potential fallout from the video.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation,” Kojaian said.

“We feel very bad for the girl in the video. We had absolutely nothing to do with the production or the distribution of the video and we don’t think it has anything to do with Michigan State University.”

Read more online at statenews.com — Cameron Macko

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OPINION EDITOR Greg Monahan Copyright © 2014 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich.

Th u r s day, Jan uary 1 5, 2 01 5

Th e Stat e N e ws

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News Former E.L. rep Sam Singh to serve as minority floor leader Singh makes leap to minority floor leader and looks forward to making bipartisan legislative changes

By Cameron Macko cmacko@statenews.com

The Union was the victim of a series of furniture thefts over the course of several weeks last semester, said Union Manager Tami Kuhn.

Kuhn said they must have walked the furniture out of the doors during business hours, probably when the building was less busy during the evening, as the doors are locked after the Union closes.

“They were really clever ... we have some ideas in some video footage but nothing right now that is definitive in terms of who might have taken the furniture and where it is right now,” Kuhn said.

The MSU police has not told Kuhn anything that she was willing to discuss.

Furniture stolen “includes a black chair made of a leather, or leather-like material, a tan couch, brown loveseat with a circle design and two chairs with metal legs,” the Lansing State Journal reported.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call Detective Chad Davis at (517) 3552226, or leave an anonymous tip at the MSU Police’s Facebook page or website.

MSU Police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor was not available for comment.

By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán smartinez@statenews.com

Michigan state Rep. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, will serve as the minority f loor leader for the 2015-2016 legislative session.

As a minority floor leader, Singh will be a liaison between the Republican and Democratic delegations.

“My position works very closely with the Republican floor leader to make sure, as we discuss policy, that ideas from both sides of the aisle are being heard, and work closely with my Democratic colleagues to make sure our ideas and voices are heard here at the Capitol,” Singh said.

Although only 49 of the 110 state representatives are Democrats, Singh said things can be achieved working in a bipartisan way.

“Last term I think we did a number of good things in a bipartisan fashion,” Singh said.

“We were able to put together a roads package, we were able to increase funding to higher education, we were able to increase the minimum wage and so there are times that we will take ideas from our side and work with our Republican colleagues to try to make them happen.”

Singh, however, recognizes that working in a Republican-led House of Representatives can be difficult.

“When there is one party in control and they are actually in control of the House, the Senate and the governorship, it is up to their lead, to some extent, to work with us,” Singh said. “To some degree they don’t have to because they have enough votes to pass their bills without our votes.”

Singh plans to reintroduce a bill that grants money for higher education scholarships, he said.

“There are a number of scholarship programs for higher education that, over a period of time, have been eliminated because we were having economic struggles. But now, as the economy is getting better, I’d like to reinsti4

Student Union missing couch, loveseat, after ‘clever’ theft

Park District demolition plans put on hold by Council

By Troy Jefferson tjefferson@statenews.com

State Representative Sam Singh takes the oath Wednesday during the opening session of the House and Senate at the Capitol Building in Downtown Lansing. Singh was appointed for the first time as Minority Floor Leader. photo: kelsey feldpausch

tute those,” Singh said.

Singh said he hopes funding for higher education will not be cut during this legislative session.

“We do have some budget difficulties,” Singh said. “My understanding is that there are certain areas in the general fund not bringing in as much revenue as was anticipated so that there will be some level of cuts, but my hope is that what we’ve done over the past three years of increasing

The State N e ws

higher education funding … won’t roll that back.”

As his second legislative term starts, Singh said he will also reintroduce the expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to members of the LGBT community — the expansion will prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, identity and gender.

“You don’t want to have laws in your books or have a perception of your state that is not open, that is not welcoming,”

Thursday, Janua ry 1 5, 2 01 5

Singh said. “And if that’s the case, we are losing our economic edge.”

Although Singh said he had been hopeful the bill would have passed during the last legislative session, he will continue to push for approval.

“I can’t judge this new legislature until it meets and until it starts voting on things, but my hope is that over a period of time people will come to the right side of justice,” Singh said.

City council decided to defer discussion of demolishing properties on W. Grand River and 303 Abbot Road until Jan. 27.

A site plan is on the table from the Park District Investment Group to construct a ten-story mixed-use building containing retail and restaurant spaces; 120-room hotel, which will contain a restaurant; and two levels of parking and apartments.

Park District Investment Group is proposing to demolish the former Citizens Bank, as well as buildings on 124, 128, 130, 136 and 140 W. Grand River Ave. and 303 Abbot Road.

Some things council wants to see better addressed in two weeks are the size of the apartments, the concept of longer leases, accessibility and a monetary analysis.

Potential rowdiness of tenants was another concern voiced by council. They would also like to review behavioral restrictions on the leases.

East Lansing’s planning and zoning administrator Darcy Schmitt said the council reached out to The Peoples Church on 200 W. Grand River Ave. to get their thoughts. Schmitt said the church has a meeting set up with their elder members to discuss the proposal.

Olivia Dimmer and Simon Schuster Trends and issues editor Breaking news editor campus@statenews.com @thesnews

Hey, they call it Trivia ‘Crack’ for a reason Apps like Yik Yak and Trivia Crack are the newest means of procrastination for many students and smartphone users

It’s spring semester syllabus week in East Lansing — the time of year thousands of MSU students brave the frigid elements in their treks across campus, and in some cases, find their lecture halls as full as they’ll be until the first exam.

But while the professors drone on about class expectations and the details of the next $200 textbook that will need to be bought, what will students be doing to occupy their time this week?

Trivia Crack This game has been all the rage lately. The app allows friends to compete in a trivia contest ranging from six categories (history, science, geography, entertainment, art and sports) for up to 25 rounds or the first person to correctly answers a question in each category. Some MSU students said at times this game can be tough to put down.

“It’s just kind of an addicting game,” communications junior Linnea Hodson said. “The first couple days I had it, I was playing it all the time.”

For some people, the game has become a family affair.

“I am (into that game). All the time,” kinesiology freshman Jenna Krause said. “My whole family is … we have family challenges. It’s just

an ongoing game.”

Still, some people are doing their best to stay away from the game’s addictive qualities.

“People get addicted to that game,” prenursing freshman Evan Tanner said. “I have played it but I don’t have it on my phone. I’m saving myself time and effort.”

Snapchat There shouldn’t much of a surprise that Snapchat makes this list. What was once solely an app to share pictures with friends that would disappear within 10 seconds of being sent, today has grown into much, much more.

Since then, selfie games have improved everywhere as today’s Snapchat features include updated feeds at popular events around the world, a texting feature and a Snapcash option to transfer money between accounts.

Some users are confused by the score listed next to each Snapchatter’s username, but continue to use it.

“It’s just how many snaps you send out and receive,” general management freshman Natalie Koski said with a laugh, going on to describe her theory of Snapchat’s complex scoring system. “I don’t really know why there’s points.”

Yik Yak This app has been described as an anonymous Twitter, and that’s exact-

How to take care of your car in frigid temperatures this winter Faculty members from the MSU Energy and Automotive Labs share some tips for keeping your cars running in chilly weather

ly what it is. The app allows people to post messages to an anonymous forum where only people within a certain radius can see what was posted.

The app’s most popular messages (often a clever joke or play on words) get “up-voted” on to the app’s “hot page” for more people to see. Over the course of the past year or so, the app’s popularity has blown up across college campuses.

“If I’m in a big class, I can tell when people yak because they’re saying something that just happened in my class. It’s funny,” Krause said.

“And you see the ones where it says ‘if you’re in chemistry 141, raise your hand at this time.’”

But as for Yik Yak’s prestige in places other than college campuses? Not so much.

“I’m from a small town (in Pennsylvania) so there’s about five yaks a week,” Tanner said. “So it’s a lot better (in East Lansing). It’s a lot more entertaining. People aren’t as insulting to each other here so it’s a lot better.”

Distracting Apps

Facebook

Twitter

Snapchat

Trivia Crack

Instagram

Yik Yak

graphic: sally zimmerman

By Ryan Squanda rsquanda@statenews.com

12:40 PM

Twitter, Facebook and Instagram If there was such a thing, these three apps would make it on the Mt. Rushmore of social media (along with their deceased ancestor Myspace). Nearly every person asked mentioned that they use these apps on their phone, so it’s no surprise they make this list.

By zoe schubot feedback@statenews.com

Similar to the preparations students must make to prepare for subzero temperatures — bundling up, staying hydrated, etc. — it is important for car owners to give similar attention to their vehicles in order to avoid the inevitable early-morning car failure.

Faculty members from the MSU Energy and Automotive Research Labs have some advice to students looking to keep their cars running as the polar vortex makes its way to MSU. Check Batteries Professor George Zhu suggests, “The first thing … is looking to the batteries. Make sure that you have a good battery that will be able to support the engine.” Once the batteries have been checked, and replaced if necessary, students can start focusing on other areas of concern.

Stay Fueled Professor Harold Schock, director of the EARL, warned that there are a myriad of

factors contributing to cars getting less mileage in the winter. “Gasoline has a different composition in the summer and in the winter, and winter gasoline has compounds which don’t have quite as much energy as summer gasoline … so your fuel economy goes down a little bit.” Schock said.

Check Wipers and Lights Schock pointed out that in winter conditions you “have to run lights and windshield wipers more frequently.” Lights and windshield wipers are crucial in winter conditions so it is vital to ensure they are running properly before ending up in the middle of a blizzard. Additionally, Zhu emphasized the importance of checking windshield wiper fluid levels to ensure they don’t run out, especially in situations like highway driving.

Keep Cool Although coolant might not be the first thing drivers think of when they prepare their car for winter, Zhu said it is important to “make sure that the mixture is right, T h u rs day, January 1 5, 2 01 5

because if you mix it with too much water the coolant could freeze.” Frozen coolant can lead to serious engine problems and costly repairs.

Park in the Garage Although Schock did say defrosting your car can be necessary for safety reasons involving visibility, he also warned that leaving your car running to warm it up further lowers the fuel economy. “The fuel economy when you’re running the car in the driveway is basically zero,” Schock said. “You’re not going any miles for the fuel you use, so the best thing to do is to park it in the garage.”

Prepare for the Worst Even with the utmost preparation, winter driving is dangerous and unpredictable.

Zhu said, “Keep a blanket in the car. Just in case your car does have any problems and you’re on the highway or somewhere waiting for help, you won’t get too cold.”

See tomorrow’s paper for tips on winter bike care Th e Stat e N e ws

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News MSU students not only ones having Starbucks study sessions East Lansing residents and East Lansing High School students Sadie Jay, Allie Bradley, and Kai Dotson study for their classes Saturday at Starbucks, 401 E. Grand River Ave. in East Lansing.

PHOTO: ALLYSON TELGENHOF

MSU seeks to phase out paper employee checks

By Ryan Squanda rsquanda@statenews.com

By August of 2015, employees at MSU will no longer be receiving paper checks, according to MSU Vice President of Finance and Treasury Mark Haas, who gave a presentation to the Steering Committee on Tuesday.

When MSU was first looking to make this change, there were a couple of options they were looking into — the first of which requiring its employees to enroll in direct deposit.

“But the fact is, the laws in Michigan don’t allow that to happen,” Haas said at the meeting. “But what they did do, is about two years ago, they changed the law slightly to say if people do not choose to do direct deposit with their payroll, you could require them to use a payroll card.”

According to Haas’ presentation, of the University’s nearly 30,000 employees, roughly 150-200 salary employees and 2,000 hourly employees (many of these being students), still receive paper checks. These 6

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employees will now be given the option to either enroll in direct deposit or have their paycheck deposited onto an MSUFCU pay card, which will then work like any other debit card.

Over the course of the next several months, changes and adjustments will be put in place before the university makes the full transition in August 2015. At that point, any new hires of the university will only be given the choice to enroll in either direct deposit or the pay card.

There are a number of benefits to the university making this change, Haas said at the meeting. These include increasing security for its employees, increasing the convenience for its employees but also for the reduction of the cost of sending each check.

“It costs us about $5 per check, to generate these, to mail them out,” Haas said.

“You figure if you’ve got 2,200 people, and you’re doing this a dozen times, it adds up to more than $100,000. That could basically fund another faculty position. That’s why we’re looking to do this.”

Thursday, Janua ry 1 5, 2 01 5

Lansing BWL dumps current manager, citing ‘misconduct’

By Ryan squanda rsquanda@statenews.com

According to several reports, the Lansing Board of Water and Light fired General Manager J. Peter Lark on Tuesday for “just cause” on the grounds that Lark has failed to fulfill the requirements of his job. According to Lark’s contract, “just cause” is synonymous with “employee misconduct.”

The decision on Tuesday came at a special meeting and according to a report by the Lansing State Journal, the vote of the board was 5-3 in favor of Lark’s termination — the very same board which had previously voted 7-1 to reappoint Lark’s contract for an eighth year through 2018 just six months prior.

The decision to suddenly oust Lark likely stems from his performance as general manager of the BWL when thousands of customers lost power following the ice storms in Lansing in December 2013. As for why the decision is coming now and not then, according to a report in the Lansing State Journal, BWL Commissioner Dennis Louney and other board members had lost faith in Lark, arguing his management style since the storm in December 2013 has not changed.

According to the same report, by firing

Lark for just cause, the BWL can save nearly $800,000. If the decision holds, the BWL will owe Lark just six months pay, or $129,251, rather than the five years of his contract, which would be about $900,000.

In a statement issued Tuesday night, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero thanked BWL commissioners for their work in “making this very serious decision.”

“I believe this episode has exposed serious structural and institutional deficiencies, which led to an overly generous contract that could result in a significant severance payment,” he said. “This must be fixed going forward.”

The statement went on to mention possible future changes to the Lansing City Charter to “address shortcomings of the current system.”

“I do wish Mr. Lark the best in his future endeavors and appreciate much of the work he did while leading the BWL, but it is now time to move the BWL forward into the future,” Bernero said.

In the meantime, Dick Peffley, a 38-year veteran of BWL, was named as interim general manager by the BWL Board of Commissioners. Peffley previously served as interim general manager in 2006.

Spotlight

Anya Rath Managing editor arath@statenews.com @thesnews

‘He was a great professor and a wonderful mentor to us all’

courtesy of MSU Department of Theatre

By AJ Moser amoser@statenews.com

After a national search for a tenured professor in musical theatre and dance, Greg Reuter joined MSU’s Theatre Department in the fall of 2014. Using his experience from working on Broadway, Reuter inspired students and headed several new initiatives within the department.

But suddenly and tragically on Dec. 18, 2014, Reuter died at the age of 43. The cause of death was not released by the family.

“Greg loved his job and his students so much,” wrote Roger and Peggy Reuter about their son in a local obituary. “He was so proud of the students he taught and commented many times on how fulfilling being a professor was for him.”

Reuter’s glowing reputation among theatre students is made clear by the actions taken after his sudden death.

The rock on Farm Lane was immediately painted with his name after his passing, and a group of students gathered to honor the contributions Reuter made to their schoolwork. In addition, some of his pupils sang at the funeral at the request of his family. A page asking for donations in Reuter’s memory was started by theatre senior Teriah Fleming on IndieGoGo.Com. “Ultimately whatever is raised will be given to his parents to do with as they please,” Fleming said.

The original plan was to cover funeral costs, but the family plans to donate most of the contributions back to MSU’s theatre department in Reuter’s name, Fleming said.

Donations have gone above and beyond the $500 goal. As of Wednesday, almost $700 had been raised.

Reuter had a lifelong passion for theatre; he graduated from Western Michigan University with a fine arts degree in 1993 and went on to spend the next 20 years in New York City working on several Broadway productions.

When Reuter came to MSU last August, he brought

with him a network of important and helpful contacts for students who aimed to ‘make it’ in the world of professional theatre.

“He came into the department at full speed,” theatre senior Joshua Whitson said. “He was unbelievably qualified, having been in numerous Broadway shows, and was a great professor and a wonderful mentor to us all.”

From actor to professor Reuter appeared in eight Broadway productions as an actor, including, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Chicago,” “Fosse,” “Bells Are Ringing,” “The Producers,” “Monty Python’s Spamalot” and “Shrek The Musical.”

He also frequently hosted Broadway sessions and designed curriculum at Broadway University.

Kirk Dormer, the Department of Theatre chairman, said the career transition for Reuter was huge and he admired “his enthusiasm toward the professional aspects of performing.”

Reuter’s connections to Broadway made him a widely successful addition to MSU’s theatre department. “(Greg’s) biggest contribution in his short time teaching at MSU was connecting students to current Broadway professionals that gave them intimate access to their lives,” said Rob Roznowski, head of acting and directing in the department.

Although his time at MSU was short, Reuter brought passion and progress to the theatre department. Using his Broadway contacts, Reuter organized a mentor program which paired individual MSU students with professionals currently working in Broadway.

Several of the students in this program were paired with professional actors, directors and writers. The program and the connections it created will act as a powerful legacy for Greg Reuter within the Theatre department.

Whitney Bunn, a theatre senior, was inspired to pursue her dream career by her mentor Erica Lustig, who recently won the title of The New York Musical The-

atre Festival’s ‘Next Broadway Sensation.’

“She has given me advice on everything from material selections and how to survive as a working actor in New York City,” Bunn said about Lustig. “As theatre students, our dreams are big. Having a mentor that is a working professional makes these big dreams tangible.”

As a professor, Reuter was working intimately inside the university as well as reaching out across the state and country.

A national legacy The ĭimáGEN program’s March performance will be dedicated to Reuter’s memory, as it was a collaboration that he passionately led in the fall. ĭimáGEN is a musical theatre immersion program that features MSU students, select high school students and Broadway professionals developing new theatre works to be performed at Wharton Center.

“Professor Reuter had nearly finalized all of the Broadway professionals for this spring’s production and was already working on solidifying a new musical theatre work (in the development phase) for next year’s program,” Dormer said.

In addition to creating and leading both of these inspirational programs, Reuter taught three full-time courses in the department: a musical theatre class, a dance improvisation class and a dance technique class focusing on jazz.

Countless members of the theatre department have expressed their grief that he only was with the university for a short period.

“The thing I loved most about Greg was his steadfast belief in every single one of his students,” Bunn said. “He believed in his students, and he believed in Michigan State. He was a Michigan native who worked hard to make his dreams of performing on Broadway a reality.”

Although Reuter played multiple roles onstage and off, his pupils at MSU remember him for simply being himself.

“He was a true inspiration to us,” Bunn said.

T h u rs day, January 1 5, 2 01 5

Th e Stat e N e ws

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Crossword

L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

News

Students spend ‘syllabus week’ on socializing, fun While many businesses prepare for a boost in revenue because of the influx of returning students, Spartans spend their time on leisure and with friends

ACROSS

1 Impresses big-time 5 Aquarium growth 9 Development site 14 Desktop since 1998 15 Cream-filled cake 16 Try to pick up 17 __ mining 18 Slaughter in baseball 19 Facebook posting 20 About whom Alice said, “... perhaps as this is May it won’t be raving mad” 23 Guffaw syllable 24 PC heart 25 Doodlebugs and polliwogs 29 Dirty politics 33 Enjoyed a trail 35 Skin care brand 36 Like many a joke 37 “Gotcha, man” 38 Count 40 Baffin Bay sight 41 Molokai memento 42 Game divided into chukkers 43 Bleachers filler 44 “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” event 48 Only vice president born in D.C. 49 Word of feigned innocence

50 Shares an email with 53 Dessert topper ... or a literal hint to what’s hidden in 20-, 29- and 44-Across 57 Bossa nova ancestor 60 Agent’s favorite sign 61 Ticklish Tyco toy for tots 62 Posture problem 63 Bed covering 64 Knighted Guinness 65 Ed Asner septet 66 Trap, in a way 67 Knight’s neighbor

DOWN

1 Side to side?

2 Beach near Utah?

3 Sport invented using boards and a clothesline 4 It may involve wiring 5 Mountain guide 6 See eye to eye 7 “This spells trouble!”

8 __ pit 9 Curative treatment 10 Baseball’s career save leader 11 Had 12 4-Down 13 Big bang producer 21 Served to perfection?

22 Skin care brand 26 Solo instrument for which six Bach suites were written 27 Radiant 28 Put the kibosh on 30 Eldest March sister 31 Lemon or tangerine 32 The whole schmear 33 Broom-__: comics witch 34 Perfectionist’s goal 38 Marisa of “The Wrestler” 39 Mode lead-in 40 Pendulum direction?

42 “Could happen” 43 Smart 45 Drive rider 46 2001 Audrey Tautou title role 47 Take baby steps 51 Stan Lee had one in “The Avengers” (2012) 52 Clothes protector 54 Sibilant summons 55 __ Tax: $15 Monopoly fee 56 Derriere 57 Coeur d’Alene-to-Sun Valley dir.

58 Cabbage source?

59 Palindromic tat

Get the solutions at statenews.com/puzzles Level: 1

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Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO WEDNESDAY’S PUZZLE

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The State N e ws

Thursday, Janua ry 1 5, 2 01 5

East Lansing resident and Menna’s Joint manager Isaac Sprague prepares an order of the Master Dub sandwich for a customer Wednesday at Menna’s Joint, 115 Albert Ave. in East Lansing. PHOTO: EMILY NAGLE

But it’s not just the students who are looking forward to lingering academics and an increased social life — businesses are, too. Aware that students have There is an odd dichotomy between the first week of flooded back to campus, businesses look to regain the semester and the last. The latter consists of emp- attendance lost during winter break.

Menna’s Joint manager Eddie ty sidewalks along Grand River AveMontemayor understands the setnue and an overflow of students at “I tend to put most back a business can take on a colthe library, while the former resemlege campus. bles the antics of a weekend as stuof my focus on “It happens every year where you dents attempt to reconnect socially social activities. get 30,000 people leaving town, with little academic worry.

The first week you’ll have a dip,” Montemayor said.

Yes, it’s syllabus week.

In expectation of the return of This week acts as a slow transiback from the long students, Menna’s Joint got rid of tion for students. Instead of rushbreak is less about their skeleton crew and began to ing back to the intense university school and more increase the number of employees atmosphere, syllabus week allows about reconnecting during shifts. In addition, the busistudents the time to organize and ness created a number of promotions prepare for the upcoming semester. with friends.” and specials.

When asked about his plans for “We started unveiling daily specials this week, supply chain manageDerek Ince during break and are now trying to ment junior Derek Ince said he wasn’t supply chain hype up Wednesday through Friday too concerned about academics, as management junior sales,” Montemayor said. professors tend not to treat the first Similarly preparing for the return week of classes like the rest. of students is Harper’s Restaurant “Because it’s syllabus week and most of my classes are cut short, I tend to put most and Brewpub.

After having a slight decrease in attendance over of my focus on social activities,” Ince said. “The first week back from the long break is less about school winter break they expect to get back to their usual turnout. and more about reconnecting with friends.”

“Welcome week we always staff more because we While students still attend their classes, they are presented with excess free time devoid of homework. are expecting a lot more people,” General Manager Public policy junior Diop Harris believes syllabus Casey Comstock said. “We are currently hiring and week allows students the opportunity to get back into did some hiring during the break as well.”

With students moving into the residence halls, Comthe swing of things.

“It is all about getting back into the groove of the stock expects a number of parents to stop by for a bite, semester … getting that feeling back and trying to along with students coming to celebrate an anticipated return later in the night. improve on last semester,” Harris said.

By Austin Koltonowski

akoltonowski@statenews.com

Features

Casey Holland Features editor features@statenews.com @sn_features

Affordable ways to be warm but stylish in a Michigan winter

By Rachel Fradette rfradette@statenews.com

The bitter winter weather has been in the negatives on its worst days. To keep students warm, it calls for the most durable outfits to fight the cold as they trudge to and from class.

But with college students whose lives are centered around a budget, the rising prices for quality gear such as coats, sweaters and accessories has too often crippled students’ bank accounts.

Several local stores have found a way to lower prices and keep students and East Lansing residents warm throughout the winter.

Campus Corner 501 E. Grand River Avenue Campus Corner is well-known in the city for its apparel centered around Spartan pride. Layer up and stay warm with clothing sporting the MSU Spartan logo. Shivering shoppers can pick up two long sleeve t-shirts for a total of $20.

The price of hooded sweatshirts has been lowered to about $18. Crewneck sweatshirts have been lowered to $12.

Shoppers can also pick up a pair of gloves, either black or Spartan green, for about $9.

East Lansing Threads 225 E. Grand River Avenue East Lansing Threads is lowering their prices for the winter season as well. Winter wear including coats, jackets, vests, scarves and select sweaters are all marked down.

Specific well-made sweaters of

unique design have prices lowered to near or below $50. Shoppers can pick up anything on the color spectrum from blues to yellows. Many of the colorful sweaters end below the waist and are made of soft knits and wools.

“We get students looking for better quality,” said store clerk Corey Quinn.

Other clothing options have a Greek life appeal to them and many of the T-shirts and hats include slogans or symbols from fraternities and sororities.

The store has an inventory from clothing companies such as Southern Marsh and Splendid.

Engineering sophomore Nadaly Marchi poses for a portrait Wednesday, as she models winter gear from local businesses on Grand River Avenue in East Lansing.

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PHOTO: KENNEDY THATCH

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La Bodega 619 E. Grand River Avenue La Bodega is a family-owned business centered around fair trade items that will definitely give a great deal. La Bodega manager Kayla Holcomb said the campus-oriented shop enjoys having students browse through the items in their store.

Holcomb said the store is selling their wool hats for lowered price. The hats were made in Nepal and are spread across a table in the store. While they are normally priced at about $15, the hats have all been marked down to create room so they can select new styles for next year.

Infinity scarves are also available at the store and can be purchased for about $15.

“We are very dependent on student business,” Holcomb said. “We get really excited when students come back from break. It’s definitely more upbeat.”

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Gloves $9 at Campus Corner

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Sweatshirt $18 at Campus Corner

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Hat $5 at La Bodega

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Infinity Scarf $15 at La Bodega

MSU professor Stephanie Amada publishes book about college ‘hookup culture’

By Lauren Owings lowings@statenews.com

One Friday afternoon, writing, rhetoric and American cultures professor Stephanie Amada was making a to-do list. Suddenly she found herself listing, “write a book for college students about hookup culture.”

Scholar and author Donna Freitas defines hookup culture as “a lifestyle of unemotional, unattached sex.” Amada, inspired by her WRA 140 students, decided to explore this culture in her book “Hooking Up: A Sexy Encounter with Choice.”

Amada’s book gives students the chance to make decisions about hook-

ing up without the pressure that comes with the culture on a college campus.

Amada said it mostly was written for college women, though it’s not meant to lecture them.

“It’s less of a ‘this is what hookup culture is’ book and more of a ‘how to think about hookup culture’ book,” Amada said. “It’s almost like a guide.

You can stop and think about these things and you can make the decision that’s right for you.”

She said one of her goals when teaching is to get students thinking about hookup culture, because it is easy for students to get caught up in their surroundings and see them as a reality for the rest of the world.

“(Students) felt pressured to do things they didn’t want to, so in a lot of ways it (the book) was a response to hearing that,” Amada said.

Before helping Amada with the publishing process, professional writing senior Lauren Link said she had no idea people thought about the culture in such a way.

“I thought it was just kind of mainstream and not talked about,” Link said.

Link said the book makes hooking up less of an awkward conversation by vocalizing it.

Journalism junior Jack Nissen, who attended Amada’s WRA class, said it was interesting to hear the opinions of the many women in the class per-

taining to hookup culture.

“Her teaching style wasn’t trying to tell us what was right or wrong, she was trying to provide clarity for anyone who had either been intertwined with that kind of culture or maybe was interested in trying to delve into it,” Nissen said.

English senior Brooklyn Pluger helped Amada by interviewing MSU students about hookup culture for the book.

Pluger said the questions addressed the relevance of the culture and students’ willingness to partake. She said many freshman said no to both questions, while older students tended to give the opposite answers.

“I wished I had read it as a freshman

T h u r s day, Jan uary 1 5, 2 01 5

instead of as a junior,” Pluger said. “By the time I read it it all made sense, it wasn’t really a learning experience. It was more of reiterating what I already knew and making me realize what I wanted in a relationship.”

Amada said part of her inspiration was being able to see herself in her students. She said she remembers what it was like to be a college student on the social scene, and that she wishes she would have had someone to talk to.

“What I hope women can take away from it is ... that they have a choice ... and it really is okay for that to be an individual choice and to feel confident enough in that individual choice to stick to it,” Amada said.

Th e Stat e N e ws

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Sports

Tom Izzo excited to start semester, resume normal practice schedule Izzo said the usual two-a-day practice schedule was almost impossible with the long break and game schedule. He said the normal schedule will help his team improve their toughness, and that he is not panicking about two losses over break

By John Neidhart jneidhart@statenews.com

While students across campus may be slow to welcome the start of spring semester, Tom Izzo is looking forward to it.

“I think getting back focused in, getting in a routine, this was the longest period of time we’ve ever had off since I’ve been at Michigan State, a month,” Izzo said. “I’m calling the president hoping that changes because I think that’s too long to be practicing and out of school.”

It was an exhausting break for MSU (12-5 overall, 3-1 Big Ten), one that was marked by a stunning upset loss to Texas Southern and like last season, health concerns across the team.

Senior forward Branden Dawson sustained a wrist injury in a Dec. 17 game against Eastern Michigan. Dawson missed two games with the injury, the first of which was the loss to Texas Southern, before returning for MSU’s Big Ten opener against Maryland.

Freshman forward Javon Bess has battled injuries the entire season, and he missed the team’s first ten games with a broken bone in his foot.

Senior guard Travis Trice was sick in MSU’s win over Indiana on Jan. 5, and most recently, junior forwards Denzel Valentine and Matt Costello have Izzo concerned about their health.

With players out due to injury and sickness, it has been hard for Izzo to practice his players the way he wants. The team has not made some of the strides it hoped to over such a long winter break.

“We have been so average as far as the two-a-days and all that stuff that you normally get to do,” Izzo said. “Everybody asks me how good we’re gonna be after Christmas and we just couldn’t do any of them. We didn’t do any of them.”

Some have questioned MSU’s toughness, and after 17 games, the Spartans are still trying to establish themselves as a typical MSU team. Izzo understands the adversity that injuries and health concerns have caused, but “sooner or later you gotta reach down and get something out of it,” he said of his players.

“We’ll get tougher, I’m not worried about that,” Izzo said. “I’m gonna change that with our lineup right off the bat and, I’m gonna change it with how we practice. It’s been a miserable Christmas for me because we didn’t do any of the things we’ve done for 19 years and it was nobody’s fault, but we didn’t.”

Practices haven’t been as extensive or grinding, and Izzo said that he hasn’t asked his players to do as much. He has, however, been pleased with his team’s energy and focus at practice, and even “loved” the way his squad prepared in the two days prior to Sunday’s win over Northwestern.

As frustrating as the year has been at times, Izzo remains optimistic.

“First of all, we’re only at the halfway point,” Izzo said. “Second of all, I’ve tried to be honest with you about what we’re getting out of this team and how we’ve been able to practice and who we’ve been able to put in. So I’m not panicking at all.

I still think we have a chance to be probably better than I thought.”

MSU hockey heads to Happy Valley

By Jonathon Chun jchun@statenews.com

The Spartans head to State College this weekend to face the 10-7-2 Nittany Lions who are only in their second season of competition, kicking off the heart of the Big Ten schedule

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The State N e ws

Head coach Tom Izzo adjusts his suit jacket after a Spartan dunk Jan. 5, during the game against Indiana at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Hoosiers, 70-50. photo: erin hampton

After a 17-day stretch without a regular season game, MSU hockey (7-10-1 overall, 1-2-1-1 Big Ten) will return to Big Ten action this weekend. The Spartans will travel to Penn State (10-7-2 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) to take on the Nittany Lions in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. “[PSU] is a team with a high compete level,” senior forward Brent Darnell said.

“They’ve got a lot of confidence, they’re really good at home and it’s a fun place to play. I think it’ll be a good challenge for us to see where we are.”

Coming off a 4-1 exhibition win over the U.S. National Development Program last Friday, the Spartans continue to look for more offense as they head into the heart of their Big Ten schedule. MSU is 6-1-1 this season when scoring three or more goals, and 45-6-5 under head coach Tom Anastos.

“We’ve got to continue to work offensively to create more and more dangerous scoring chances,” Anastos said. “They’re a team that plays hard regardless of the

Thursday, Janua ry 1 5, 2 01 5

score … [PSU] is one of these teams that really shrinks the ice and makes it difficult to create offense.”

This being only the second year that the Nittany Lions have returned as a varsity program, it would be easy to assume there would be some growing pains. Anastos, however, knew that PSU had the right man leading them into a new chapter of its program.

“I think a lot of their coach, Guy Gadowsky. He’s done it before at other places he’s been to,” Anastos said. “I’m not surprised that they’re very competitive. We know we can go out there and have lots of success. We also know we can go out there and get beat because they have put themselves into the mix.

“They’re going to go into the heart of the Big Ten Schedule now too where they’re playing Big Ten teams week-in and weekout, and for all of our teams that’s going to present a challenge.”

Sophomore forward Joe Cox always had an inclination that PSU would shine at this level, but maybe not this early.

“I always thought that give them three-

to-five years, and they were going to be a top-20 team,” Cox said. “It’s kind of hard to get started off, but I think now, obviously they’re a really good team.

“They’re actually a really hard-working team. They’re definitely skilled too, but one thing that we’re just going to have to be ready is for the intensity that they bring and the hard work that they bring. We’ve got to match it and even exceed it,” he said.

The Spartans were successful in doing that last year, as they came away with 11-of-12 possible points in the 2013-2014 series by going 3-0-1. That included regulation and shootout victories at PSU’s Pegula Ice Arena.

“Last year when we were there, I didn’t think we played particularly well,” Anastos said. “And yet we got out of there with five of the six points, so I don’t want to complain because that’s a hard place to get points.”

Friday’s game will be played at 7 p.m., while Saturday’s is a late afternoon start at 5 p.m. The latter of the two can be seen on ESPNU with the play-by-play being done

by ESPN’s John Buccigross.

Geoff Preston Sports editor sports@statenews.com @thesnews_sports

MSU top 5 in AP poll two consecutive seasons

By Zach Libby

Final AP Top 25 Poll

zlibby@statenews.com

For the first time since 1965-66, MSU has finished in the top five in the final Associated Press poll in consecutive seasons.

After coming away with a miraculous comeback victory over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day, the Spartans (11-2) are now tied for fifth in the rankings with Florida State (13-1), who were ousted in the college football playoff semifinals by Oregon (13-2).

MSU finished as the third highest ranked program following their win over Stanford in the Rose Bowl last year.

Ohio State (14-1), who came away with their first national championship since 2002, comes in ranked No. 1 in the country, followed by Oregon(13-2), TCU (12-1) and Alabama (12-2).

Baylor, the Big 12 co-conference champions with the Horned Frogs, winds up at No. 7 behind MSU and the Seminoles, followed by Georgia Tech, Georgia and UCLA.

1. Ohio State 14-1 2. Oregon 13-2 3. TCU 12-1 4. Alabama 12-2 5. (tie) Florida State 13-1 5. (tie) Michigan State 11-2 7. Baylor 11-2 8. Georgia Tech 11-3 9. Georgia 10-3 10. UCLA 10-3 11. Mississippi State 10-3 12. Arizona State 10-3 13. Wisconsin 11-3 14. Missouri 11-3 15. Clemson 10-3 16. Boise State 12-2 17. Mississippi 9-4 18. Kansas State 9-4 19. Arizona 10-4 20. Southern Cal 9-4 21. Utah 9-4 22. Auburn 8-5 23. Marshall 13-1 24. Louisville 9-4 25. Memphis 10-3

Junior quarterback Connor Cook looks to pass the ball Jan. 1 during The Cotton Bowl Classic football game against Baylor at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. photo: erin hampton

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Employment

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The JNL Child Development Center in Okemos is looking for both full and part time support staff to work with children from 6 weeks through 5 years old.

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WINTER LEASE. Males seeking roommate. 1 bdrm in duplex. Near Hagadorn + GR area. Call Rick 586.306.3198

HIRING SERVERS and cooks at Reno’s East Sports Bar. Apply in person, 1310 Abbot Road.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS. $15.50 base-appt. Flex sched. around classes. Great resume builder. 517-3331700. workforstudents.com LOCAL FIRM seeks snow plow operators. Mostly overnight hours. Wage based on experience. 517663-2040

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T h u rs day, January 1 5, 2 01 5

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Th e Stat e N e ws

11

Sports

Facetime with football recruit Tyriq Thompson The Detroit King senior was the highest-rated linebacking recruit from the state of Michigan and signed with the Spartans in August. He spoke with The State News about what he looks forward to as a student athlete at MSU by zach libby zlibby@statenews.com

Less than a month ago, Tyriq Thompson was seen walking through the halls of Detroit’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School, sporting a gold and black varsity jacket while dreaming about the next opportunity that awaits.

Four years of sacrificing his summer breaks for hours of practicing and conditioning and four years of running out of the tunnel every Friday night has led to Thompson receiving the chance to further prove himself as a student athlete at MSU. A three-star linebacker out of one of the most dominating pow-

erhouses from the Pubic School League, Thompson is set to be the only commit in the 2015 class to enroll in classes in January in order to get a jump start in preparations for next season.

The highest-rated linebacking recruit from the state of Michigan, according to 24/7 Sports, he joins fellow linebacker Chris Frey and tight end Matt Sokol as the only football players for the Spartans to enroll early in the past year.

“An outstanding player, comes from an outstanding program.

Very quick, very explosive, very intelligent,” Dantonio told Spartan Digest this past October.

“With the opportunity for him to come here mid-year will give

us an indication that all indications are he would be able to play as a true freshman.”

Making it as far as the semifinals in the Division 2 playoffs as a junior, Thompson’s high school career came to a disappointing finish last season when the Crusaders were ousted from the pre-district round by Southfield.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder also held offers from Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Pittsburgh and Northwestern before committing to the Spartans back in August.

On how playing for King helped him prepare for MSU: The coaching. At King our coaches got us prepared to play and then just let the ball players

play ball. There weren’t five different keys you had to remember. If you see a window you go hit it. That’s kind of what I see with coach Dantonio. He gets the best players on the field and allows them to play.

On why spending four years at King was a memorable experience: It was an honor.

Especially to play on the same field as my father and many other greats from Detroit like Darnell Dickerson, Kevin Vickerson and Nick Perry. I’ve also had a chance to be coached by the best staff in the state. I have a lot of good memories at King.

On his initial impressions

of the program: There are extremely high expectations that the program has for itself and rightfully so. There is a goal that we’re trying to accomplish.

Everyone is focused on what they can do individually in order to help the team achieve that goal.

Height: 6’1 Weight: 220 High School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School 40 yard dash time: 4.7

On why enrolling early was the best decision: It gave me the best opportunity to get on the field as early as possible and contribute on the field. It also is putting me in a great position academically to graduate early.

On the recruiting process: They made it easy. No pressure, they just allowed me to see if this was what I really wanted.

And it was.

On the most exciting matchups next season: Every team, because they’ll be in the way of a national championship. But Oregon, Ohio State and Michigan in particular.

On what type of role he hopes to acquire next season: At the least the two or three deep and special teams. But I want to be able to compete for a (No.) 1 or 2 spot.

On meeting the other linebackers on the team: Only a few. They’re pretty cool. (We’re) still getting to know one another.

CAMPUS CALLED. IT WANTS ITS BACK. LEARN MORE ABOUT ON–CAMPUS HOUSING AT WWW.LIVEON.MSU.EDU

12

The State N e ws

Spring 2015 Tax Refund Room 307 Student Services Building Last Day for Refund: January 26th

Student ID Required Students who are registered as a full time student and paid The State News subscription fee for the current semester may receive a refund of that fee if they do not wish to support the student newspaper.

Refunds will be paid during the first 10 days of classes at 435 E. Grand River.

Proof of payment of the fee and a photo ID must be presented. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Thursday, Janua ry 1 5, 2 01 5