Thursday 1/18/18

President Simon,

For survivors and MSU to move on, you need to move on.

Editorial, Page 2 T HU R S DAY, JA N UA RY 18, 2 018

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Opinion

Rachel Fradette Editor-in-chief editorinchief@statenews.com

President Lou Anna K. Simon speaks at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 8, 2017, at Hannah Administration Building.

STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO

Editorial: Simon, enablers need to resign, so survivors can move on

BY THE STATE NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD FEEDBACK@STATENEWS.COM

If a house is on fire, you don’t stay inside. You call the fire department.

You put the fire out and then, after mourning the loss and reparations are made, you rebuild.

MSU, your house is on fire. It’s been on fire. Slowly, MSU is trying to put the fire out. But, once it’s out, there will be ugly remnants.

The MSU of old won’t resemble the MSU of new. As much as

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that has made little progress.

By all accounts, MSU did nothing, and continues to do nothing.

And the lack of transparency on anything related to Nassar is astounding.

It’s MSU’s job to be clear and honest with angry students, faculty, alumni and survivors, and no one at MSU can even admit they were wrong two years ago.

Can’t get in trouble if you don’t say anything, right? Wrong.

It’s too late, MSU. You’re not escaping this one.

In September 2016, we were shocked when just a few allegations came out against Nassar.

‘President Simon has to say something about this soon, right?’

We thought.

Simon’s first statement came five months later, February 2017.

Since then, we have learned just how widespread Nassar’s abuse spans.

Since then, there are more than 140 women and girls who have come forward.

He had influence in schools, churches, local gyms, Olympic and national gyms.

Who knows how many more are out there, still hurting too much to do the same?

If MSU had only listened to the women and girls from the beginning, things would The State News Editorial Board be different.

Dozens of women and girls would not Simon, if you’re the Spartan you claim to be, you will step have to stand in the courtroom, reopening old wounds as they detail their abuse in an effort to find justice. down and bow out gracefully.

It’s these women and girls, who survived avoidable trauma at We hope you make the right choice, because time’s up.

Now, to those who hide behind Simon, her cheerleaders and Nassar’s hand, who put a serial child molester behind bars— not anyone at MSU. appointees, the enablers, you aren’t excused from this story.

Some of the people who enabled Nassar to hurt so many womBy allowing this serial predator to practice on campus, each en and girls are still at MSU. and every one of you is just as guilty as Nassar.

They felt their job security or the university’s public image Every one of you was entrusted to instruct and protect chilwere more important than the physical safety and emotional dren and young adults. health of women and children.

Every one of you completely violated that trust.

All enablers at MSU need to resign.

Four years ago was the first official investigation of Nassar.

It’s the only step toward rebuilding the public’s trust. If MSU knew in 2014. MSU knew Nassar was victimizing womenablers continue to work at MSU, there will be little change. en and girls.

We know this because “policies” were instituted to prevent The cycle will run again and another sexual predator will ascend abuse from happening again. But those “policies” enacted were into the darkness that shrouds this university.

You can ignore this editorial, but like the women and girls not enforced.

And when Nassar was told to have a chaperone in the room sharing testimonies in court this week, we will persist.

In the words of Kyle Stephens, who was 6 years old when during treatments following the investigation, no steps were Nassar first began sexually abusing her, “Little girls don’t stay taken to make sure those rules were being followed.

Nassar abused women and girls under the eye of MSU up little forever. They grow into strong women that return to until September 2016, when IndyStar published a story reveal- destroy your world.”

That destruction is only beginning. ing Nassar’s abuse for the first time.

It was only then, under the pressure of the public eye, that The State News Editorial Board is made up of the Editor-inMSU fired Nassar.

But don’t think for a second MSU wasn’t involved. A monster Chief Rachel Fradette, Managing Editor McKenna Ross, Campus Editor Madison O’Connor, City Editor Souichi Terada, Features like Nassar doesn’t happen alone.

Look at the facts: members of MSU faculty, coaching staffs and Editor Sasha Zidar, Sports Editor Jonathan LeBlanc, Inclusion more knew about allegations against Nassar as early as 1997. An Representative Maxwell Evans, Staff Representative Marie Weidinvestigation didn’t happen until 2014, and MSU cleared him. mayer and Copy Chief Casey Holland.

And what did MSU provide for the survivors? Scripted apoloEditor-in-Chief Rachel Fradette and Campus Editor Madison gies, empty promises, a PR website and a $10 million fund for counseling services, a fund named after the Board of Trustees O’Connor did not sit in on this editorial.

people want to say that’s a bad thing, it isn’t.

The strongest this institution will ever be is during a period of new life.

There is only one way to build this new house, and the people who claim to love it need to understand that.

President Lou Anna K. Simon, we now speak directly to you.

Whether or not you admit guilt in this storyline, you need to do the right thing.

Survivors of ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse cannot move on without change. You “apologized” to them, you have thrown money at them, but about the only thing you haven’t done is listen.

“Simon, if you’re the Spartan you claim to be, you will step down and bow out gracefully. We hope you make the right choice, because time’s up.”

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1 8 , 2 01 8

Contents

McKenna Ross Managing editor mross@statenews.com

ONLINE AT STATENEWS.COM

Larry Nassar coverage

29 survivors speak on Day 1

As the ex-MSU doctor’s sentencing continues, check out all our coverage from the beginning.

Follow our continuing coverage of ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar’s Ingham County sentencing.

She and other members of the Board of Trustees previously said they decided against it.

“(I’m) just believing in myself, that I can guard anybody, and believing in my footwork because I’m faster than most forwards.”

BY T H E N U M B E R S

16

President Simon attends Day 2 of sentencing

Universities that E.L. resident James E. Cummings, Jr. visited to play horse See pages 4-5

Sidney Cooks, Freshman women’s basketball forward See page 6

Winter warnings and how to stay warm at MSU

BY KAITLYN KELLEY KKELLEY@STATENEWS.COM

Temperatures continue to drop, and being a student on MSU’s large campus can come with transportation struggles. Here are some tips on how to stay warm when traveling in the cold weather.

Take the cold weather seriously Although some students might be used to the unpredictable Michigan weather, it’s still important to take the cold seriously.

The MSU Cold Weather Safety Reminder urges students to limit their time outside and to avoid keeping skin exposed to the cold for more than five to 10 minutes because frostbite can begin to occur in cold temperatures within 10 to 15 minutes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some warning signs of frostbite are numbness, skin feeling firm and having white or grayish pigments to a skin area.

According to National Geographic, the human body is made to protect vital organs, like the heart and kidneys. This is why a person’s fingertips, toes, nose and earlobes get so cold in the

frigid weather, and also why people feel they need to urinate when cold.

Efficiently control the heating in your room According to the MSU Commissioning Services, all of the buildings on campus are heated. Heating works differently in every building.

The older buildings, like Snyder-Phillips and Shaw halls, use steam heat, while the newer buildings get heat through hot water.

William Lakos, the manager of central control at the Commissioning Services at MSU, said students should contact their residence hall if they have problems with heat in their rooms.

As for reducing the heat in students’ rooms when it gets too hot, Lakos said opening up a window should be the last resort.

“The first response would be make sure that you’re doing everything you can to reduce the temperature in the room before you open the windows,” he said.

Lakos said opening up the windows could result in wasting energy, so it is important to ensure students aren’t keeping their windows open when they leave the room for a long amount of time.

Gwen Anderson, accompanied by her former coach Thomas Brennan, tearfully addresses ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar during her impact statement on Jan. 17. “I want to my two boys and students to see me stand up for what is right,” Anderson said. PHOTO: SYLVIA JARRUS

VOL . 108 | NO. 16 CONTACT THE STATE NEWS (517) 295-1680

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Spotlight

RELIGIOUS Looking for new DIRECTORY challenges, E.L. Stay up to date at: www.statenews.com/religious

All Saints Episcopal Church 800 Abbot Rd. (517) 351-7160 Sun. Worship: 8am, 10am, & 5am Sunday School: 10am www.allsaints-el.org Chabad House of MSU 540 Elizabeth St. (517) 214-0525 Prayer Services: Friday night services followed by traditional Shabbat dinner @ Chabad. www.chabadmsu.com Eastminster Presbyterian Church 1315 Abbot Rd. (517) 337-0893 Classes for All Ages: 9:30am Sun. Worship: 10:30am www.eastminster church.org Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. (Meet @ University Christian Church) (517) 898-3600 Sun: 8:45am Worship, 10am Bible Class Wed: 1pm, Small group bible study www.greaterlansing coc.org Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St. (517) 332-1916 Services: Friday night 6pm, dinner @ 7, September–April www.msuhillel.org

The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd. (517) 351-4309 Friday Services: 12:15-12:45 & 1:45-2:15 For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/ Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. (517) 332-0778 Sun: 9:30am & 7pm Wed: 9pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) www.martinluther chapel.org The People’s Church, multidenominational 200 W Grand River Ave. (517) 332-6074 Sunday Service: 10:30am with free lunch for students following worship.

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St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C Ave. (517) 337-9778 Sun: 8am, 10am, Noon, 5pm, 7pm M,W,F: 12:15pm T & Th: 9:15pm www.stjohnmsu.org University Baptist Church 4608 Hagadorn Rd. (517) 351-4144 uinbapt@gmail.com www.baptistel.org Main Service: Sun, 10am University United Methodist Church & MSU Wesley 1120 S. Harrison Rd. (517) 351-7030 Sun: 10:30am Thurs: 8:00pm September–April www.universitychurch home.org WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbot Rd. (517) 580-3744 Sat: 6:30pm msu.edu/~welsluth

resident travels across country to shoot hoops

BY MICHAEL DUKE MDUKE@STATENEWS.COM

A survivor. A challenger. An inspiration.

All three of these words fittingly describe James E. Cummings Jr. Anyone who frequently visits the intramural gyms at MSU to play pick-up basketball knows Cummings, even if they think they don’t.

The 75-year-old East Lansing resident and MSU alumnus often makes trips to campus to take on challengers—who are young enough to be his grandchildren—in basketball.

Cummings isn’t picky when it comes to hoops.

Even at his advanced age, he won’t hesitate to engage in a physically-draining game of one-on-one, designed to test mental fortitude, or even to sprint up and down the hardwood with energetic youngsters in a full court game of 5-on-5.

But the game in particular Cummings enjoys playing the most is horse, a game he has mastered. The rules of the game are simple: if you make a shot, then your opponent must make the exact same type of shot. If they fail to do so, they receive a letter. Whoever collects the letters to spell out the word “horse” first loses.

While the rules of the game are simple,

A survivor

On Dec. 18, 2011, Cummings almost lost his life while doing what he loves most.

Cummings was in Gym 2 at IM-Sports West when his heart abruptly stopped beating following a game of pick-up basketball.

He suffered a heart attack on the court.

While being treated at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, it was discovered through a cardiatric catheterization procedure that Cummings had a major blockage of his left anterior descending artery, or LAD. The type of heart attack Cummings suffered is commonly referred to as the “Widowmaker” because of its low survival rate.

“He had one artery that was occluded and we ended up opening it up with a stent, subsequently his heart function returned back to normal,” said cardiologist at Sparrow Hospital Dr. Carlos Fernandez, who treated Cummings

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defeating Cummings is another story. Few have been able to top the 75-year-old this decade he’s been playing it. And along the way, Cummings has been able to touch the lives of his challengers, not only through playing the game of basketball, but through sharing his story.

A story of a man who was given a second chance at life.

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McKenna Ross Managing editor mross@statenews.com any and all challengers.

One of those challengers was English sophomore Cam Roulette, who received a humbling lesson from Cummings after he initially underestimated the 75-year-old.

“He started shooting this one-handed shot and I was like, ‘OK, this is going to be an easy game,’ then he beat me six games in a row,” Roulette said.

In fact, Cummings believed in his horse-playing capabilities so much he recently set out on an expedition to universities across the country to challenge the best horse players he could find.

“I wanted to play the very best horse basketball players around the country at various universities, and that’s where they would be found,” Cummings said.

Cummings visited the intramural g y ms of 16 schools in total, including several blue-blood basketball institutions, like IndiEast Lansing resident James E. Cummings, Jr., 75, shows off his ana University, Duke Unibasketball marked with his age, he uses to defeat any and all versity and the University of challengers in the childhood favorite game of horse on Jan. 12 North Carolina-Chapel Hill. at Jenison Field House. PHOTO: CJ WEISS T he always-motivated Cummings dominated his and helped enter him into the hospital’s car- opposition at these historic hooping grounds.

He won all 15 games of horse at Duke when diovascular rehabilitation program.

Cummings’ heart wasn’t Fernandez’s only he touched down at Cameron Indoor Arena concern. While Cummings has since made a in early October, and one day later and about full recovery, Fernandez initially worried the 10 miles down the road at North Carolina, the cardiac arrest he had suffered could have had challenger lost just one game out of 25.

Cummings’ basketball journey was made poslingering effects on another important organ.

“We were concerned with his brain function sible partially because of Rick McNeil, direcbecause we didn’t know how long he was down, tor of recreational sports at MSU, who wrote but apparently CPR had been started appro- the Spartan alumnus a cover letter to show his priately over at MSU, and that was probably intramural colleagues at the various universithe most beneficial thing to his life,” Fernan- ties Cummings would be visiting.

“Whenever he travels, I get a call and he typdez said.

Cummings’ competitive vigor for the sport ically brings back a letter, he writes up a letter wasn’t formed at MSU, however. Instead, the in hand about where he played,” McNeil said. passion for the game was instilled in him while “Occasionally, he brings me souvenirs. I’ve got he was growing up in the heart of America’s a coffee mug up on my mantle from Ole Miss and from Harvard.” automotive industry.

A school’s prestige or campus aura didn’t phase Cummings during his travels in the A challenger Cummings said he was by no means a basket- slightest. He was motivated to take on the best ball prodigy—which might come as a surprise on the hardwood.

And when he stepped foot onto Harvard’s to those who have played him in horse during campus, he did just that. the last decade.

One would think a student at the universi“I was not what you would call a proficient shooter or a very accurate shooter,” Cummings ty would be the type of challenger to make said. “I was like most youngsters at the time, Cummings sweat. But instead, Cummings met I was just trying to do the best I could, trying his match in the form of a middle-aged Irish to put the ball through the hoop with not very man named Murphy, who carried the self-proclaimed title, “king of horse.” much success.”

“He said, ‘Don’t call me Murphy, call me Cummings learned the fundamentals of the sport at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Murph,”’ Cummings said. “We played a long, where he played one semester of basketball epic game of horse.”

Cummings said Murph was determined to under the tutelage of Hall of Fame coach Will send him back to MSU a loser, something not Robinson.

“The fundamentals were very important with many can say they have successfully done.

Cummings, however, was determined to not Coach Robinson,” Cummings said. “He drilled let that happen. the fundamentals into you,.”

“I was wearing my Michigan State University Robinson’s teachings stuck with Cummings even long after he took an elongated hiatus green and whites, and they said, ‘James E. Cumfrom playing basketball—a hiatus that spanned mings Jr., you’re mighty brave to come in here four decades. When Cummings made his way with your Michigan State University gear on,”’ back to the hardwood at MSU in 2005, the then- Cummings said. “I said, ‘I’m a Spartan, that’s what we’re about, because we have no fear.”’

62-year-old made a shocking revelation.

Cummings ended up snatching Murph’s pres“I had a basketball in my hand. I started taking a few shots in the gym and then the shots tigious title by the time the battle had concludstarted falling through the hoop,” Cummings ed. But for Cummings, the joy he felt throughsaid. “I marveled at my proficiency at mak- out his basketball-filled field trip didn’t come ing the baskets after not being a shooter in solely from racking up wins on the court.

The game of horse allowed the MSU alummy early life.”

From that point on for Cummings, the ball nus to connect with people who he shared few continued to fall through the hoop, against similarities with.

East Lansing resident and MSU alumnus James E. Cummings, Jr. poses for a photo with a competitor while at Duke University in 2017. He traveled to 16 universities in the U.S. to play basketball at their interamural facilities. PHOTO COURTESY: JAMES E. CUMMINGS, JR.

“The enjoyment is not just all in the winning games, it’s in meeting the people and sharing life experiences with them,” Cummings said.

An inspiration Eastern Michigan University junior Balaal Hollings shares something in common with 75-year-old Cummings.

It’s arguably one of the reasons why they seamlessly clicked upon meeting on the basketball court.

On April 6, 2013, Hollings—once a highly-touted football recruit out of Detroit’s Northwestern High School—was shot in the head at a house party.

More than four years later on Nov. 20, 2017, at the recreational gyms of Eastern Michigan University, Hollings became the latest to challenge Cummings in a game of horse. The former football stand-out, and like many challengers before him, scoffed at Cummings at first glance. But Hollings soon realized not to judge a book by its cover.

Hollings admitted he was vastly outmatched in the one-on-one contest.

“It wasn’t close,” Hollings said. “When he shot the ball, every time it was off the glass he said, ‘Bank shot.’ I think he only missed one shot the entire game.”

Aside from competing against one another on the basketball court, Hollings and Cummings were able to spark a connection because of a common bond—they both overcame life-threatening incidents.

“I’ll go ahead and use the mission statement from the business that I own: No matter who you are or where you’re from, you can do anything you put your mind to even with a bullet in your brain,” Hollings said laughing. “On his account, it’s anything you put your mind to even if you’re over 65, he’s a bad man.”

Cummings said there’s no expiration date for his basketball playing days. For those looking for inspiration from the energetic 75-year-old, he has a simple message: “If I can do it, you can do it.”

The LeFrak Forum and

Symposium on Science, Reason & Modern Democracy in the

Department of Political Science in association with the

Reason Foundation present a lecture

“Immigration: Keeping the Welfare State Solvent in the Face of Demographic Collapse”

Jack Goldstone George Mason University

Jack Goldstone is the Virginia E. and John T. Hazel Professor of Public Policy.

Monday, January 22, 7:00 p.m. | Kellogg Center, Lincoln Room The LeFrak Forum and Symposium on Science, Reason & Modern Democracy are supported, in part, by a challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information see, www.lefrakforum.msu.edu

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Sports

Jonathan LeBlanc Sports editor sports@statenews.com

Freshman Cooks growing into role as go-to scorer

BY JOSHUA CHUNG JCHUNG@STATENEWS.COM

ACROSS

1 Like dorms for both men and women 5 Military sch.

9 Fall in folds 14 Chomp 15 Swimmer’s path 16 More cold and wet, weatherwise 17 Serb or Croat 18 “Liberal” pursuits 19 Can’t stop loving 20 Three Stooges movie, e.g.

23 Michigan or Mead 24 Update from a pilot, for short 25 Induction cooktop alternative 33 Double-reed woodwinds 34 “What did you say?”

35 Key with one sharp: Abbr.

36 Light brown 37 Driver’s license test 41 Post-OR area 42 Three-pronged Greek letters 44 Buffet table coffee server 45 River mammal 47 Fluffy dessert 51 Eisenhower’s nickname

52 Hip ‘60s Brits 53 Eco-friendly request ... and a hint to sorting out the aptly circled letters 59 Vonnegut literary device 60 Enterprise captain born 3/22/2233 61 Puts on TV 63 Low card 64 Lawn border 65 Finger or toe part 66 Chose (to) 67 Evidence of ownership 68 Community org. known by its first letter

DOWN

1 “Kevin Can Wait” network 2 Lubricates 3 Bibliography list shortener: Abbr.

4 Reduce monetarily 5 Denali National Park state 6 Price-fixing syndicate 7 Against 8 Fam. tree member 9 NFL player selection events 10 Give off 11 GI on the run

12 Curly salon job 13 Before, in verse 21 Analyze grammatically 22 One-named “We R Who We R” singer 25 Offensive to some, for short 26 Embarrass 27 “Pagliacci” clown 28 Treaty of __: War of 1812 ender 29 “La Cage __ Folles” 30 Fails to include 31 Bad habits 32 Accustom (to) 38 Winter holidays 39 __ of Good Feelings 40 In a funk 43 Bill Nye’s field 46 Florence’s region 48 Approved 49 Come to light 50 Made fun of 53 Practice for the GMAT, e.g.

54 Ill-mannered sort 55 Struggled to make, with “out” 56 Taxi trip 57 Neeson of “Kinsey” 58 Idle of Monty Python 59 Wedding vow words 62 Patty Hearst’s abductors: Abbr.

Level: 1

2

3

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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

Freshman forward Sidney Cooks has quickly emerged as one of MSU’s go-to players this season, despite being so young, with little experience and part of a team loaded with upperclassmen.

This season, Cooks averages more than 11 points per game and five rebounds per game while helping lead the Spartans to a 14-5 overall season record so far.

Cooks was named the Associated Press’ girls basketball player of the year in Wisconsin after a stellar senior year performance averaging approximately 28 points, 14 rebounds and three assists per game.

The former five-star recruit was a McDonald’s All-American and finished her career at St. Joseph Catholic High School with 1,909 total points.

Cooks said both the physical and mental aspects of college basketball are definite changes from high school hoops.

“The strength, the speed and just being mentally prepared for everything has definitely been the biggest difference, because coming in I knew the physical side was going to be a change,” Cooks said. “However, mentally I believe I am really strong so learning a ton of plays, different positions and strategies was really important coming in because I know memorizing a lot of plays is really important for college ball.”

Cooks said she took playing college hoops seriously as soon as she arrived in East Lansing, because it helped her adjust quickly to playing with a different environment. “(I’m) just believing in myself, that I can guard anybody, and believing in my footwork because I’m faster than most forwards,” Cooks said.

Many seniors have helped to mentor Cooks and helped her adjust to not only playing college basketball, but also, to life off the court.

“This team, we are a big family, we are all sisters,” Cooks said. “We might get mad at each other sometimes, but I know we can all get along at any time.”

Head coach Suzy Merchant said she trusts Cooks to be a starter on this team and sometimes take the final shot in certain situations.

she was going to be great for the team offensively and defensively.

The team needed that because they lost players with those skills in the past, and Cooks was a great in the transition from high school to college, redshirt senior guard Branndais Agee said.

“Freshman year is always the toughest because you are trying to get a feel for the game, the toughness of the game, and I feel our conference is very physical and it’s filled with a lot of big players,” Agee said. “I always try to “I love her confidence, and she is aggressive. remind her that it is OK and do She is coming out and bringing it every not let the mental stress get in night, which is an amazing quality in any your mind or let the physical type of player, but certainly a freshman.” stress get to you.”

Agee said Cooks’ transition Suzy Merchant from high school to college has Women’s basketball head coach been impressive and she just needs to keep getting stronger, “I love her confidence, and she is aggressive,” Mer- both mentally and physically.

“I’m still getting used to this system, ... and I still feel chant said in a press release earlier this season after a win over Rhode Island. “She is coming out and bring- like I haven’t shown my full game yet,” Cooks said. “With ing it every night, which is an amazing quality in any all the new players we get, this team will be super flexible and I’ll be able to showcase more things and help type of player, but certainly a freshman.”

Her teammates knew when Cooks came on board that lead this team to as far as I can.”

SOLUTION TO MONDAY’S PUZZLE

Get the solutions at statenews. com/ puzzles

11/28/17

© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Freshman forward Sidney Cooks (1) warms up before the game against Oakland on Nov. 13, 2017, at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Grizzlies, 95-63.

PHOTO: ANNTANINNA BIONDO

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ASMSU fall 2017 semester report Safe Ride

BY MILA MURRAY MMURRAY@STATENEWS.COM

T

he Associated Students of Michigan State University, or ASMSU, published the 2017 Fall Report, providing a detailed overview of the budget, services and new programs the organization brought to the university as well as goals for the upcoming semester.

Here are some of the key points from the report.

The general fund

ASMSU’s starting general fund balance was $80,010.90 to allocate to specific initiatives or put back into the fund.

Forty-two percent of the general fund, $33,500.00, was allocated and the ending balance was $46,510.90.

The final total reflects the total monetary amount of bills passed through the General Assembly in the fall of 2017.

ASMSU services

In the fall of 2017, the organization provided 1,230 iClickers to students and purchased 28 more for the spring semester.

Fifty-two graphing calculators were ordered for the upcoming semester as well, and 59 were checked out last semester.

ASMSU also gave $34,450 in loans to students through its ASMSU Loan Program and printed 6,676 pages through its Print/Copy Service.

Along with those services, 7,350 blue books were given out last semester.

Additionally, 1,013 students received help and advice through the Student Legal Services and 25 cases were opened through the Student Rights Advocates.

Of these cases, 11 received hearings.

Lastly, 4,100 Red Cedar Log yearbooks were distributed out of the 7,000 printed.

After presenting the Safe Ride initiative about one year ago, the program officially launched Sept. 4, 2017.

There will be a vote for the Safe Ride program tax this spring.

As of last semester, Safe Ride has given 3,000 rides to more than 4,500 passengers and most rides are completed from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a median wait time of approximately 15 minutes.

ASMSU hopes to increase Safe Ride customer service, continue to work with TransLoc—the software used for the application—and prepare for the tax vote this spring.

Sustainability initiatives

Last semester, the Governmental Affairs office worked on sustainability efforts by advocating for more efficient recycling opportunities in places like apartments, working on an initiative that resulted in the recycling of more than 6,000 plastic bags and limiting on-campus plastic bag usage.

These efforts will carry over into the next semester.

Internal administration

ASMSU appointed 11 representatives from the colleges of Business, Agriculture and Natural

SAFE RIDE

$46,510.90

$80,010.90

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End of Fall 2017

ASMSU SERVICES Fall Semester

1,230 rented

59 checked-out

Graphic: Lauren Gewirtz

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Student Rights Advocates

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Loan Program

From left to right, Vice President for Academic Affairs Ewurama Appiagyei-Dankah, Vice President for Student Allocations Stephen Brown, Vice President for Finance and Operations Dan Iancio, President Lorenzo Santavicca and Vice President for Internal Administration Katherine Rifiotis clap during an ASMSU meeting on Aug. 27, 2017, at Student Services.

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2 cars Sunday–Wednesday 3 cars Thursday–Saturday

Graphing Calculators

The Student Allocations Board funded 42 Registered Student Organizations, or RSOs, allocating $112,259 for these groups, programs and student activities .

Ten startup groups were approved for $300 grants and $120,479.29 went toward the funding of 12 activity department events and projects put on by the CORES and COPs groups.

The fall semester of 2017 was the first time ASMSU’s Academic Affairs department and Students Rights Advocates hosted an Academic Know Your Rights Night.

This event aimed to inform students about their rights and responsibilities at the university, academic misconduct and the Code of Teaching Responsibility.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Ewurama Appiagyei-Dankah hopes to increase the program’s attendance in the future and hold multiple sessions throughout the semester.

7 days a week 10 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.

iClickers

Student allocations

Know Your Rights Night

GENERAL FUND

Start of Fall 2017

Resources, Music, No Preference, Communication Arts and Sciences, Arts and Letters and Veterinary Medicine in the first round which went from Aug. 28 to Sept. 21, 2017, and five representatives in the second from the colleges of Natural Sciences, Nursing, Communication Arts and Sciences and Arts and Letters.

ASMSU also expanded its mentorship program with participation from more than 70 members.

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Employment

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STATE N E WS .CO M

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Ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar prepares to leave the courtroom for a short break during the sentencing hearing on Jan. 17, at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing.

The

Former MSU softball athlete Tiffany Thomas Lopez takes a moment during her impact statement on Jan. 17 at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing.

Nassar Case PHOTOS BY SYLVIA JARRUS

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Jan. 16 marked the first day of ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sentencing in Ingham County court. The sentencing was scheduled to continue throughout that week as more than 100 women were scheduled to provide victim impact statements to the court.

Nassar pleaded guilty to seven charges of criminal sexual conduct of the first degree. Nassar has already been sentenced in to 60 years in prison for three charges related to child pornography.

He has also pleaded guilty to three charges of first degree criminal sexual conduct in Eaton County, with a sentencing scheduled for Jan. 31.

The sentencing could spill over into a second week, but that is subject to the number of victims who decide to provide statements in court.

Amanda Thomashow addresses Nassar directly during her victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing on Jan. 17 at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing. Thomashow had reported Nassar’s abusive behavior to MSU, and said their investigation was “brief and sloppy.”

Jeanette Antolin wipes her eyes during her emotional statement on Jan. 17 at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing.

1997

was the earliest trace of Nassar’s abuse at MSU

101

women scheduled to speak in court throughout his sentencing

125 Jenelle Moul, right, reads her statement during the sentencing hearing on Jan. 17 at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing. Moul said Nassar was the second abuser she encountered in her gymnastic career.

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THE STATE N E WS

Gina Nichols, mother of gymnast Maggie Nichols gestures to the court, citing the responsibility MSU and USA Gymnastics hold for allowing Nassar’s behavior to continue on Jan. 17 at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1 8 , 2 01 8

the maximum number of years the attorney general’s office recommended.

It is equivalent to one year for each woman who filed a police report.

Source: State News reports