Monday 1/25/16

State News The

THE “GOOD GUY”

On and off the court, senior forward Matt Costello is as reliable as it gets.

Senior forward Matt Costello and senior guard Bryn Forbes share a moment during the game against Maryland 0n Jan. 23, 2016 at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Terrapins, 74-65.

— PAGES 4 AND 5

PHOTO: SUNDEEP DHANJAL

AC T I V I S M

CLASSES

Protest before Maryland game National Student Activist Party protests for racial equality — PAGE 3 M ON DAY, JA N UA RY 2 5, 2 016

@THESNEWS

“Right now we’ve got the facility, we’ve got the tools, we’ve got the basic course working. Now we’re looking to get more students interested.”

Layne Cameron, MSU volunteer bike shop coordinator — PAGE 7

STAT ENEWS .COM

RESEARCH

MSU professor known for bird descriptions

Pamela Rasmussen, professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at MSU, is tied for the third highest number of bird descriptions by one person in the last 50 years. — PAGE 10

2

THE STATE N E WS

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

Contents INSIDE

Karate Club provides space for students to learn Koreanstyle martial art

Missed GameDay Saturday?

Check out our photo spread

Elevated lead levels found in faucet in Glencairn Elementary

PAGE 11

PAGE 9

PAGE 6

BY T H E N U M B E R S

36

“The Come Out is supposed to bring the community together, whether you’re a queer or an ally. It’s supposed to bring a greater understanding of how difficult it is to come out.”

The amount of roles in the MSU Department of Theatre’s production “And Away We Go.” See page 10

Alysa Hodgson, ASMSU chairperson on the LGBT event The Come Out See page 7

National Student Activist Party demonstrates for racial equality before men’s basketball game on Saturday

BY JOSH BENDER JBENDER@STATENEWS.COM

Students from the National Student Activist Party affiliated Liberate MSU movement protested at the MSU vs. Maryland men’s basketball game.

The protest centered around Liberate MSU’s list of demands previously presented to the MSU administration. The protest was more general in focus.

“We are just protesting for racial equality and advocating for the rights of students that go here,” said National Student Activist Party secretary and criminal justice junior Parris Jones.

The protest was peaceful in nature and relations between police and protesters remained calm throughout.

“We know that, since we are protesting, we will get shut down eventually so it’s not like we lash out at the police,” Jones said. “It’s not a hateful relationship, we work with one another.”

Many of the protesters demands centered around further university investment on racial education.

Demands included MSU allocating a minimum of $7 million annually to establish departments of Chicano and Latino as well as African and Afri-

can American Studies.

“This is a very diverse campus and students should be able to learn about different races, and we only have a few classes that can offer them that,” said National Student Activist Party programming director and biochemistry junior Tecoria Strother.

The protest did not go exactly as organizers planned.

“Originally we were going to block off traffic but we didn’t have enough people to do that so we resorted to plan B, and are protesting outside of Breslin,” National Student Activist Party president and co-founder and communication senior Ryan Boudreaux said.

Boudreaux, a former employee at The State News, attributed the lower than anticipated turnout to a variety of factors, including the cold weather.

Also, the protest was not advertised on social media in order to prevent a heightened police presence.

“The basketball game will get a lot of attention,” Jones said. “If we make our statements known where everybody can see, it may have a bigger impact.”

THE

MSU Asian Studies Center ANNOUNCES THE

S.C. Lee Scholarship & Paper Competition Application Deadline:

In honor of the late Professor Shao-Chang Lee, an advocate of U.S.-East Asia relations, the S.C. Lee Endowment is proud to sponsor students with outstanding accomplishments in Asian studies.

Several scholarships up to $5,000 are available and prizes up to $1,000 will be awarded for research papers focusing on Asian topics. The scholarship is open to enrolled undergraduate students only.

The paper competition is open to enrolled MSU undergraduate and graduate students.

January 29, 2016 For full details and application visit: asia.isp.msu.edu/resources/leescholar.htm

From left to right, communication senior Ryan Boudreaux, interdisciplinary senior Calvon Sheridan and criminal justice junior Parris Jones walk with signs on Jan. 23 at Breslin Center during a protest for racial equality.

PHOTO: SUNDEEP DHANJAL

VOL . 106 | NO. 34

CONTACT THE STATE NEWS (517) 432-3000 NEWSROOM/CORRECTIONS (517) 432-3070 feedback@statenews.com GENERAL MANAGER Marty Sturgeon (517) 432-3000 ADVERTISING M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(517) 432-3010 ADVERTISING MANAGER Corey Mack COLOPHON The State News design features Acta, a newspaper type system created by DSType Foundry.

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, Monday and Thursday during the academic year.

Subscription rates: $5 per semester on campus; $125 a year, $75 for one fall or spring semester, $60 for summer semester by mail anywhere in the continental United States. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the MSU community.

Additional copies $0.75 at the business office only.

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.

EDITORIAL STAFF (517) 432-3070

ENTER TO WIN

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Olivia Dimmer MANAGING EDITOR Julia Nagy PUBLIC CONCERNS EDITOR Cameron Macko STUDENT ISSUES EDITOR Meagan Beck SPORTS EDITOR Ryan Kryska FEATURES EDITOR Jake Allen PHOTO EDITOR Alice Kole DESIGN EDITOR Katie Winkler COPY CHIEF Casey Holland Copyright © 2016 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich.

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

TH E STATE N E WS

3

Spotlight

Julia Nagy Managing editor feedback@statenews.com @thesnews

Senior forward Matt Costello sets an example on and off the court

BY RYAN SQUANDA RSQUANDA@STATENEWS.COM

MSU senior forward Matt Costello wasn’t expected to be much of a factor in the MSU men’s basketball game against Maryland.

In fact, he hadn’t even practiced since suffering a bad ankle sprain in a loss to Nebraska three days prior.

However, as he hobbled onto the court that night, little did anyone know he was about to turn in the grittiest performance of his career — a rock-solid 15 points and 12 rebounds, which helped MSU to a much needed victory, 74-65.

In the game’s waning moments, as Costello checked out to a crowd chanting his name, he walked up to head coach Tom Izzo, picked him up and twirled him around with a huge bear hug, an emotional moment that quickly went viral across the Internet.

It’s wasn’t the first time a celebration from Costello went viral. In a victory against Florida on Dec. 12, 2015, it was a goofy high-stepping, head-bobbing dance move, which gave Costello the spotlight he doesn’t otherwise command.

“It was weird,” Costello said after the Florida game. “I can’t even describe it. I hope to never do it again.”

Maybe it’s true to say Costello has never been a superstar at MSU, but Costello has been as reliable as they get, averaging 9.8 points and 8.1 rebounds a game during his senior year. And for a guy who doesn’t blow people away with his athleticism, Costello needs 14 more blocks to leave as MSU’s all-time leader.

However, to think of Costello in terms of basketball stats and goofy celebrations would almost be to do him a disservice.

Because beyond that, there’s also Matt Costello, MSU basketball’s ultimate good guy.

BECOMING A BASKETBALL STAR

Senior forward Matt Costello hugs head coach Tom Izzo during the game against Maryland on Jan. 23 at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Terrapins, 74-65. PHOTO: SUNDEEP DHANJAL

NURTURE YOUR CALLING want to bring integrative “Ihealth to everyday people.”

Stephen Phipps, ND (2013)

Create a Healthier World

Degrees Include: Exercise Science Naturopathic Medicine Cjig^i^dn 6XjejcXijgZ B^Yl^[Zgn

UPCOMING INFORMATION MEETINGS

CHINA China Summer School: Technology, Identity, and Culture in Chengdu

Summer 2016 • Tuesday, January 26 • 3:30 pm B243 Wells Hall

IRELAND English Department Summer Program in Dublin and Western Ireland

Summer 2016 • Tuesday, January 26 • 5:00 pm A116 Wells Hall UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS (USVI), BARBADOS, ST. MAARTEN

Comparative Law and Legal Systems in the Caribbean Spring 2017 • Wednesday, January 27 • 4:30 pm AND 6:30 pm C203 Snyder Hall

UK Bastyr.edu/Education

Technology, Humanities, and the Arts in London Summer 2016 • Friday, January 29 • 1:00 pm Main Entry - Snyder Phillips Hall

855-4-BASTYR

STUDY ABROAD ADVISING CENTER

Learn more:

International Center, Room 108 Walk-in Hours: 10 am - 2 pm Monday-Thursday or by appointment Phone: (517) 353-8920/ Email: osapa@msu.edu Web: studyabroad.msu.edu

Seattle San Diego

4

THE STATE N E WS

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

For a majority of his early childhood, Costello and his family did a lot of moving around. Born in Michigan, the Costellos moved to Kentucky for a stretch of the early 2000s, before moving back to Michigan and eventually settling in Linwood, a small town north of Bay City. There, Costello blossomed into one of the best high school basketball players in the country.

By the time Costello was a senior at Bay City Western High School, the 6-foot-9 big man won the 2012 Hal Schram Mr. Basketball award, averaging 25.1 points, 19.1 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks a game, leading his team to a 18-6 record and second-straight district championship.

“In anything that he did, he really did put great effort into it,” Chris Watz, Costello’s high school basketball coach, said.

“He was always focused, set goals and worked hard to achieve them. ... He was given some gifts and he realized that and put the hard work into it to make himself as good as he could.”

It wasn’t long before several college coaches began to take notice of some of Costello’s gifts. Of those coaches was Izzo, who offered Costello a scholarship to come play for him.

For Costello, it didn’t take long to decide. He would head to East Lansing to become a Spartan.

FINDING HIMSELF

When Costello arrived on campus in 2012, it was an exciting time for him. He was making contributions to one of the best college basketball programs in the country.

However, as he maneuvered his way through his freshman year, something was missing. Growing up, faith had always been an important part of Costello’s life and he had always been heavily involved in the youth group at his church.

“It was a lot tougher because I didn’t have the support system I had back at home,” Costello said. “I had a youth group back at home. I had my parents. Here, just kind of going into a new situation and a liberal college with not many boundaries, it was a lot easier to get into trouble and things like that.

It took me a little bit to find a group of people that helped and supported me like in high school.”

Eventually Costello got involved with the MSU division of Athletes in Action, a group where Christian athletes “use sports as a platform to help people answer questions of faith and to point them to Jesus.”

Spotlight

“

He was always focused, set goals and worked hard to achieve them... He was given some gifts and he realized that and put the hard work into it to make himself as good as he could.

“

Chris Watz Costello’s high school basketball coach

Costello also said it’s helped him to flourish through having roommates who come from similar backgrounds, such as former teammate and roommate Travis Trice, or his roommates of this year — MSU football player Josiah Price, basketball teammate Matt Van Dyk and cross country and track and field runner Ryan Haag.

And it was through Price that Costello met Jonathan Saunders, the director of the Spartan Christian Fellowship, a campus ministry group at MSU. “I first met Matt at church,” Saunders said. “Josiah Price had told me that Matt was interested in growing spiritually so when I saw Matt at our church I quickly went up and introduced myself.”

Throughout the last couple of years, Saunders said he has gotten to know Costello through a weekly bible study he conducts with him and his roommates.

In addition to this, Saunders said he and his wife have been conducting Costello’s premarital counseling — Costello is engaged — and there was even a time when Costello threw a birthday party at Breslin Center for one of Saunders’ sons.

“Matt is as genuine and down to earth as any guy I have known,” Saunders said.

It was also through SCF that Costello and Trice did a speaking engagement, where they shared their message that while being an athlete at MSU is an honor, it’s more of an honor to be called a Christian.

“I just live my life how I think God would want me to,” Costello said. “He just wants me to live my life and be an example to people that they can look up to.”

TEAM PLAYER

MSU had just defeated a Kansas in the Champions Classic, 79-73, and MSU’s locker room was going nuts about the 29 point, 12 rebound, 12 assist game senior guard Denzel Valentine had just had.

Costello was no exception. It meant a lot for him to see Valentine succeed at that high of a level. The two of them came in as freshmen in the fall of 2012 and have played in more big games than any other players in the country.

Entering this season, having already made several deep NCAA Tournament runs — a Sweet Sixteen, an Elite Eight and a Final Four, Costello and Valentine have made this year’s goals clear.

“We’ve got to push for something more because that feel-

ing of just getting there wasn’t enough,” Costello said at the beginning of the season. “We want to finish the job this year.”

Costello entered his senior year after a junior campaign that featured career bests in nearly every statistical category, and being one of the more experienced members of this year’s team, that would generally mean more playing time.

However, with promising freshman Deyonta Davis thrown into the mix, it was clear Costello would be competing for minutes. But it’s what Costello did in response to this that impressed Izzo.

“He has done for (Davis) like (Goran) Suton did for (Draymond Green) and Delvon Roe,” Izzo said. “He has just kind of taken him under his wing. Every day he helps explains things. … I tell DD everyday, you’re lucky. You’re lucky because you’re having guys help you and you’re taking some of their minutes.”

Costello doesn’t feel he’s been owed anything, though, and being the leader and captain he is, feels taking Davis under his wing is the least he could do.

“I understand that (Davis) is a very talented player and so I want this team to win,” Costello said. “That’s my number one goal and he’s going to be a top 15 draft pick, whether it’s this year or next year, whenever anybody takes him. So I’ve got to

do my best to mentor him and get what I can along the way.”

It’s not just through the game of basketball that Costello’s helpfulness is evident. Off the court, Trice said Costello is as genuine as it gets, and that’s what makes him special.

“Matt’s one of those guys, when he says something ... he truly means it,” Trice said. “If I had a rough game, I’d come back to the apartment and he’d check on me and see how I’m doing. It’s all genuine.”

But for Costello, no matter what accomplishments MSU may achieve this season, the focus is still on one.

“It’s huge,” Costello said after MSU defeated Oakland on Dec. 22, 2015 to improve to a school-best record start of 13-0.

“But again, it doesn’t matter until April.”

For MSU’s sake, April will be as good a time as any for Costello to break out some new celebrations.

Costello’s 4 year averages 40

Average Blocks

35

Average Rebounds 30

Average Points

25

Games Played

20 15 10

Then-sophomore forward Matt Costello and sophomore guard Denzel Valentine share a laugh Jan. 11, 2014, at Breslin Center during the game against Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers in overtime, 87-75. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO

5 0

Senior

Junior

Sophomore

Then-junior forward Matt Costello attempts a basket April 4, 2015, during the semi-final game of the NCAA Tournament in the Final Four round at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Spartans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 81-61. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO

Freshman

Freshman forward Deyonta Davis dribbles around senior forward Matt Costello prior to the game against Maryland on Jan. 23, 2015 at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Terrapins, 74-65.

PHOTO: SUNDEEP DHANJAL

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

TH E STATE N E WS

5

News

Cameron Macko Public Concerns editor city@statenews.com @thesnews

MSU college launches initiative to study children affected in Flint

BY IAN WENDROW IWENDROW@STATENEWS.COM

Among the frenzy to assign blame for the ongoing Flint water crisis, it’s easy to forget that residents of the city are the hardest hit. Among those residents, the most vulnerable are young children and infants that have consumed lead contaminated water from the Flint River.

In light of this, a new public health initiative has been launched between the Hurley Children’s Hospital and the MSU College of Human Medicine located in Flint. Spearheaded by MSU assistant professor in pediatrics Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the initiative aims to study children who consumed Flint’s lead water during its “peak” period between April 2014 and October 2015 and how this will affect their physical and mental development.

“This is a recommitment to the future of Flint, specifically as a result of this disaster,” Hanna-Attisha, director of the pediatric residency program at Hurley, said.

The program consists of three arms. The first is assessment, continuing the research on the impact of the exposure. Second is monitoring, entailing a long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up with affected children, with the final component focused on intervention.

Hanna-Attisha made her findings on Flint’s water contamination widespread in late September at a press conference. The move was highly unorthodox, since researchers usually wait to have their findings undergo peer review before releasing it to the public.

“We had this professional, ethical, moral obligation to share what we had found,” she said.

Hanna-Attisha’s research helped put pressure on state and city officials to come together and work towards addressing Flint’s water pollution.

“As part of our Flint Pediatric Public Health Initiative, we have invited a representative from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to be a part of the initiative as well as the director of the county health department in

Lead-heavy water found in E.L. school

BY STEPHEN OLSCHANSKI SOLSCHANSKI@STATENEWS.COM

An elevated lead level reaching 30 parts per billion, twice the federal acceptable level of 15 parts per billion, was found in the water of one faucet in Glencairn Elementary School in East Lansing.

An isolated incident, it will not effect the East Lansing area or MSU, nor will it have any health effects on the population.

“We don’t have any reason to believe that anyone would have an elevated blood level because

of anything there,” Ingham County head health officer Linda Vail said. “Quite honestly (if) any of the testing we do were to show any elevated blood levels are most likely going to be due to exposure in the home.”

Vail also said water isn’t the most common place for lead exposure.

“Paint is actually the most common source of lead exposure in homes, so most of it doesn’t come from water,” she said. “We of course know about the situation in Flint, but this is more of a receptacle piping issue and that’s not uncommon

Looking for a Master’s Degree?

Genesee County,” Leslee Wilkins, an administrative assistant for MSU’s Institute for Health Policy, said.

Lead laden blood is a concern for any human being, as the heavy metal has no known health benefits. The heavy metal accumulates in bone, since the body thinks it’s calcium, and is released very slowly.

“This is a fairly unique situation where you have a community exposed to lead in the water and then what might that mean for these children in the short term and in the long term,” Wilkins said.

Research on lead’s effects on children isn’t an entirely new research venture. The federal government issued regulations against lead paint in the 1970s after studies proved a direct correlation between living in lead painted homes and adolescent lead poisoning.

An issue for Hanna-Attisha and her research is that lead leached water is able to affect much younger children.

“Lead in water affects an even younger, more

developmentally vulnerable population, so unborn children and babies on formula who are using tap water to mix their powdered formula,” she said.

Aside from being compelled to act as medical practitioners, many of the researchers on Hanna-Attisha’s team can empathize with what Flint residents are going through.

Allison Schnepp, who began her clinical residency at Hurley around the time Flint switched water sources back in April 2014, is one of those researchers.

“We all had noticed that our patients, or actually their parents, would come in with various complaints about the water saying that it smells funny or that my child’s experiencing this rash after using the water,” Schnepp said.

As a wife and mother of a one and a half year old, her child fits within the age range of the children most affected by Flint’s lead water.

“To think, as a parent, how angry I’d be if that was my child,” she said. “I can’t imagine how upset I would be if me or my child was drinking it.”

in older buildings or older housing stock either.”

Vail encourages those who have homes built prior to 1978 to have their homes checked for lead.

The faucet was tested after a sticker was discovered nearby reading “flush this faucet each day to reduce lead levels to acceptable health limits.” The sticker is believed to date from the 1980s or early 1990s. One of the four samples taken from that faucet reached above the 15 parts per billion level. Seven samples were also taken from other faucets and fountains at the school and each registered below the federal limit.

The district responded quickly, immediately shutting off water to the faucet and replacing it. East Lansing district officials also met with

the Ingham County Health Department officials last Thursday to discuss the scare and what was going to happen going forward.

The elevated lead levels have caused concern in East Lansing as well as at MSU about the quality of the water on campus.

MSU spokesperson Jason Cody said MSU is on a different water system than East Lansing, so MSU students shouldn’t be concerned.

MSU’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities draws its water from the Saginaw Aquifer and treats the water at on-campus facilities.

According to the latest MSU Water Quality report, “MSU water meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water standards,” weighing in at four parts per billion.

Students utilize study locations during the start of new semester

Human biology senior Sweta Komanduru studies on Jan. 22 at Wells Hall. Wells offers convenient study spots for students on campus. PHOTO: CARLY GERACI 6

THE STATE N E WS

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

News

Volunteer bike shop run in hall basement teaches how to repair

BY RACHEL FRADETTE RFRADETTE@STATENEWS.COM

Checking bike tires. Changing bike tires. Adjusting brakes.

These are just a few of the things taught in the basement of Demonstration Hall.

Demonstration Hall has been the home to the MSU Bike Project 2003.

The project helps students and staff to combat the every day wear and tear on their bikes,which can happen especially during the winter months.

The MSU Bike Project merged with the Surplus Store in 2012, however this past fall semester the workshop program in the basement of Demonstration Hall reopened.

Not to be confused with the MSU Bikes Services Center, The Bike Project is an expansion of the MSU Bikes Service Center and is a free workshop that teaches students and faculty how to restore, repair and improve their bicycles.

The shop offers a bike repair class for beginner and advanced students in mechanics, taking place ever y Wednesday. The shop and classes are open to MSU students and faculty.

“Whoever has an interest on learning to work on their bike,” MSU volunteer bike shop coordinator Layne Cameron said.

Cameron, who has been involved with the project since coming to MSU in 2010, said long-term he hopes the shop will eventually become a non-credit course for students to

enroll in.

“Right now we’ve got the facility, we’ve got the tools, we’ve got the basic course working,” Cameron said. “Now we’re looking to get more students interested.”

Cameron said his involvement with the shop hit home for him because of his past participation in competitive cycling.

“The advanced course is the overhaul course,” Cameron said. “So you learn how to actually take apart hubs, rebuild your hubs and wheels.”

Cameron said the courses offer students and faculty the opportunity to understand the inner workings of their bike.

“You basically learn how to tear your bike down and rebuild it,” he said.

Cameron said the shop’s classes attract many different students in a variety of majors, from engineering to neuroscience.

Finance junior Phil Baeza frequently visits the shop, working on his bike in addition to other bikes.

“I was actually looking up the actual bike shop two years ago and I clicked on the website for volunteering,” Baeza said. “I just wanted to learn how to do basic maintenance.”

Baeza said he thinks working at the shop is rewarding for students while working to get their education “It increases your confidence with problem solving and trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with the bike,” Baeza said.

Cameron said other universities have

Williamston Mich., resident and MSU faculty member Layne Cameron speaks to a student on Dec. 9 in the basement of Demonstration Hall. The MSU volunteer bike shop is open to all students and faculty who present an MSU ID. PHOTO: ALICE KOLE

more advanced credit courses such as frame building for bikes at the University of Iowa.

“Anything at a university moves slowly so it’s a long-term goal,” Cameron said. “Regularity and showing that the numbers are there is the qualifier.”

MSU BIKE PROJ EC T The MSU Bike Project is run out of the Demonstration Hall basement.

Students and faculty are able to attend the free workshops to learn how to repair or improve their bikes.

There is a bike repair class on Wednesdays that teaches mechanics.

Lansing event called “The Come Out” draws social media following, large crowd

BY ALEXEA HANKIN AHANKIN@STATENEWS.COM

The Avenue Cafe in Lansing was filled to capacity as a large crowd came to listen to the trials and tribulations of their LGBT peers.

“The Come Out” event on Friday was hosted in conjunction by Humans Uniting for an Equal Society, or HUES, Lansing Association for Human Rights, LAHR, and the Alliance of Queer and Ally Students at MSU. The event drew a large following on social media and the bar was packed all night with a constant flow of people coming and leaving, but mostly staying.

Alysa Hodgson, a women’s and gender studies senior and chairperson of HUES, vice president of LAHR, and ASMSU chairperson, said she helped to plan the event since its initial brainstorm.

She said LGBT equality begins with how people treat each other and how

people talk about each other when we’re not around.

“The Come Out is supposed to bring the community together, whether you’re a queer or an ally,” Hodgson said. “It’s supposed to bring a greater understanding of how difficult it is to come out.”

Hodgson explained The Come Out is something between The Vagina Monologues, a scripted play written by Eve Ensler about women’s sexual experiences and an abortion speak-out, which typically happens at pro-choice rallies where women spontaneously speak out about their abortion experiences.

The Come Out featured planned speakers who shared their real stories, like an abortion speak out, but offers the formal structure of The Vagina Monologues.

“Coming out can be misconstrued as ‘Oh, heterosexuals don’t have to come out so why is it a big deal for people who aren’t?’” Hodgson said. “This event is supposed to broaden perspectives, and

Philosophy senior Jessica Sietsema speaks to the audience during the “The Come Out” on Jan. 22 at The Avenue Cafe at 2021 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing.

PHOTO: SUNDEEP DHANJAL

bring understanding to what it’s like to be queer in a world that is decidedly not queer.”

The lineup of people telling stories ranged from high school students to university professors.

Kerry Korpela, environmental geo-

sciences senior and a board member of The Alliance of Queer and Ally Students at MSU, said they were stories she really wanted to hear.

“If someone’s talking, and they have something important to say, I think people should listen,” Korpela said.

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

Journalism sophomore Rachael Daniel, who attended the event with her girlfriend, said the safe space was important to her.

“I think these sorts of events gives people a space to talk about this sort of things safely,” Daniel said.

TH E STATE N E WS

7

Crossword

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

Sports

Ryan Kryska Sports editor sports@statenews.com @thesnews_sports

Ian Rodriguez swims at McCaffree one last time

ACROSS

1 ’90s game disc 4 Infield fly 9 Invites home for dinner, say 14 007 creator Fleming 15 Banish 16 Unable to sit still 17 *Game where one might have an ace in the hole 19 Actor __ Elba of “The Wire” 20 Liability offset 21 Settle in a new country 23 Young Simpson 26 “Coulda been worse!”

27 Biblical beast 30 Least fatty 33 __-12 conference 36 *Financial page listing 38 “__ creature was stirring ... ” 39 Team in 40-Across 40 Arch city: Abbr.

41 Ship carrying fuel 42 Iowa State city 43 *Only woman ever elected governor of Alaska 45 Very quietly, in music 46 Artist’s paint holder 47 Farm pen 48 Gave the nod to 50 Payroll IDs 52 Became partners

56 To date 60 Ed with seven Emmys 61 *Stack of unsolicited manuscripts 64 “I’ll do it” 65 Gum treatment, briefly 66 Former president of Pakistan 67 Relaxed 68 “500” Wall St. index ... and a hint to the answers to starred clues 69 Reheat quickly

DOWN

1 Leaning Tower of __ 2 Stable diet 3 Bearded antelopes 4 Coaches’ speeches 5 Losing tic-tac-toe string 6 Water__: dental brand 7 Title beekeeper played

by Peter Fonda 8 Make waves?

9 San Francisco street that crosses Ashbury 10 Netman Agassi 11 *Informal surveys 12 “__ just me?”

13 Financial page abbr.

18 Budding socialite 22 __ dixit: assertion without proof 24 Sales agent

25 Like ankle bones 27 Songwriters’ org.

28 “Put __ here”: envelope corner reminder 29 *Touchy topics 31 Saltpeter, to a Brit 32 Flashy displays 34 Took the loss, financially 35 Sideshow barker 37 Music store buys 38 Actress Peeples 41 Workplace where union membership is optional 43 DWI-fighting org.

44 Growth chart nos.

46 Looked carefully 49 Krispy __ doughnuts 51 Soak (up) 52 Hardly healthy-looking 53 Out of port 54 Snail-mail delivery org.

55 Formal petition 57 Antacid jingle word repeated after “plop, plop” 58 Et __: and others 59 Harvest 62 Barista’s vessel 63 Rocker Vicious

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

2

3

4

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 SATURDAY’S PUZZLE

Get the solutions at statenews.com/ puzzles

1/25/16

8

© 2016 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

THE STATE N E WS

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

Senior individual medley and backstroker Ian Rodriquez swims in the IM 200 during the meet against Oakland University on Jan. 23 at IM Sports-West. PHOTO: CARLY GERACI

BY SOUICHI TERADA STERADA@STATENEWS.COM

During his last race of the MSU swimming and diving teams’ home meet against Oakland University Saturday, senior swimmer Ian Rodriguez sat on the starting block with a look of reminiscence. This would be the last time Rodriguez would swim at McCaffree Pool — his senior night.

Rodriguez took fifth place in the event, the 200-yard individual medley, but two earlier first-place finishes in the 200-yard backstroke and 200-yard medley relay made for a worthy send off.

“It meant a lot because all of our parents were here, too. It was a pretty packed house. It was the most packed I’ve seen this place in a long time.”

Ian Rodriguez MSU senior individual medley and backstrocker

Overall, the men’s team defeated the Golden Grizzlies by a final score of 179-118 and the women’s team won by a final score of 160-134. “(Senior Day) was special,” Rodriguez said. “It meant a lot because all of our parents were here, too. It was a pretty packed house. It was the most packed I’ve seen this place in a long time. It’s the end of a chapter but it’s not over yet, we still have a lot of work to do.”

Rodriguez has accomplished several impressive accolades throughout his four years at MSU. For starters, Rodriguez recorded the third-fastest time in MSU history in the 100-yard backstroke. But his biggest accomplishment was earning the 100-yard backstroke championship in the Puerto Rican International Open this past season. “(Winning the Puerto Rican title) was an awesome experience,” Rodriguez said. “I got to represent my family out there. It wasn’t like I was swimming for Michigan State, I was swimming towards something larger than myself.”

Rodriguez has grown immensely as a swimmer at

MSU and looks to conclude his time as a Spartan with a bang. The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will conclude their dual-meet season Feb. 6 with a trip to Ann Arbor to take on the University of Michigan. Afterward, the men’s team will head to West Lafayette, Indiana on Feb. 24 for the Big Ten championships. The women’s team is scheduled to return to Ann Arbor on Feb. 17 for their Big Ten championship meet.

And as the end of Rodriguez’s time at MSU comes to term, men’s head coach Matt Gianiodis looks back on how far he has come outside of the pool.

A GROWTH IN CONFIDENCE

Coach Gianiodis has watched Rodriguez grow not only as a swimmer through four years, but as a person.

Rodriguez has a noticeable stutter, but has worked to overcome this ailment through the years.

“Ian stutters,” Gianiodis said. “I’ve seen him grow to the point where he can talk in front of groups now really well, talk in front of his teammates really well.

He has the maturity about him that we wouldn’t have seen three years ago. I think the Michigan State experience for him has been really good.”

Gianiodis said Rodriguez’s past experiences have given him the natural ability to lead, and during his four years, he has learned how to uncap his ailments.

“He’s had the opportunities and experiences that kids have not had,” Gianiodis said. “He has the ability to use that experience to try to help mentor some of the younger guys on the team.”

Along his road, Rodriguez has made friends he’ll keep for the rest of his life. Senior diver Charles Maurer, Rodriguez’s roommate, now looks back on how he’s witnessed him continue his personal growth.

“I’ve enjoyed watching (Rodriguez) swim over the years,” Maurer said. “He’s definitely drastically improved. He went and swam with the Puerto Rican team for a little bit, I think that really kicked him into high gear. He realized he has a lot of potential that he’s able to unleash in the pool. He’s just been working as hard as he can.”

Rodriguez will continue his swimming career after college. He has plans to train in Europe after this season and hopes to become a member of the Puerto Rican Olympic team.

MSU fans flock to ESPN’s College GameDay before win vs. Maryland PHOTOS BY CARLY GERACI

From left to right, Rece Davis, Jay Williams, Seth Greenberg and Jay Bilas host ESPN’s College GameDay on Jan. 23 at Breslin Center.

Students hold signs and cheer at ESPN’s College GameDay on Jan. 23 at Breslin Center.

From left to right Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, senior guard Denzel Valentine, Jay Williams and Seth Greenberg huddle together for a picture before shooting a segment at ESPN’s College GameDay on Jan. 23 at Breslin Center.

Students hold signs and cheer at ESPN’s College GameDay on Jan. 23 at Breslin Center.

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

TH E STATE N E WS

9

Features

Jake Allen Features editor features@statenews.com @thesnews

MSU students find and showcase passions for theater and acting

BY DANIELLE DUGGAN DDUGGAN@STATENEWS.COM

Two actors with two different paths to the stage headline MSU Department of Theatre’s production of “And Away We Go,” which runs through Jan. 31 with shows at the Studio 60 Theatre in the basement of the Auditorium.

Theatre junior Derek Bry, who fills six of the 36 roles in the play, said his acting career started in second grade when he joined Destination Imagination, which consists of creative problem-solving competitions that sometimes involves doing skits.

‘‘I thought if I can get to be a successful enough actor I’ll get to play people who do all these different jobs that I want.”

Derek Bry Theatre junior

“Originally, I just wanted to be in my school’s yearbook more and I wanted to be part of assemblies because I would always raise my hand to volunteer to go up and they would never pick me, so I was like, ‘I know if I do Destination Imagination I’ll get to do one assembly every year,’” Bry said.

When Bry started middle school, he started doing musicals and became involved with theater throughout high school and college.

After graduation, Bry plans to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in TV or film.

“I’m really interested in lots of things, so when I was trying to pick a major for college I had a really hard time narrowing down all the stuff that I’m interested in, so I thought if I can get to be a successful enough actor I’ll get to play people who do all these different jobs that I want,” Bry said.

Theatre graduate student Karen Vance, who has been doing theater since she was five years old, took a more traditional road to the Studio 60 stage. "(Theater is) the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do,” Vance said.

Vance will fill six roles in “And Away We Go” and graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago in 2014.

After graduation, Vance stayed in Chicago and performed professionally on stage and in TV and film.

Most of the work Vance did was with the Shakespeare Project of Chicago or The Inappropriate Theatre Company.

The last show Vance did with the Inappropriate Theatre Company was an adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet” completely performed through stage combat, dance and aerial arts.

Vance said playing six roles in “And Away We Go” is exhausting, but gives her a chance to express her love her for theater. “(The play is) basically a love letter to the theater talking about how theater is always the same and always changing,” Vance said.

The play is written by Terrence McNally and directed by associate professor in the Department of Theatre Ann Folino White.

It will feature six actors each playing six roles for a total of 36 different roles.

Theatre junior Derek Bry, theater graduate student Greg Hunter II, and theater senior Madelayne Shammas perform on Jan. 20 during a dress rehearsal for “And Away We Go” at the Auditorium. PHOTO: EMILY ELCONIN

“It’s written in a way that it has all the genres of theater,” White said. “Now it’s a comedy, but what I mean by all the best things that theater can offer (is) it has death, romance, and violence, and competing egos and it is a chance for the actors and for me as a director to direct a bunch of different styles.”

Bry and Vance will be joined on stage by theatre graduate student Greg Hunter II, theatre senior Mad-

elayne Shammas, theatre junior Lee Cleaveland and James Madison College freshman Anna Birmingham.

Hunter said “And Away We Go” will show many of the things one goes through as a theater actor, play wright or theater advocate, showing both the ups and the downs.

The impact theater can have on the audience is what Hunter said got him to stick with acting and per-

forming where he is today.

“Seeing how it can affect people and affect change in people’s viewpoints and the way they see the world is kind of what kept me in it,” Hunter said. “Specifically with family members who came to see me perform were so affected by what I was doing, I was like, ‘If I can do this with my family, then why not do this with as many other people as possible.’”

Professor inspires others through bird reserach At times she can be found sitting in a small office in the basement of the Natural Science Building.

The office contains shelves lined with books about birds and has a bird calendar draped over a cluttered desk.

If she isn’t in there, or roaming around MSU’s campus, chances are she is in the middle of a forest in Asia, South America or elsewhere doing field research RASMUSSEN about her pa ssion — birds.

Pamela Rasmussen is a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at MSU and is also a prominent ornithologist and researcher most famously known for the description of 10 species of birds. Rasmussen is tied for the third highest number of bird descriptions by one person

in the last 50 years.

The description of an animal refers to a process where an animal or species has been seen or heard of, but there is a very incomplete set of information and data regarding that species which then prompts researchers to go out in the field and fulfill the data to properly describe that species.

The Oregon native has had a strong love for birds since her childhood.

“My mom gave me a bird book as a kid and I was just instantly riveted by the pictures,” Rasmussen said. “At that time there wasn’t very many bird books or photos of birds, and I was just captivated by them ... so for a while that’s all I wanted to do, was look at all the different birds.”

Rasmussen’s first description of a bird species came in 1998. Since she has continued traveling the world, researching birds in distant countries and unheard of islands to trek deep into the jungles and gather information.

Her most recent adventure, during winter break, took her to a remote area called the Obi

10

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

BY GABE COMOS GCOMOS@STATENEWS.COM

THE STATE N E WS

Islands, located in the province of Indonesia known as North Maluku, which is rarely visited by foreigners and has only been the research site of two known ornithologist groups in the past decade.

“We saw two bird species that had not been recorded in the area ever before and saw three birds that are sub-species and have not been described to science before,” Rasmussen said.

According to a press release sent out by MSU Today, the species were discovered in India and China, in the forests of the Himalayan mountains.

Rasmussen was a lead member of the team that discovered the newly-named Himalayan forest thrush Zoothera salimalii, which was previously thought to be the same as the Zoothera mollissima, but was found to be a separate species when the scientists noticed a distinctive difference in the bird calling sounds the two species were making.

Rasmussen said there are about five new bird species discovered or described each year.

Going forward Rasmussen said she hopes to

be a part of these discoveries.

“There was a time when I started to get into mammalogy, or got interested in a few other things, but I always came back to birds,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen has pushed her passion and drive upon students at MSU. Zoology junior Tasha Christensen, a student research assistant, has worked under Rasmussen for the past year.

“Anyone would idolize Dr. Rasmussen for her outstanding success in her field,” she said. “Being a zoologist, I could only hope to one day be as successful in a career I love, and she inspires me to pursue such a career.”

Christensen said she looks up to Rasmussen as a mentor and guide to being successful in the field.

“Her dedication and success is a direct reflection of her work ethic,” she said. “She is willing to take a hike through the forest in the middle of the night to get the recordings she is looking for. As far as her personality, she is very humble, kind and honest.”

Features MSU Karate Club becomes a lifestyle for instructor and members

BY CONNOR CLARK CCLARK@STATENEWS.COM

East Lansing resident and instructor John Williamson talks to interior design freshman Ellyn Yin Xin Tan on Thursday at IM Sports-West. Williamson taught his students basic punching skills during the class. PHOTO: KELLY VANFRANKENHUYZEN

Classified TO PLACE AN AD …

BY TELEPHONE (517) 432-3010 IN PERSON 435 E. Grand River Ave.

BY E-MAIL advertising@statenews.com ONLINE www.statenews.com/classifieds OFFICE HOURS 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Punching, blocking and movement techniques along with punching and kicking heavy bags is what MSU Karate Club can be found doing on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings.

The club meets from 6:30-8 p.m. and works on various fighting forms during practice.

It was founded in 1962 and works to help students continue the martial art of karate. It also teaches new students a form of martial art — Pukang Tang Soo Do. Pukang Tang Soo Do, or Northern Diamond Chinese Fist Way, is a Korean-style martial art focusing on punching and kicking.

Students join the club for various reasons. Psychology and criminal justice junior Daniel Hoffman started participating in karate in order to be able to defend himself.

“I wanted to learn how to fight,” Hoffman said. “After you’ve committed yourself for so long, (karate) becomes a lifestyle rather than just a club meeting.”

Neuroscience freshman Virginia Smith said she uses the club as a way to make new friends and stay in shape.

As members enter and exit the dojo in the basement of IM Sports-West, they all bow to show their respect for the martial art.

“You’re stepping through that door to this dojo and pretty much taking the stress from the entire day and just stepping away from it,” Hoffman said.

The MSU Karate Club also competes in tournaments.

Tournaments consist of competitive fighting and form competition.

Hoffman was awarded second place for fighting in a tournament last May. Senior instructor John Williamson has been with the club since 1975. He said the best part is interacting with all of the stu-

dents. Williamson said his goal is to help students grow as people along with their karate skills.

“We teach because we love it,” Williamson said. “It’s an experience you can’t get in any other club.”

Spring 2016 Tax Refund Room 307 Student Services Building Last Day for Refund: Jan. 25th

Student ID Required

Your campus marketplace! statenews.com/classifieds DEADLINES LINER ADS 2 p.m., 1 business day prior to publication (includes cancellations) CLASSIFIED DISPLAY 3 p.m., 3 class days prior to publication

NOTE TO READERS The State News screens ads for misleading or false claims but cannot guarantee any ad or claim. Please use caution when answering ads, especially when sending money.

AD ACCEPTANCE All ads are subject to editing, alterations, approval, or rejection by The State News management.

LINE ADDITIONS Changes resulting in additional lines will be treated as a new ad and return to the first-day rate.

Employment

Employment

Employment

Employment

ANSWER PHONES to take donations for the Humane Society. One day telethon in East Lansing on February 11th. Work 6am-1:30pm &/ or 5pm-9pm. $8.50/hour.

Call 517-203-5050 today!

CHILDCARE- Okemos Kids Club hiring PT for before and after school ass’t, subs and FT for toddler room. $8.85/ hr. Please send resume and availability M-F anytime b/w 7am-6pm to linda.arens@ okemosk12.net

DATA ENTRY clerks needed requiring morning and afternoon hours. MSU’s Survey Research Lab is hiring Data Entry Clerks. Two shifts available, 9am – 1PM or 1PM to 5pm. P/T, flex work schedule. Other projects also available that require evening and weekend hrs. Paid training. $9.00/hr to start, opportunities for advancement. To apply call 517-353-5404 or come to Room 10, Berkey Hall with your resume.

NEW PROJECT requiring morning and afternoon hours.

MSU’s Survey Research Lab is hiring telephone interviewers to conduct computer-assisted interviews in English.

Two shifts available, 9am – 1PM or 1PM to 5pm. P/T, flex work schedule. Other projects also available that require evening and weekend hrs. Paid training. $9.00/ hr to start, opportunities for advancement. To apply call 517-353-5404 or come to Room 10, Berkey Hall with your resume.

GROSSE POINTE YACHT CLUB SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES (Located in Grosse Pointe Shores) We are currently looking to fill the following Seasonal and Part-Time Positions:

Bussers Servers (Grill, Ala Carte, Banquet) Dining Room Supervisors Bartender Bar Porters Harbor Attendants Kitchen Utility Workers Pizza Makers Grill Cooks Window Attendants for Grill Lifeguards Housekeeping Laundry and Locker Room Attendants Please email your resume to

jfeola@gpyc.org with the position you are applying for in the subject line.

GSRP ASS’T teacher- Okemos Kids Club.

Substitute ass’t teacher to work March 14-May 20. $10.25/hr. Must have CDA or higher to apply. Prefer exp. w/4 yo classroom. Please send cover letter, resume and proof of CDA or higher to linda.arens@okemosk12.net IMMEDIATE OPENINGS. $15.50 base-appt. Flex sched. around classes. Great resume builder. 517-3331700. workforstudents.com

REFUNDS No cash refunds will be issued for cancellations. Credit will be applied to subsequent ads for one year.

PAYMENT All ads must be prepaid unless credit has been established with The State News.

Employment WIRELESS SALES Consultant in DeWitt.

This is an exciting time for the cellular industry, w/ new technology always advancing; this is a very fast paced industry. We need dedicated,motivated,+enthusiastic people to help us grow! If you are someone who thrives on challenge +believes that you can positively impact our business while making your personal quota, then we invite you to apply to be a part of Our Team! Call 517-668-6470.

NOW HIRING bus drivers at Okemos Public Schools.

Ideal for a college student pursuing a career in K-12 education. Paid training avail. $14.19 per hr. Background check and drug testing. Call 517-706-5052 for additional info.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT professionals needed. Parttime. 15-25 hours per week. $8.50 per hour. Email resume to bgcl@bgclansing.org.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT– for profess. couple. Cleaning, laundry, shopping, giftwrapping, office wrk., etc. 8 flex. hrs. wk. Starts $8.50/hr.

339-7203

1 AND 2 bdrm apts for 2016-2017. 122 and 134 Durand. Heat/Water incl.

517.351.0765. hrirentals. com

Find today’s paper and more on

Apts. For Rent

statenews.com

COPY ERRORS The State News is only responsible for the first day’s incorrect insertion. Liability is limited to the cost of the space rendered.

Apts. For Rent AVAILABLE FALL! Treehouse Apartments right across from Beal St entrance to campus- studio, 2 & 4 bedroom apts. lic. for 1, 2, 3 or 4. Contemporary furnishings, A/C, patio or balcony, parking and on-site laundry- www.cronmgt. com or 517.351.1177 for more info or to view.

Houses For Rent 1031 DAISY Ln. Avail 08/16.

Large 2 bdrm. Lg backyard.

W/d. Beautiful home. Near Breslin. 927-1338.

1230 LILAC. Avail 8/16. 5 bedroom/2 bath, w/d. New updates. Near Breslin. 9271338.

269 HAGADORN lic 4; Lrg 4bdrm/1600, W/D, parking.

312-550-6745 eclausen@ hotmail.com 411 SPARTAN ave. 4 br licensed for 4. Aug. - Aug. $475 per person. Contact 517-339-3645.

ABOVE AVERAGE 264 Gunson. 2016 - 2017. Lic. 4, Eamon Kelly 714.654.2701 or enkellyjr@gmail.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6

Houses For Rent AUG’ 16 houses. Two 4 bedrooms avail. From $425/person. msurentals@gmail.com, call 517-202-0920.

GREAT DEAL. Only $300/ per. 4 bed, 2 bath. bsmt.

Eastside of Lansing hrirentals.com 517.351.

0765 LEASING ROOM starting May 2016 through August 2017. Hannah Lofts and Townhomes 4-bdrm apartment. Rent at $639. Willing to negotiate price. Stainless steel appliances. Own bed/ bathroom/walk-in closet. Bus shuttle. Gym. Hot tub. Cable w/ HBO. Email rodenjen@ msu.edu for info.

Services DEFENSE OF faculty misconduct cases & student sexual misconduct cases.

Nachtlaw.com. 734-6637550

RECYCLE this newspaper, please.

TH E STATE N E WS

11

VOTING BEGINS FEBRUARY 15

12

THE STATE N E WS

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 6