Wednesday 1/30/2013

Students explore fitness, Vietnamese culture

Preview new Broad Museum’s upcoming exhibits

Izzo to Dawson “let’s get it rolling”

CAMPUS+CITY, PAGE 3

FEATURES, PAGE 5

SPORTS, PAGE 6

Weather

JUSTIN WAN/ THE STATE NEWS

EAST LANSING

LANDLORDS QUESTION PROPOSED ORDINANCE

Rain High 52° | Low 20° Michigan State University’s independent voice | statenews.com | East Lansing, Mich. | Wednesday, January 30, 2013

One Degree Higher

Three-day forecast, Page 2

Master’s degree could mean higher pay, but experience alone gets some majors far Graduate student Hui Chen works on a project with her group members in the Business College Complex.

Chen, who is seeking her master’s degree in business administration, was working on a supply management project with other graduate students.

By Michael Koury kourymic@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

Landlords might have to provide tenants with voter registration forms if a new ordinance meant to increase offcampus student registration is passed by the East Lansing City Council.

The ordinance would amend the current tenant-landlord lease agreement and require landlords provide tenants with voter-registration information upon moving in, a policy some landlords criticized.

Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Triplett , who proposed the ordinance during City Council’s

JULIA NAGY/THE STATE NEWS

The ordinance would ... require landlords provide tenants with voter registration information Jan. 15 meeting, said the proposal is meant to make it as easy as possible for students to register and to keep voter registration up-to-date.

“One of the most likely groups of East Lansing residents to benefit from this ordinance is Michigan State students,” he said.

ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, voted to support the measure during its last meeting.

Communication junior Marie Hallberg, who lives in one of DTN Management’s properties, said the proposed ordinance would be helpful for students who might not know how to register to vote.

“It could be benefi cial for students for the information to be given to them (by the landlords,)” she said. “If it’s not given to them then, some students may not look into it.”

But some landlords expressed concern that City Council is overstepping its bounds with the proposal.

Matt Hagan , an agent with

By Robert Bondy bondyrob@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

I

t wasn’t an easy decision for graduate student Brett Neller to give up his full-time job to return to the life of a college student to pursue a master’s degree. But it’s a decision he doesn’t regret.

“Anytime you decide to give up two years, when you have a steady job, and you have disposable income and to give that up to go into debt, then I think it is a difficult decision,” Neller said.

But he also called it “one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

Deciding whether or not to further one’s education, is something many MSU students dwell on, determining if the extra bills and time in the classroom are worth a higher chance of job placement and higher average salary wage.

For supply chain management senior Siddhant Bhambhani, the decision to go to graduate school already has been made because of what it’ll add to his résumé.

“Grad school is like a branding on your name,” Bhambhani said. “It’s going to make me get a better job.”

The numbers don’t lie Graduate school offers advantages in both employment and salary, according to a report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, highlighting the different job placement and average salary wage numbers for each field with an undergraduate and graduate degree. But some master’s degrees paid off more than others, especially when compared to what someone in the same field would make with a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience.

In terms of employment, master’s degrees are most helpful for majors focused on physical fitness and parks recreation. While a bachelor’s degree holder in this major faces 8.3 percent unem-

By the numbers $36,000

Average raise in yearly salary when a student receives a graduate degree

4.53 percent Average improvement in

unemployment rates when a student receives a graduate degree

SOURCE: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE

ployment, those with a master’s degree in the same field have an unemployment of only 2 percent.

But a master’s degree might be less helpful for business majors, who face 4.4 percent unemployment with a master’s degree and 7.4 percent unemployment without it.

The differences in average

yearly salary also improved in all 15 categories for those with a master’s degree, from a $23,000 increase for education majors to a $55,000 increase for some sciences and physics degree holders. The average salary increase for the 15 fields See DEGREE on page 2 X

See VOTING on page 2 X

GYMNASTICS

The Real Neal: Leading the team

RANKING

MSU among top for ‘B’ students

By Simon Schuster schust61@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

MSU landed near the top of the list for “A+ schools for B Students,” in a recent ranking by U.S. News and World Report.

“If you’re a good student with less than stellar test scores or a so-so GPA, these are the schools for you,” the ranking reads.

MSU, which is listed 72nd on U.S. News and World Report’s national ranking overall, was ranked sixth out of the more

than 300 universities included in the 2012 list.

The ranking was based on factors including rate of freshman retention — 91 percent of freshmen returned as sophomores in fall 2011 — and the

See RANKING on page 2 X

GOVE R N M E NT

SNYDER ASKS COURT REVIEW OF RIGHT-TO-WORK

By Kellie Rowe rowekell@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

Taira Neal practices on the vault before a home win against Illinois during her third year with the gymnastics team. Now a senior, Neal is the team captain.

— State News File Photo See GYMNASTICS on page 6

After opponents of right-towork legislation threatened to fi le lawsuits against the new law, Gov. Rick Snyder enlisted the help of the Michigan Supreme Court to determine if certain parts of the bill are unconstitutional.

T he governor asked the state’s highest court to issue

an opinion on sections of the law that protesters could challenge before the law takes effect March 27, according to Snyder’s official letter to Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. Many state workers are upset the Michigan Legislature quickly pushed a controversial rightto-work bill through Congress on Dec. 11, 2012, during the lame duck session.

The law states employees in

unionized workplaces can opt out of joining a union, whereas before, they were not given a choice.

Pro-union workers opposed the legislation, fearing it might weaken unions’ collective power when bargaining with employers for better wages or more benefits.

Right-to-work opposers fi nd it unfair non-union members See RIGHT-TO-WORK on page 2 X

2 | TH E STAT E N E WS | W ED NES DAY, JANUARY 3 0, 201 3 | STATE N E WS.COM

News brief Simon discusses revised plan for MSU On Tuesday morning, President Lou Anna K. Simon met with university administrators, officials and student leaders to speak about the new initiatives of her revised strategic plan for the university — Bolder by Design.

The plan is an update to the previous university strategy, Boldness by Design, which was implemented in 2005.

Boldness by Design ultimately rested upon five pillars to become the “model land-grant university for the 21st century.” These include goals to enhance the student experience, enrich community, economic, and family life, expand international reach, increase research opportunities and strengthen stewardship.

SAMANTHA RADECKI | THE STATE NEWS

statenews.com To more about the plan, visit statenews.com.

Three-day forecast

Thursday Snow High: 23° Low: 16°

Friday Snow High: 19° Low: 15°

Saturday Snow High: 26° Low: 23°

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TO CONTACT THE STATE NEWS

Corrections In the front page story, “Campus fuel station to be moved before 2015,” (SN 1/29) Ron Flinn’s title is vice president for Strategic Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.

If you notice an error, please contact Managing Editor Emily Wilkins at (517) 432-3070 or by email at feedback@ statenews.com.

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FROM PAGE ONE

of study was just less than $37,000 when a student continues their education past an undergraduate degree.

“Some things we had were big surprises — you see high earnings with a graduate degree, and that really surprised me,” said Andrew Hanson, a research analyst for higher education and labor markets who worked on the report. “STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are the ones where you see the biggest difference in variance.”

Experience just as important as grad school The addition of graduate school to one’s résumé has shown clear signs of helping in job-placement numbers, but without prior experience, another degree title isn’t as beneficial as it appears.

MSU Director of Research for the Collegiate Employ-

RANKING

MSU listed by U.S. News and World Report top university for “B” students FROM PAGE ONE

average test scores and class rank of accepted applicants — the 2012 freshman class has an average GPA of 3.4 to 3.9 and ACT scores ranging from 23 to 28. University Undergraduate Division Coordinator Gary Wood attributes the university’s freshman-to-sophomore year retention rate to the nurturing environment MSU provides for students as they begin their college careers.

“We have good academic advising, we have good tutor-

RIGHT-TO-WORK

M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Groups press Snyder to take right-to-work legislation to Mich.

Supreme Court

(517) 432-3010

FROM PAGE ONE

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Master’s degrees provide higher earnings but don’t replace experience

“If you want to score a high salary, you’re going to need a high portfolio and a lot of experience ... Just getting a degree doesn’t guarantee a heads up every time.”

Phil Gardner, MSU Director of Research for the Collegiate Employment Research Institute

to meet requirements.”

Graduate student Dan Clark said for him, attending graduate school was never a question as he wants to be a professor. But graduate school also has given him connections that might help him land a job.

“I feel like by the time I leave here, I will be well prepared to do meaningful work in the field I’m going into, and contribute to society and making a decent living for myself,” Clark said.

When giving advice on attending graduate school, a student should look at whether the degree will better their chances of achieving their goals in life, Klomparens said.

“Think about what you want to do and fi nd out if a master’s, doctoral or professional degree is required for what you want to do,” Klomparens said.

“Some people are so passionate about their field and study, and they want to further their education. It’s not always an economic situation where some just want to further their education, (it) depends on each person and what they want to do.”

ment Research Institute Phil Gardner stressed the importance of students getting internships and work experience in their field to better the chances of job placement after graduation.

“If you want to score a high salary, you’re going to need a high portfolio and a lot of experience,” Gardner said. “Just getting a degree doesn’t guarantee a heads up every time.”

At least five years of experience can lead to huge leaps in salary for bachelor’s degree holders, although it doesn’t quite equal the amount made by master’s degree holders.

Those with a bachelor’s in the field of architecture can increase their salary from an average of $36,000 to $64,000 through experience alone. By comparison, those with a master’s degree have

an average salary of $71,000.

Similar to Gardner, Neller supports students getting real-world experience before diving into a graduate program.

“The real-life experience is very important, and I think you need that before the next step in the process, which is the M.B.A. and will prepare you for the next tier after the M.B.A. program,” Neller said.

ing programs. Most freshmen have contact with tenured faculty during their fi rst year,” he said. “I think the campus generally has an environment of supporting students and students supporting each other.”

Media arts and technology senior Kara Parker said although she received B’s in high school, she was inspired to work harder in college.

“As I got to college, I was given classes that kind of fueled my passion,” Parker said. “I was never big on reading books or studying in the traditional sense, but MSU has given me the chance to get more handson experience — to pursue experiences that have helped me grow as a student.”

MSU Director of Admissions James Cotter said admissions

“We don’t define an academic requirement as defining the student, but rather their experiences clarify who they are.”

SPORTS EDITOR Kyle Campbell

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DEGREE

Is it worth it?

With the high costs of continuing one’s education into graduate school, the question remains as to whether the reward is worth the time and expenses.

“It really depends on what you want to do,” Dean of the MSU Graduate School Karen Klomparens said. “If you want to be a physician, M.B.A., lawyer or teacher you have to go to grad school

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don’t have to pay union dues, but will receive the same benefits unions work for.

Snyder wrote in the letter that the Michigan Civil Service Commission, a governorappointed, bipartisan commission that regulates all conditions of employment in the classified service, challenged the bill’s constitutionality when applied to classified state civil service.

He cited a section of the commission’s newsletter about its opposition to right-to-work legislation.

The section stated, “one can rest assured the matter will be fought out in the courts.”

MSU philosophy professor Leonard Fleck , who has spent time as an ethical consultant drafting congressional proposals on health care policy, said Snyder’s attempt to skip bring-

VOTING

Mayor pro tem seeks to ensure all offcampus students are reigstered to vote FROM PAGE ONE

Hagan Realty, Inc. , 927 E. Grand River Ave., said there are plenty of other places for people to get voter registration forms — such as the Secretary of State offi ce at 3315 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing — and doesn’t want to be burdened with paying a fi ne for

ing the case to the trial court level and heading straight to the Michigan Supreme Court could have been a political move since the court is a majority of Republicans, the party supporting right-to-work legislation. “(Snyder) may be expecting to get the decisions he wants there and avoid what you might call ‘unsavory’ publicity they might be faced with at the lower court level,” Fleck said.

Snyder said his questions are time-sensitive because contract negotiations between employers and workers under the new right-to-work law likely will begin as early as this summer.

Dan Clark, president of MSU’s Graduate Employees Union, said the right-to-work law won’t affect graduate students on campus until 2015, when their current contracts expire.

“Our financial resources will be hit a little bit, but (our members) value the things that we do for them, and we’ll still be around to represent them,” Clark said.

noncompliance.

“If you start putting things on us, where does it stop?” he said. “I don’t think it’s our position to do that.”

Hagan clarified that he’s willing to give out information about registration when students come to pick up keys, or on the leasing website.

“I don’t mind doing it,” he said. “I just don’t want to be required to do it.”

Triplett said the purpose is not to hand out more fi nes or citations but “to get people to comply with a very reasonable requirement.”

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Jim Cotter, MSU Director of Admissions

are geared toward well-rounded students, not just students who received 4.0s in high school.

“We don’t define an academic requirement as defi ning the student, but rather their experiences clarify who they are,” he said. “In our review process, we look at academic record, but we also look at what it is that a student brings to the table.

How are they going to make us better? When you look at our student population, I think that some of the most valuable lesson that our students learn

are things that they learn from each other.”

However, Cotter was hesitant to label the university as geared toward just one type of student.

“I could argue that Michigan State University is a great institution for a wide array of students, not just B students but A students and A+ students, and on occasion even a B- student,” Cotter said.

“The universit y is large, a nd w it h t h at l a r ge ne s s comes a tremendous amount of diversity.”

d here! a r u o y e r u t ure ct ews PPiic ate N t S e h t t c a t n Co your ad appear on the @ 432-3010

Level: 1

2

to have Sudoku page today.

3 4

1/30/13

SOLUTION TO TUESDAY’S PUZZLE

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 © 2013 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

STAT E NE WS.CO M | T HE STAT E N EWS | WEDN ESDAY, JA N UA RY 30, 2013 |

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DIVERSITY

MSU’s Flint medical campus expanding into downtown

By Samantha Radecki radeckis@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

At last Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting, the trustees unanimously approved plans for MSU’s College of Human Medicine, or CHM, to pursue a lease with Uptown Reinvestment Corporation, or URC, and expand the college’s Flint campus to the former site of the Flint Journal.

Currently, the Flint campus’ hub and administrative offices are located in Flint’s Hurley Medical Center, where medical students perform clinical exercises and train at that location, as well as at the McLaren Regional Medical Center and the Genesys Regional Medical Center, said John Molidor, assistant dean for the Flint Campus of MSU-CHM and professor of psychiatry of MSU-CHM. Along with the college’s growing public health division, the CHM is expanding into a 40,000 square-foot space in a building in downtown Flint.

Molidor said the location will host the CHM’s administrative offices, teaching and study spaces and the public health division.

Rent will cost $300,000 per year and will be paid with a grant, according to the Office of Communications and Brand Strategy. The building’s additional operational costs of about $400,000 will be paid for by MSU. This is a 20-year lease between MSU and the University Research Corridor, and finalizations still are being worked out.

URC president Tim Herman said he expects the lease to be settled by April 1, with construc-

N EWS B RI E F

MSUFCU AND ECECU MERGER ALMOST FINALIZED Plans to merge MSU Federal

3

Marketing and advertising freshman Adam Lam, far right, pauses during the rice-eating competition as hospitality business sophomore Ashley Lim encourages him from the side Tuesday at Holden Hall during an “Amazing Race” organized by the Vietnamese Student Association.

tion hopefully commencing this summer and MSU able to move into the building by summer 2014.

The expansion is exciting many at MSU and in Flint who believe the move will benefit not only MSU, but the Flint area as well.

“I think it’s very important; it brings a major university to the city of Flint, and I think it would be beneficial for both,” Trustee Faylene Owen said.

Dean Sienko, the CHM associate dean for Prevention and Public Health, said MSU reached out to the Flint community and asked how it could address the area’s needs.The the public health division composed a plan to provide access to health education and address poverty issues, he said.

Molidor said the new facility will allow interaction between medical and public health students to create a fluid relationship and understanding between the two fields.

He also said the CHM’s classes are growing, and the new building will be able to accommodate this increase.

The conversation has been on the table since at least 2009, Molidor said.

Brian Tesler, a resident of Flint and graduate student at the CHM’s Flint campus, said the city’s medical community is on the rise, and he is proud to be able to contribute to his hometown’s ascend.

“Flint means a lot to me, (and being able) to better the community and give people better access to their health care,” Tesler said. “It’s going to be beneficial.”

PHOTOS BY JUSTIN WAN/ THE STATE NEWS

Event promotes Vietnamese culture

By Lilly Keyes keyeslil@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

Tuesday evening, the normally quiet basement of Holden Hall was filled with students running laps through the brightly colored hallways, laughing and screaming while toting 25-pound bags of rice.

“I have a cramp,” Vietnamese Student Association, or VSA, member Adam Lam yelled as he fanned himself and sprinted to reach his partner. “I’m going to need to take a shower.”

Minutes later, Lam’s partner Ashley Lim, a hospitality business sophomore, put her arms through his as Lam shoveled down heaping spoonfuls of rice, racing to win the rice-eating competition.

Credit Union, or MSUFCU, and Eaton County Educational Credit Union, or ECECU, are almost finalized. Mergers from both credit unions received approval from regulatory agencies Monday.

ECECU members must approve the transfer in

February.

This proposal began when ECECU started having financial difficulties after its CEO retired.

Executive Vice President and spokesperson for MSUFCU April Clobes said this proposal is the best scenario

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

LOCAL VIDEO STORES DON’T SWEAT STREAMING

About 20 students showed their competitive sides for the VSA’s Amazing Race event — an obstacle course race at Holden Hall. Challenges ranged from a traditional Vietnamese dance-off to a Vietnamese language matching game.

Although the competition was geared toward promoting traditional Vietnamese culture, club President Nga Dang said students from many cultures attended.

“I’ve learned the numbers and the colors, and I eat the food,” said Stella Lo, VSA treasurer and Chinese student. “(The VSA) is for all kinds of people.”

More online …

To see a video of the event, visit statenews. com/multimedia.

for both credit unions.

“By merging with MSUFCU (and) ECECU, members still can be served, and most of the workers can keep their jobs,” Clobes said. “There are already about 11,000 MSUFCU members in the Eaton County area, so this will benefit them

Packaging sophomore Daniel Jiang tries to clear his throat at the rice-eating competition Tuesday at Holden Hall during an “Amazing Race” organized by the Vietnamese Student Association.

in having a branch in their local area.”

Clobes also said if the proposal is approved, it likely will not affect MSUFCU student customers, and no additional branches will be added on campus.

“The only addition of

buildings we are adding is a branch location in Charlotte, which is 20 miles down I-69 South,” Clobes said. “This merging was mainly done to help the Eaton County members get the service they need.”

CHRISTINE LAROUERE

Crossword

L.A. Times Daily Puzzle

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

By Isabella Shaya shayaisa@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

As more students turn to online sites for a cheaper way to watch movies, local theaters and movie rental stores might be hit by the shift.

More than 27 million U.S. customers are subscribed to Netf lix, according to Netflix’s 2012 fi nancial statement released last week. The number of customers increased by more than 2 million between its third and fourth quarters in 2012, and rose by 5.48 million since the fourth quarter in 2011.

Brian Ballast, district manager for the Lansing-area Family Video, said many of the customers of the Family Video locations in Lansing are MSU or Lansing Community College students.

But the number of young movie renters might dwindle as Netfl ix rises in popularity.

Zoology junior Kelly Sweeney said going to the movies is both inconvenient and costly.

Sweeney said she likes Netfl ix because she pays about $8 per month and is able to watch as many movies as she wants.

This is about the same price as a single movie ticket.

“Sometimes it’s just so expensive — you spend $20 just for popcorn,” Sweeney said. “I can fi nd other ways to spend $20, or go to the movies for a couple hours.”

Tom Leach, owner of Video to Go, 300 N. Clippert St., Suite 18, in Lansing, said the number of rentals has been decreasing gradually as online options increase.

“It’s changed quite a bit over the past few years,” Leach said. “Streaming (videos are)

DANYELLE MORROW/THE STATE NEWS

Haslett resident Susan Russick looks for a newly-released movie Tuesday in Video to Go, a movie store located in the Frandor Shopping Center, 300 N. Clippert Ave, Suite 18, in Lansing. Russick said the selection of movies at the store encourages her to shop there instead of online or at a smaller store.

affecting more (of) our newer releases compared to our older products.”

Redbox is another popular system used to rent movies, where customers can reserve a movie online and pick it up a Redbox kiosk, which are located in many grocery and convenience stores.

According to The Numbers box office data, the amount of movie theater tickets sold increased from 1.30 to 1.37 billion from 2011-2012, and the projected total for 2013 is 1.43 billion.

Despite new technology, local theaters and movie rental businesses still offer some incentives to keep students interested.

Leach said Video to Go’s more than 30,000 movies and unique selections, including Shakespeare and a Criterion Collection, are what keep customers

coming to the store.

Ballast said Family Video hasn’t seen a dramatic decrease in the number of customers.

“I think a lot of people still like to come in and have interactions with our staff and we can provide a lot of information,” Ballast said. “We also get movies the day they come out, (and with) Netfl ix or Redbox, you have to wait (about) 30 days after the movie comes out to get it.”

And unless a movie is pirated, the theaters and movie stores are the fi rst to get the movies, said Patrick O’Boyle , promotions and marketing manager for NCG Cinemas.

“Students and young people in general want to see movies first,” O’Boyle said. “Other than illegal pirated movies, theaters are the places where they see movies like Harry Potter and ‘‘‘The Hunger Games.’”

ACROSS 1 Net help pages, briefly 5 County counterpart, in Canterbury 10 Boring 14 Longtime Stern rival 15 Little bits 16 Baltic capital 17 New Orleans team confused?

20 __ Who 21 Little bits 22 Silly 23 Musical quality 25 Chooses 26 New York team punished?

31 Fail to mention 32 Picky eaters of rhyme 33 Different 36 “Network” director 38 Old West mil. force 39 Andrea Bocelli, e.g.

41 Half a fly 42 More than a sobber 45 Small or large 46 Indianapolis team stymied?

48 Loads to clean 51 Person in a sentence, say 52 Convention pin-on 53 Heroic poems 56 “Homeland” airer, briefly 59 San Diego team upset?

62 Hardly friendly 63 Go on and on

64 Take on 65 Golf rarities 66 Fur fortune-maker 67 Football positions

DOWN 1 Punch source 2 Indian nursemaid 3 Being alone with one’s thoughts 4 IRS ID 5 TV drama about Alex, Teddy, Georgie and Frankie Reed 6 Vagabond 7 News piece 8 X-ray units 9 Linguistic suffix 10 Pickled 11 Purple __: New Hampshire state flower 12 Word with travel or talent 13 Underworld 18 Zippy flavor 19 Most nasty 24 Bone: Pref.

25 NH summer hours 26 Quite a blow 27 Tall runners 28 Footnote ref.

29 Mount Narodnaya’s range 30 __ orange 33 Thin paper 34 Nap 35 Slave Scott 37 Like many omelets 40 “Mi casa __ casa”

43 Gore and Hirt 44 Stock market VIP? 46 Casual wine choices 47 Not bad, not good 48 Modern witch’s religion 49 For this purpose 50 Old, as a joke 53 Goofs 54 Exam sophs may take 55 Colon, in analogies 57 Sheep together 58 Keats works 60 Org. concerned with greenhouse gas 61 Ally of Fidel

Get the solutions at

statenews.com/puzzles

4 | THE STAT E N E WS | W ED NES DAY, JANUARY 3 0, 201 3 | STATE N E WS.COM

Opinion

Featured blog Game day extremes

“Football is an understandable craze — it is fun to watch and is a great outing with friends and family. It provides us with entertainment and can unite us on the teams we support, and, of course, against the referees. But some fans get so worked up about a game you have to wonder — why?”

OU R VOICE | E DITORIAL

NONCOGNITIVE TESTS HIGHLIGHT TRUE INTELLECT EDITORIAL BOARD Andrew Krietz EDITOR IN CHIEF Katie Harrington OPINION EDITOR Greg Olsen OPINION WRITER Derek Blalock STAFF REPRESENTATIVE Omari Sankofa II MINORITY REPRESENTATIVE RuAnne Walworth STAFF WRITER

H

ave you e ve r heard the expression, “I’m just not very good at taking tests?”

Did you ever worry about taking standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT, for fear that you wouldn’t get into the college of your choice if you did poorly on them?

Fortunately, anxieties such as this might become a thing of the past when it comes to making the grade.

During the past decade, many colleges, including the University of Southern California, have begun developing new noncognitive assessments to measure certain skills — such as leadership or the ability to meet goals — that ordinary tests do not.

Typically in the form of selfevaluations and short essays, these new methods attempt to do more than evaluate how much information a student knows, but rather how they learned it.

However difficult imagining this new system for evaluating intelligence on a collegiate level might be, when you consider the opportunities it presents for certain students, it’s hard not to be supportive of these colleges’ aim.

As technology develops, it’s becoming possible to more accurately measure intelligence, or what it means to be intelligent, using more than just performance-based testing.

Present-day college admission officers want to know more about applicants besides past grades, and universities

EDITORIAL CARTOONIST

ANDY CURTIS curtisa7@msu.edu

EDITORIAL CARTOONIST

always have expected their students to be motivated, sharp-witted and hungry for new challenges.

Standardized test scores and GPAs might be able to highlight a portion of an applicant’s talents or work habits, but they do not predict his or her longterm potential.

For years, the concept of evaluating a student’s potential for success based on anything other than their academic past was ignored by university admission officers— not because it was thought of as being less important, but because it was more difficult and less understood.

Because of modern studies, however, this argument slowly is losing weight.

Neuroscience studies now support the use of noncognitive assessments to gauge applicant intelligence and suggest the attributes demonstrated are intertwined with those found using traditional testing.

A lt hough noncog nitive methods offer admission offices contemporary ways to evaluate college applicants, these practices should not become new barriers where students feel they must excel.

Nearly 3 million SAT exams were administered in the 2011-12 school year, bringing with them a great burden of stress on each individual that participated.

As key of a role as non-academic skills, such as leadership, should hold when conducting an intellectual assessment, making sure the students colleges accept possess a balance of both should be the ultimate goal of admission officers.

Just so you know ■■

TUESDAY’S POLL RESULTS No 30%

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One 23%

None 74% Yes 68%

— RuAnne Walworth, State News reporter Read the rest online at statenews.com/blog.

No 27% I don’t know 5% 0

10

20

30

40 50 60 PERCENT

70

80

OPINION COLUMN

Total votes: 62 as of 5 p.m. Tuesday

TODAY’S STATE NEWS POLL Do you consider yourself a good test taker?

To vote, visit statenews.com.

Comments from readers ■■

“E.L. both ‘City of the Arts’ and home to MSU” I believe most permanent residents and students alike would like a more interesting downtown where there were places appealing to everyone, although the latest cool music tends to be generation specific. But the city’s aggressive attempts to spend money to make this happen has just been a waste of money, and the “City of the Arts” label has been a joke. Personally I like that the City Center II disaster zone now has a “City of the Arts” sign over the blight, instead of the “development coming soon” sign. But like most true lovers of the arts, I have a wicked sense of humor. (comment continued at statenews.com) Eliot Singer, Jan. 28 via statenews.com

I don’t understand, Mr. Singer, why you and the Public Response folks hate East Lansing with such vitriol at every turn, denigrating every aspect of life here, while claiming to be championing its people. It’s one thing to not like the government or how that government is running the city, but in the last 20 years have you found anything positive to say about any aspect of life here as it is, as opposed to how you think it should be?

Commenter, Jan. 21 via statenews.com

Don’t be “that guy” in the cafeteria

F

ting alone, try not to sit at a large table. You’re restricting the seating options of large groups of people when you take up seats around you that you don’t need, and at times such as dinner rush, those seats are sorely needed. Plus, you look Some of them, like the newly- extra lonely if you’re sitting solo at remodeled Brody or Shaw cafete- a table for eight. Just saying. rias, offer a wide variety of food One thing I’ve observed recentoptions and contemporary aes- ly was not something I expected thetics in the form of brightly- to see, nor was it something you colored bowl-shaped chairs you might think of as bothersome. It might otherwise only is, though, and it seems find in an outdated GUEST COLUMNIST to happen more freIKEA catalogue. Othquently than I’d like to er cafeterias do not admit. I mean, if we’re feature the same luxbeing honest here, this uries, but all camone’s not that difficult to pus dining halls have manage. If you’re listenone thing in common ing to music or watching besides tables, chairs a video on your phone and food — students. or computer, for the sake Depending on what KIRA BUCKSBAUM of those around you, use bucksba1@msu.edu time of day you go to headphones. eat, your cafeteria You would think that’s might be nearly empty or packed to just common sense, right? Unfortucapacity. Either way, there always nately, I have had the displeasure are at least a few handfuls of fel- of listening to poor-quality speaklow diners. Since the new semester ers blasting quality classics such as began, I’ve tried to make an effort “Call Me Maybe” and “Gangnam to be more observant of my sur- Style” on multiple occasions, usuroundings (you know, New Year’s ally from the phones of unapoloresolution nonsense). Taking my getic diners who apparently want new perceptive prowess to the caf- to share their impeccable music eteria, however, has opened my taste with the world. All right, we eyes to a number of appalling hab- get it. Your music is an expression its that said fellow diners seem to of who you are and is something possess. you should be proud of, no matter Of course, not everyone behaves how bad your taste might be. Now rudely in the cafeterias, but the please stop infl icting it on those few who do have led me to ques- trying to eat in peace. tion my faith in human decency.

One fi nal piece of advice deals Okay, maybe that’s taking it too with an annoyance I’m sure everyfar. But I do feel embarrassed to one experiences at least once or be lumped together with people twice in the cafeterias. If you have who apparently don’t know how a loud, shrill laugh, and a modto behave themselves in public. erately-sized radius of students So I’ve compiled a few tips — around you have the pleasure of mere suggestions, if you will, on hearing it, try to lower your volhow one might avoid being that ume before eardrums start burstguy in the cafeteria during din- ing left and right. ner tonight.

Half the people around you will The first piece of advice I offer is be laughing at you, and half of something that, hopefully, is com- them will want to duct tape your mon sense to most people. After mouth shut. I know your laugh is seeing quite a few tables littered something that can’t be helped, but with leftovers, though, I suppose it should be taken into account that it needs to be said. The cafeteria not everyone around finds the joke workers provide many services to quite as funny as you do. This rule the diners, but playing waiter or also applies to girls with extremely waitress isn’t one of them. They high pitched squeals — you know don’t come around and clear the the ones I’m talking about. tables after you’re done eating.

Although there are other rude In this situation, the culprits behaviors I have witnessed in the very well might be local high cafeterias, such as holding up lines school students or residents of by trying to talk on the phone and East Lansing who are oblivious to order at the same time — seriouscafeteria courtesies, but honest- ly, people actually do that — most ly, this is one of the most unnerv- of these social gaffes easily can ing dining hall blunders I see far be avoided. too often.

We don’t all have to like each Another important aspect of the other, but when sharing a dining dining hall experience is who you hall with other students, we have eat with. Some people eat in large to be civil and considerate. groups, some with a few friends All one has to do is use comand some enjoy a nice meal in com- mon sense and basic courtesies, fortable solitude. But if you hap- and voilà, a pleasurable dining pen to be someone who prefers sit- experience for all. or any students who live or have lived on campus, you probably have, at some point, frequented MSU’s various dining halls.

We want to hear your thoughts.

MICHAEL HOLLOWAY hollow83@msu.edu

The State News welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must include your year and major, email address and telephone number.

Phone numbers will not be published. Letters should be fewer than 500 words and are subject to editing.

How to reach us Questions? Contact Opinion Editor Katie Harrington at (517) 4323070.

By email opinion@statenews.com; By fax (517) 432-3075; By mail Letters to the Editor, The State News, 435 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823

STAT E NE WS.CO M | T HE STAT E N EWS | WEDN ESDAY, JA N UA RY 30, 2013 |

Features

FEATURES EDITOR Matt Sheehan, features@statenews.com PHONE (517) 432-3070 FAX (517) 432-3075

A P PA R E L

MUSEUM

Artistic

After 10 years, RetroDuck keeps East Lansing presence

By Omari Sankofa II sankofao@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

MSU alumnus Sean Maday didn’t wait until graduation to start his first company. His T-shirt company, RetroDuck, was born in his Mayo Hall dorm room when he was a freshman at MSU. Now, celebrating its 10th anniversary this week, RetroDuck is run by Maday’s friends. Luke Hackney, president of the company and a childhood friend of Maday, said that Maday had his friends involved in the company from day one.

Maday also received help from Adam Van Lente, who designed and maintained the website, and Arun Das, who handled the T-shirt orders.

Hackney was the only one of the bunch who didn’t attend MSU. A student at Grand Valley State University and later Wayne State University, his duties were mostly regulated to online work, and commuting back and forth.

Das, who currently lives in Chicago and is directly involved with managing the company, said in an email that it was challenging maintaining a company while being a full-time student in college.

“During those years, RetroDuck was in its infancy and really required nurturing,” Das said in an email. “Balancing that, plus a full classload, was tough. That being said, working with a good group of people growing a business together that you love made it easier.”

By the end of his sophomore year, Maday moved the company from his small dorm room to the office at 210 Abbot Road, Suite 22, where the company is located today.

Hackney also said the business hit its biggest growing point in 2007, but the stress of the workload was balanced nicely with the money that came as a result.

AD ACCEPTANCE All ads are subject to editing, alterations, approval, or rejection

by The State News management.

abdillak@msu.edu ■■

For Alison Gass, curator at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, filling the new space with artwork is a lengthy process.

Gass travelled to art shows in New York City in search of the right fits for the museum walls.

“Sometimes I’ll just have a strong reaction to something, and it just feels right,” Gass said. “It has to be something that’s really pushing a new idea that helps you look at the world – it feels familiar, but at the same time is drastically different.”

The museum runs on a rotating schedule, with new exhibitions coming every three months.

Starting Feb. 21, two collections will come to the Broad Museum. The first, called “Diarios,” is a series of three paintings by Argentinian artist Guillermo Kuitca, who added to the pieces throughout three to six-month time periods. Naiza Khan, an artist from Pakistan, will reflect the violence she perceived in her hometown of Karachi with “Karachi Elegies,” a series comprised of paintings, sculpture and video.

“The two in February are great — they’re both solo shows,” Gass said. “One is from a Pakistani artist, and for the other one, it’s his first solo show in the U.S. His other shows have been in Argentina.”

Following the new work in February, the third exhibition, called “Pattern: Follow the Rules,” will come to Broad on March 21.

“It’s a group show of 16 artists from around the world,” Gass said. “It involves lines and patterns, but it is not designed to set up rules.”

For studio art freshman Victoria Spady, the walls of the Broad Museum have the space to welcome more exhibitions.

“They could use a little bit more art inside — there was lots of open space,” Spady said.

Journalism freshman Annie Sommer, howevver, said she was happy with the museum’s design. gn.

“I really like how the layout was presented, and I was very impressed by the art shown there,” Sommer said.

With new exhibitions, Gass said her main goal is to bring a new sense of culture to muse-umgoers they wouldn’t get otherwise.

“Part of the job is creating an innovative art museum that reflects work made all over the world,” she said. “We want to have a finger on the pulse of the contemporary art world.”

“Diarios” “Diarios” is a series of three paintings created by Argentinian artist Guillermo Kuitca, opening at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum on Feb. 22. Each painting was comprised of discarded canvases and took three to six months to complete.

“Karachi Elegies” Naiza Khan depicts her everyday life in her hometown of Karachi, Pakistan, with her series, “Karachi Elegies.” The exhibition displays a variety of sculptures, paintings and video, and opens Feb. 21.

“Pat “Pattern: Follow the Rules”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELI BROAD MUSEUM OF ART

“Pattern: Follow the Rules” “Patte encompasses the work encom from m more than a dozen different differe artists across the world. It attempts to bring a new m meaning to patterns commonly common seen in society and in i the h media, and will come to the Broad on March 21.

forward. Consider joining an organization that makes a difference.

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Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum to welcome three new pieces this spring

additions

“Those first couple of years we were making good money, especially for college students,” he said. “But I wouldn’t have said that we were gangbusters by any stretch. We were still a relatively small company.”

Das said despite the multiple responsibilities, he enjoyed his time with the company and global attention they received.

After graduating, Maday had to fulfill his military obligation as a member of the Air Force and ROTC. That’s when the company was handed to Hackney. Maday currently works as a Geospatial Engineer for Google in Boulder, Colo. “(Maday) moved on. Arun graduated and moved to Chicago. So I had to come in and help Adam, and I ended up taking over the company altogether,” he said.

Although the company has changed hands throughout the years, its presence still has a strong customer following. Patrick Duke, who runs the statewide DJ competition, Capital City DJ Olympics, has purchased T-shirts from RetroDuck for the past four years for his competition.

“These guys know what they’re doing,” Duke said.

“They keep me updated with the latest designs.”

Hackney said for the company’s future, he’s considering expansion.

“Adam and I are talking about starting up another location somewhere possibly on the West Coast, and maybe even another location in Michigan,” he said.

For now, however, he looks forward to servicing the local community.

“We love East Lansing and the community,” he said. “We definitely want to stay here.”

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7 — Now and for the next few months, it’s easier to find money for home improvements.

It’s better to maintain now than to fix it later (and cheaper).

Your career moves forward joyfully.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 9 — Your confusion at work is clearing up. Loved ones are even more supportive for the next few months. Allow yourself to be creative without concern for the end result.

words, movement or pictures.

Express yourself. Move forward on the basis of an agreement.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7 — Advance a work project.

It’s easier to get the money now. You can really be lucky in love and lucky at games at the same time.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 9 — You’ve managed to swim through raging emotional waters and now you’re rewarded. Your effectiveness increases. Others are listening.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 9 — Get the house the way you want it, right now and over the next few months. A financial matter moves forward now.

There’s plenty of work coming in, so embrace it.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 6 — Don’t get impatient.

You’ll advance in strides, especially around personal finances.

Give the eggs some time to hatch. Meditation brings peace.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is an 8 — You’re lucky in love for the next few months. You have a lot to say, so say it with

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8 — You’re gaining confidence each day. Projects that had been delayed will go

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is an 8 — Your dreams are prophetic. Exercise muscles you normally don’t use, so they don’t atrophy. Try something new. Increase your self-esteem and the influx of cash.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is an 8 — Career advancement is easier soon. You’ll acquire wisdom with the assistance of your team. Be willing to listen to new ideas, and don’t be afraid to take risks.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 6 — For the next few months, you’ll meet important, interesting people with powerful ideas that will stretch your mind. Pay close attention. Use your time with them wisely.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is an 8 — It’s all about your relationships. You can get farther than expected, together.

Organize your time around the people you love.

Employment

Employment

Employment

Apts. For Rent

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Apts. For Rent

Apts. For Rent

Houses/Rent

Personal

ARABIC SPEAKING telephone interviewers wanted for polling project the week of Feb 11-14. 5-9pm $15/hr.

Mitchell Research and Communications Inc. 517-351-4111

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

WEB DEVELOPERS, designers, and writers needed at The State News. Our web team is looking to hire those who are willing and eager to learn. No experience necessary.

Applicants must be a full-time MSU student.

Send resume to webmaster@statenews. com

2 BED/ 2 BATH, Private entrance, central air, pet friendly, fireplace, garages avail. Starting at $735.

Move-in special now, $150 off 2nd month’s rent. Limited availability.

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No pets.

CEDAR VILLAGE - Avail.

Fall ‘13. 2 bdrm, next to campus, heat included.

Great clubroom, covered parking. 517-507-3828. dtnmgt.com

SUBLEASE AVAIL lg Bdrm. $557/mth + elect at Glenwood Apts. MayJuly call 810-434-7104

ABOVE AVERAGE 613 Lexington Lic. 4, Eamon Kelly 714.654.2701 or enkellyjr@gmail.com HOUSE FOR Rent. 4 bdrm, 2 bath. $1400/mo.

517-482-3624

CONGRATULATIONS TO Phone Bank Systems’ December Phoner of the Month Byron Kristofferson!

Textbooks

A 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 asked to send money or provide credit card info.

BOARDING KENNELS looking to hire an energetic, caring personnel.

P/T, days, weekends, holidays. Exp helpful.

Send resume to Melissa 714 Gulick, Haslett, MI 48840.

CLARA’S RESTAURANT is now hiring. Apply in person M-Th btwn 2-4. 637 E. Michigan Avenue.

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High school diploma/ GED, reliable trans. & valid driver’s lic. req. Call 517-374-7670.

MSU GOLF Course hiring for all positions sprfall. Apply in person at Forest Akers West Shop 3535 Forest Rd, Lansing.

Must be avail thru Oct. Must get app in by 2/4.

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Must be 21 y/o. Set your own sched. Must own vehicle. Call today 888-ddi-work ext. 0

Apts. For Rent 1 & 2 bdrm apts near MSU. Remodeled kitchens available. Unfurn, D/W, heat + water incl in rent. Lic for 2 - rates begin at $318 per person avail for August 2013.

Call 517-489-3101.

1 AND 3 bedroom apartments available now. Rare openings in these two popular apartment styles. Huge living areas. Washer and Dryers in every home.

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3 BDRM luxury apts avail Aug ‘13 from $585.

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Call 517-489-3113. dtnmgt.com

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CRMC 517-337-7577, www.crmc1.com

COLLEGEVILLE TEXTBOOK Co. is your source for used books!

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$325

6 | THE STAT E N E WS | W E D NES DAY, JANUARY 3 0, 201 3 | STATE N E WS.COM

Sports

SPORTS EDITOR Kyle Campbell, sports@statenews.com PHONE (517) 432-3070 FAX (517) 432-3075

GYMNASTICS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Neal beats the odds, overcomes GUARDS ANSWER COACH’S CALL TO STEP UP injuries to become team leader

By Stephen Brooks

brook198@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS

By Zach Smith

■■

Before to the game at Illinois on Jan. 13, MSU women’s basketball coach Suzy Merchant held a meeting with her three primary guards: senior Jasmine Thomas, junior Klarissa Bell and sophomore Kiana Johnson to break down extra game film.

Fresh off the Spartans’ worst loss of the season to Penn State, the sixth-year coach implored the trio to be more aggressive as MSU’s offense has struggled to keep pace with its elite defense for much of the season.

In the four games since the Illinois contest, Bell and Johnson have responded with vigor, notching career-highs of 25 and 22 points, respectively, with Thomas also elevating her productivity significantly. Johnson or Bell have led the Spartans in scoring during that stretch, with the 5-foot-11 Bell being the leading rebounder in two games.

“Aggressiveness is what brings offense, I guess,” Johnson said Sunday after the loss to Purdue.

“You’ve got to score the ball — players score, not plays. I’m just

smithza9@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

Even after doctors told her that her gymnastics career was over, senior Taira Neal continued on and now is captain of the MSU gymnastics team.

The senior has had four elbow surgeries, a torn Achilles tendon, currently has a torn labrum in her shoulder and a back that has given her a lot of trouble.

“I’ve always dealt with injuries since my junior year in high school, so it’s a determination thing to always work through it and always come back,” Neal said.

“I’ve always had the attitude that I never want to give up.”

Before coming to MSU, Neal was the Illinois state champion on vault, floor, bars and all-around in 2008.

Head coach Kathie Klages said they have to be cautious with her in training, and Neal lets them know how she’s feeling on a daily basis.

“It’s difficult,” Klages said.

“She’s dealing with something every single day that she’s in this gym training. That shows you the determination and a desire that she has to lead this program.”

With eight freshmen and four sophomores, Neal is the only senior on this year’s squad.

Klages said Neal is the first captain the team has had in about seven years. “(In the past) we just felt like there was the need for each athlete to feel like they had a responsibility and a right to speak up and talk,” Klages said. “With such a young class, we really felt we needed a direction, a leader.”

Vault is her best discipline, and Neal has received a score of 9.8 or above in two of her three competitions this season.

In the mind of freshman Kate Filosi, Neal is definitely the right person to lead their team.

“She’s such a great captain, and she motivates me everyday,” Filosi said. “I learn more and more things from her every day. Especially on bars because if she sees

trying to do whatever my team needs me to do.”

Bell leads MSU by averaging 12.1 points per game while Johnson — inserted into the starting lineup for the first time this season against Purdue — is second at 11.2 points a game. Thomas averages 8.7points and leads the Spartans in assists.

“We’re doing a better job of getting in the paint,” Merchant said when asked to assess the guard play.

“That’s the one thing that we really worked on with those three in particular — staying aggressive. And certainly I think that comes from trying to get yourself to the free throw line or create opportunities for other people. I think those are the three that naturally will do it.”

With the guards stepping up their play as of late, Merchant’s concern now is them staying consistent. Just as Bell appeared to be hitting her stride from an offensive standpoint, she fell into a slump the past two games going a combined 4-for-20 shooting with eight total points. “(Bell) was really playing well ... and all of a sudden it was — I don’t know,” Merchant said. “I

don’t know if somebody out there said something to her. So if anybody’s out there that said something to her, take it back, because it’s affected her.”

Merchant praised Thomas’ ability to drive to the bucket and her pull-up jump shot but yearns for more offensive efficiency from the senior.

All season Merchant has talked about how MSU lacks a designated superstar or go-to player — which at times has helped the Spartans as much as it has hurt them. She acknowledged that role could be filled by Bell, Johnson or somebody else. Regardless of who it is, she desperately wants someone to take command of the team following back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

“The one thing that Kiana has that I feel like is different or unique is that she’s got swag — I guess?” Merchant said. “Confidence that is unwavering. She’s a winner, a champion in terms of how she thinks. Every night is her night, every shot is her shot, you know. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t make mistakes or screw up or miss shots, but she never shies away from the expectation that she puts on herself.”

MEN’S BASKETBALL STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO

During her third year with the team, Taira Neal competes on the uneven parallel bars against Pittsburgh on Feb. 11, 2012, at Jenison Field House. Neal now is a senior captain.

me do one thing wrong, she’ll tell me, and that will really help me for my next turn to be more successful.”

With all the injuries Neal has suffered, Filosi said Neal pushes her overcome her own pain.

“We’re both in the bar lineup right now, so I stand next to her and I’m like ‘Oh my God, my back hurts so bad,’ then I look at her and she’s all taped up and she’s like ‘My back hurts everyday of my life,’” Filosi said.

Neal was named second-team All-Big Ten a season ago, and said her main goal is to surpass that.

“I really want to make first team All-Big Ten,” Neal said. “I

really want to improve as a team because I think we’re better than we were put in the beginning (rankings).”

Through the years of performing with injuries, Neal has never given up.

As her MSU career draws to a close, she’s proud that she has been able to push through everything that has been thrown at her.

“I know I’m hurt a lot, but it’s never to the point where I feel like I need to stop,” she said. “I know a lot of gymnasts would give up if they had four elbow surgeries. It is kind of a weird and amazing thing.”

Izzo: Dawson is key to greatness

By Josh Mansour

Sophomore forward Branden Dawson smiles after collecting a pass Sunday at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana defeated the Spartans, 75-70, giving MSU its second loss in the Big Ten.

mansou13@msu.edu THE STATE NEWS ■■

Tom Izzo knew the facts.

Branden Dawson is recovering from major reconstructive knee surgery.

Gary Harris has had both shoulders pop out this season.

Denzel Valentine i battling the freshman wall.

Travis Trice has had a concussion, a broken nose and seen his weight plummet.

Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix have limited endurance with Payne’s limited lung capacity and Nix’s history with weight issues.

But when combined together, added up in succession and presented to him, the Spartans’ head coach began rubbing his face — a mix of pain and exasperation as the weight and totality of the tidal wave began crashing down.

Not only is the No. 13 MSU men’s basketball team’s (17-4 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) rotation small, it’s also potentially frail, with each of the seven players burdened in one way or another.

“It must be great coaching with all those problems,” Izzo joked.

“You can’t do it with four or five. You can do it with seven, (but) it’s harder. You get it to eight and it makes it a little more (feasible), and I think both our bigs are capable of coming in and playing minutes.”

Yet, as Izzo looks down his roster, seeking the key ingredient to help his team take the next step, he believes the answer could be the player attempting to overcome the biggest obstacle.

Dawson said he’s been watching more film and focusing on

ADAM TOOLIN/ THE STATE NEWS

simplifying his game — crashing the glass, attacking off the dribble and running hard.

“At first I wasn’t really believing coach when he told me I wasn’t running hard, or I wasn’t going to the glass,” Dawson said. “So I started watching film and started coming along and started believing in coach.”

Izzo made sure Dawson got the message by sending him a text message Monday night.

The sophomore checked his phone and saw an unexpected message from his head coach that brought a smile to his face.

“He just said ‘let’s get it rolling,’” Dawson said. “He wants

me to average 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds). I kind of smiled at that text because that’s a lot coming back off the injury that I had, but I’m not going to think about that.”

So even as Dawson improves his scoring and rebounding in conference play, Izzo still sees a greater ceiling for his sophomore — one that could be the key in pushing his team over the top.

“For us to go from good to great (Dawson) has to continue to take steps, cause he’s got way more in his tank,” Izzo said. “I don’t know if we’ll get it there, it’s not his fault, always, for what he missed out on, but he’s coming.”