Thursday 2/6/14

statenews.com |2/6/14 | @thesnews Michigan State University’s independent voice

Blood donations needed

Wrestling hits the road

Students donate to help Red Cross fill needs

MSU preps for weekend dual meets Sophomore 141-pounder Nick Trimble Casey Hull/The State News

sports, pg. 6

campus+city, pG. 3

Still catching ‘em all

Snyder asks to increase higher ed appropriations Governor recommends restoring some higher education funds in budget proposal

By Simon Schuster sschuster@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS

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Computer science sophomore Alex Hill goes through a deck of Pokémon cards before a tournament Wednesday at Hollow Mountain Comics, 611 East Grand River Ave. Hill is a part of the MSU Pokémon Club, which meets once a week to socialize and play the popular card game.

— Erin Hampton, SN See POKÉMON on page 5

football

21 RECRUITS COMMIT TO FOOTBALL TEAM

ANSING — In Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget recommendation released Wednesday, state officials called for MSU to receive a 6.1 percent increase in funding for the 2015 fiscal year.

Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley presented the recommendation before a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees.

This fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, MSU received about $249.6 million from the state.

MSU would stand to receive about $264.9 million in the 2015 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 — an increase of about $15.3 million — if Snyder’s recommendation is followed.

The increase in funding is not recommended unconditionally. The report said universities will have to limit tuition increases to 3.2 percent or less in order to receiving the additional money referred to as performance funding.

After tepid reactions to the modest funding increases of the past two fiscal years, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon viewed the current year’s recommendation hopefully.

“We are still reviewing the details of the proposal, and we agree it is imperative for the state to reinvest in higher education,”

Simon said in a statement. “This is a major step in the right direction, continuing the positive trend of increasing funding after years of reducing state aid.”

The first budget recommendation of Snyder’s term in office called for deep cuts in higher education appropriations, and MSU’s funding decreased 15 percent.

The two following years, universities received increases of less than 2 percent.

Snyder said the state “had to make some tough calls,” in reference to the $1.5 billion deficit he inherited as governor, but said the proposed increases were “significant.”

The new budget recommendation could leave MSU’s state funding about $18.8 million less than when the Governor entered office.

Adjusted for inflation, the difference increases to almost $27.9 million.

Snyder also announced his desire to create a $100 million competitive bond to encourage universities to increase the number of engineering graduates.

When questioned by Rep. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, State Budget Office Director John Nixon said the state needs to continue to “strategically invest” in higher education.

“We’d like to at least get (funding levels) back to where they were before the governor took office,” Nixon said.

See BUDGET on page 2 u

Lowered funding, rising cost $300

Million

By Zach Smith zsmith@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

It’s one of the only days of the year when a fax machine is relevant: national signing day.

Head coach Mark Dantonio and the MSU football program officially introduced one of the best classes in recent program history Wednesday with the commitment of 21 players.

“I don’t mean to disrespect our other classes, but this is a very powerful class in terms of players that can get on the field early and make a name for themselves,” Danto-

nio said. “We addressed some issues across the board based on graduation.”

A couple players, like fivestar defensive lineman Malik McDowell of Southfield. Mich., have committed to the Spartans, but have yet to officially send in their National Letters of Intent.

This is one of the most intimidating defensive line hauls of the Dantonio era, made up of Montez Sweat, Enoch Smith Jr., Robert Bowers and Wisconsin defector Craig Evans.

Da ntonio said Eva ns, a defensive tackle, could be an immediate contributor to what

was the second-best defense in the country a season ago.

“It’s a dominant class on the defensive line,” he said. “(They’re) going to continue to be one of the top defenses in the country.”

After finishing 2012 with a 7-6 record and victory in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, the MSU football team won 13 games en route to a Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl victory last season.

The extra attention of the No. 3 team in the nation was boosted when defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi won the Broyles Award for top assistant

coach.

Narduzzi said there are some times when he needs to lay on the prestige that the program has earned, but they give the recruit space to make their decision.

“You go into your daily business and do your job and you don’t worry about clout,” he said. “Right now we’re 0-0 and trying to work on the first win. Spartan nation has always been with us. They’ve got the bigger chests right now. Spartan nation is fired up about

See RECRUITS on page 2 u

$428

2009

2010

2011

COST PER CREDIT HOUR

2012

2013

2014

APPROPRIATIONS

GR APHIC BY PAIGE GRENNAN SOURCE: HOUSE AND SENATE FISCAL AGENCIES

utilities

gove rn m e nt

Heating bills increasing with drastic cold temperatures

team to review bwl handling of outages

By Geoff Preston

East Lansing resident and former BWL employee Larry Wallman speaks to the BWL Community Review Team about the Dec. 2013 ice storm on Wednesday at East Lansing Hannah Community Center.

gpreston@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

By Sara Konkel skonkel@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

With the heat pumping into offcampus homes surrounding MSU during the frigid months, utility bills are skyrocketing, and even more so than in previous years.

The high cost of this winter’s heating bills have some students grasping at straws to make their payments, DTN Area Director Emilie Wohlschied said.

“I think everyone is feeling the pinch as far as the awful winter that we’ve been having,” Wohlschied said.

For DTN-owned properties, some communities have the heat cost included in the rent, but the resident is responsible for footing the bill in some of the company’s other locations.

This year, the residents with the heat included in their bill are in luck.

Typically, the two payment options balance themselves out in the end, because the residents who pay for their heat have more control to adjust and conserve when possible.

Ways to save on heating costs: Turn down the thermostat while you’re sleeping and out of the house Open the curtains while sun is out Use a fan to circulate air, ceiling fans ideal Use weather strip around doors SOURCE: Consumer’s energy

However, with such severe temperatures, this year is not comparable to the last few, Wohlschied said.

Professional writing junior Sarah Waldrop is facing a tough break this winter paying for her heat.

With only one roommate of the possible three her apartment could hold, she said she is looking at a utility bill that will end up costing her about $20 more than it normally would be as a result of the sub-zero temperatures.

See HEATING on page 2 u

On Wednesday night, a committee of six community members featuring former East Lansing City Council members and community activists was appointed to review the handling of Lansing Board of Water and Light’s response to a December power outage.

The committee, dubbed t he BW L Com mun it y Rev iew Tea m, requested documents from BWL on Jan. 30 and said they expect to have them by Feb. 13. Michael McDaniel was appointed by Lansing Mayor Virg Benero to work on a report.

T he c om m it te e w i l l hold meetings at unspecified dates after receiving and processing those documents.

The power first went out after an ice storm hit the capitol area on Dec. 22 and, for some, power wasn’t restored until after the new year.

In all, 34,800 Lansing area residents lost power

Betsy Agosta /The State News

“We shouldn’t be treated as customers because that’s not what we are. We didn’t get to choose BWL.” Matt Oney, East Lansing resident

because of the ice storm. Community members told stories in the first meeting of having to throw out weeks worth of food and being in the dark and cold for the holidays.

Last month, Board of Water

and Light general manager Peter Lark apologized to a packed room in Hannah Community Center and said “answers will come when we have done a thorough review of how we handled this histor-

ic, and painful outage.”

Lark and other BWL members were not at Wednesday’s meeting to answer questions about the disappointment in BWL. “We shouldn’t be treated as customers because that’s not what we are,” said East Lansing resident Matt Oney. “We didn’t get to chose BWL.” Oney also said his faith in Lansing city government has also

See BWL on page 2 u

2 | T he State News | thursday, february 6, 2 01 4 | state n e ws.com

News brief Vehicles damaged near Kellogg Center Two vehicles were damaged and some items were removed from one of them around 12:45 a.m. on Jan. 31 at ramp four near Kellogg Center, according to MSU Police.

The first vehicle belonged to a 21-year-old MSU employee.

The vehicle had damage to the passenger side and the driver’s side mirror was broken. Items were removed from the car and thrown to the side.

The vehicle was a blue 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The damage is estimated at a total of $1,000.

The second vehicle was a 2011 gray Ford Focus.

The exterior mirrors were broken off, and the damage is estimated at $1,000.

The incident is still under investigation.

GEOFF PRESTON

statenews.com How to wear boots this winter season So, yeah, winter isn’t going anywhere soon. Every time we look up, there’s another fresh snowfall on campus.

When walking through the frigid temperatures, head down though campus, it’s hard not to notice the fancy variety of footwear on people’s feet.

April Jones

Three-day forecast

BUDGET

The first budget recommendation of Snyder’s in 2011 called for deep cuts to higher education from page one

University funding only earned a brief mention in Snyder’s presentation, in which the Governor highlighted Michigan’s economic and fiscal rebound under his administration.

The state ended the last fiscal year with nearly $1 billion in extra revenue. A multitude of voices have weighed in on what should be done with the extra cash in the weeks leading up to the Snyder’s presentation Wednesday.

The Governor recommended utilizing the $971 million in a plethora of areas, including $250 million toward road maintenance and repairs and $17.5 million to help pay Detroit’s pension liabilities in the next fiscal year.

Snyder also recommended adding $242 million to state savings. $120 million would go into the Budget Stabilization Fund known as the rainy day fund, and $122 million into the Health Savings Fund.

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley presented the Snyder administration’s tax recommendation. Although multiple bills have emerged in the legislature calling for reductions

BWL

E.L. Mayor Nathan Triplett: “I think in any emergency there are lessons that can be learned.” from page one

Thursday Cloudy High: 6° Low: 1°

Friday Partly Cloudy High: 18° Low: -1°

been shaken.

“I have very little confidence in the mayor of Lansing, and by association I don’t have confidence in this committee,” he said.

The lack of communication was also an issue for Oney, who said he emailed East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett and Mayor Pro Tem Diane Goddeeris, who responded quickly, but could not get

to Michigan’s income tax, the Executive Budget Recommendation avoided discussion of the income tax and recommended an increase in the homestead property tax credit at a cost of about $200 million.

The credit is used to reduce the cost of property taxes for some homeowners. Calley said the tax credit increase would bring “immediate and permanent tax relief” and a third of the beneficiaries would be seniors.

The recommendation calls for the credit to be implemented retroactively and applied to 2013 fiscal year taxes.

Although he’d like to see more, Singh said he was pleased at many of the governor’s funding increases but doesn’t consider them a boon to Michigan residents.

“He’s not doing anything new,” Singh said. “What he’s doing is giving money back to people he took it from.”

Snyder said the recommendation was about “fueling Michigan’s future in a very positive and constructive way.”

But MSU professor Sanjay Gupta, an expert in corporate and individual tax policy, said if economic revitalization is the governor’s goal the money would be better spent increasing access to higher education.

“If we could, for instance, use those funds to support students who are struggling to make college because of financial constraints, this would be a great way for us to actually be able to invest rather than disinvest in higher education,” Gupta said.

through to BWL on the phone.

Triplett said while he thinks the city did well to respond to the ice storm, no emergency situation is perfect.

“I think in any emergency there are lessons that can be learned,” Triplett said. “The portions of the response the city had control over, we did very well ... but again there is no emergency process that goes perfectly.”

Triplett expressed disappointment in BWL as well.

“There is no way that in 2013 and 2014 people are going to accept that this is the best we can do,” he said. “There were things both with the preparation, response and communication that could have been done better.”

RECRUITS

Several strong prospects signed on to MSU, including star defensive line recruits and some offensive players from page one

this season and where this recruiting class is going.”

Other than the strong defensive line prospects, the Spartans signed four offensive linemen, four linebackers, three members of the secondary and a pair of running backs.

A few players garnered comparisons from Dantonio to former Spartans, like Gerald Owens to T.J. Duckett, Vayante Copeland to Darqueze Dennard and Matt Morrissey with Blair White.

Also officially joining the Spartans is linebacker Byron Bullough, who follows in the footsteps of his grandfather,

Heating

Some property management companies sent their residents suggestions to save on heating bills from page one

“I constantly have to turn the heat on or have it running,” Waldrop said. “It’s pretty expensive to split for just two people.”

But there are a few things students can do to lessen the monthly burden they face when it comes to utility payments.

Wohlschied recommended pulling furniture and rugs away from the heating vents to allow as much airflow as possible.

Double-checking the windows to make sure that they are completely shut and locked can also make a huge difference, she said.

Officials from CRMC also addressed the issue of excessively high heat bills in an statement released to residents of all the company’s

Continued father, uncle and two brothers.

Two recruits enrolled at MSU early, tight end Matt Sokol and linebacker Chris Frey.

After taking part in 5 a.m. workouts, the first few weeks of college have been an eye-opening experience for Sokol.

“Since I’ve been here, I realized what it takes to be a football player,” Sokol said. “From day one, every single guy is giving everything he’s got. The toughness factor is an aroma in the air. It’s something that every guy is trying to meet. There’s no room for anything else than that.”

Sokol played quarterback in high school, but is making the transition to tight end and getting in preseason receiving reps with quarterback Connor Cook this spring.

Dantonio said he brings an added dimension to the tight end position due to his knowledge of the offensive playbook.

“He threw the ball around right off the bat, and I immediately knew he was going to be a tight end,” he said. “He’ll understand offensive concepts down the field relative to the passing game.

He can be that mismatch guy as a tight end.”

ESPN ranked the Spartans’ class No. 29, fourth best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State.

Dantonio and Narduzzi both said the rankings don’t matter, and they’re excited for the guys they got and how they perform on the field.

For Sokol, Dantonio was the only coach he wanted to play for.

“When I was being recruited, I was being treated not just as a player but as a person,” he said.

“The reputation MSU had was the reason I committed. This is a college atmosphere like nothing else I’ve experienced. This is a dream school for me.”

“I constantly have to turn the heat on or have it running. It’s pretty expensive to split for just two people.”

Sarah Waldrop, Professional writing junior

properties.

They encouraged students to move all items away from heating vents and registers to allow more ventilation throughout the room.

CRMC also urged students to make sure Consumers Energy, Lansing Board of Water and Light and other local energy companies aren’t giving them an estimate on their monthly bill as opposed to an actual read of money owed.

On its website, Consumers Energy offered several tips to conserve energy and keep bills at a manageable level, including refraining from overheating the living space by using supplemen-

tal heating equipment such as a space heater for perpetually cold areas.

Other options the company suggests to save money and conserve heat include piling on the blankets, dialing down the thermostat slightly and even setting a ceiling fan at a slow speed, which moves warm air around the room without causing a cold breeze.

Turning thermostats down at night, opening curtains during the day when the sun is out and using weather strips around doors to lock heat inside and keep cold air out also will help make the heating bills more manageable.

Crossword

VOL . 104 | NO. 187

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

Index

Saturday Cloudy High: 21° Low: 17°

Campus+city 3 Opinion 4 Sports 6 Features 5 Classifieds 5

nn

editorial staff (517) 432-3070 Editor in chief Ian Kullgren managing editor Lauren Gibbons DIGITAL managing editor Celeste Bott Design editor Becca Guajardo PHOTO EDITOR Julia Nagy ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Danyelle Morrow Opinion editor Rebecca Ryan campus EDITOR Nolly Dakroury City Editor Katie Abdilla sports editor Beau Hayhoe Features editor Anya Rath Copy Chief Maude Campbell n n

Professional staff General Manager Marty Sturgeon, (517) 432-3000 Editorial adviser Omar Sofradzija, (517) 432-3070 CREATIVE adviser Travis Ricks, (517) 432-3004 Web adviser Mike Joseph, (517) 432-3014 Photo adviser Robert Hendricks, (517) 432-3013

In the article “President Obama to sign farm bill in East Lansing” (2/4/14) Michigan Agricultural College should be Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science.

Level: 1

2

3 4

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

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, Monday through Friday during fall, spring and select days during summer semesters. A special Welcome Week edition is published in August.

Across

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.

to contact the state news (517) 432-3000 For distribution/circulation questions, email distribution@ statenews.com nn

Copyright © 2013 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich. n n

Business Manager Kathy Daugherty, (517) 432-3000

Advertising

advertising adviser Colleen Curran, (517) 432-3016

(517) 432-3010

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

Advertising manager Brandon Ventimiglia

SOLUTION WEDNESDAY’S PUZZLE SOLUTION TO TO WEDNESDAY’S PUZZLE

2/6/14

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 © 2014 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

1 Easter season: Abbr.

4 62-Across coat 7 Interest fig.

10 Long, on Molokai 11 Experience with enthusiasm 13 Pi follower 14 “Out” crier 15 Chic “Bye” 16 Charged particle 17 Detox place 19 Bridal emanations 21 Reminiscent of venison 22 Dweeb 23 Red state?

26 Easy gaits 29 Given a hand 30 Annabella of “The Sopranos” 31 Chased (after) 32 Whirling 34 Farm feed 35 Computer that once came in “flavors” 37 Biscuit, maybe 38 Strokes a 62-Across 39 Greek cheese 40 First name in oneliners 41 Actress Charlotte et al.

42 Fountain near the Spanish Steps 44 Buddy 45 __’acte 48 Flute part 50 Big enchilada

57 Babysitter’s handful 58 New evidence may lead to one 59 Fawn spawner 60 With 62-Across, a hint to the starts of this puzzle’s four longest Down answers 61 Slogan sites 62 See 60-Across

48 Rustle 49 “Take __!”

50 Aflame 51 Angst-filled genre 52 Killer Birds, e.g.

53 Calendar abbr.

54 Recipe instruction 55 Soft murmur 56 Barrel at a bash

Down

1 Bit of mudslinging 2 Fruit of ancient Persia 3 Vatican Palace painter 4 Pet rocks, e.g.

5 News agcy. since 1958 6 Regret bitterly 7 Preceding 8 Numbskull 9 Bunches 11 Daedalus’ creation 12 Combativeness 18 Cremona artisan 20 Red Square honoree 23 Lacking purpose 24 Juice extractor 25 Grab, as a line drive 26 D.C. network 27 Like most bawdy films 28 Lays down the law 33 Fig. on 26-Down 36 Gave in 38 Groom with care 43 Unmoving 44 Hull stabilizers 46 “__ bien!”

47 Big name in IRAs

Get the solutions at

statenews.com/puzzles

stat e ne ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | t hu rs day, f eb rua ry 6 , 2014 |

Campus+city research

3

campus Editor Nolly Dakroury, campus@statenews.com CITY EDITOR Katie Abdilla, city@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

charity

Professor takes time to help Blood donors needed by Red cross abandoned animals in Detroit

By Michael Kransz

Microbiology senior Nicholas Roof holds a stress ball after Lansing resident Rebecca Durham finishes inserting a needle during a blood drive Wednesday, at Holmes Hall as part of the Blood Battle against Michigan.

mkransz@statenews.com

By Olivia Dimmer odimmer@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

For political science professor Laura Reese, volunteering to help abandoned animals started as a part-time hobby.

Many years later, Reese has been a foster parent for more than 50 animals, a researcher and activist for animal welfare and one of many volunteers who spends her own time and money caring for a colony of feral cats in Metro Detroit.

The inspiration first came from her daughter, who at the age of 12 insisted the pair volunteer to take care of animals at a local shelter.

Reese began to foster animals until their eventual adoption. Since she began, she estimated she has seen 50 to 60 animals adopted under her care — minus the cat, Winston, her family decided to keep as their own.

Reese, also the director of MSU’s global urban studies program, has recently turned her attention to the massive animal welfare issue that exists in Detroit in her latest research.

Per a survey of local animal welfare groups, Reese has estimated about 7,500 dogs and 18,000 cats that live as strays on the streets and in the abandoned buildings of Detroit.

“Partly it’s a health concern for animals and potentially humans because of bites and the transmission of parasites,” Reese said. “It’s just another visible marker of disorder and deterioration in addition to the abandoned buildings, crime rates ... (it is) disheartening for the residents.”

Reese said the homeless animal population is much too large for Detroit to handle on its own, as

the city has only four animal control officers.

Reese said the hope lies with the numerous volunteer organizations that have been attempting to help the abandoned animals and educate the human residents about how to solve the problem on a large scale.

In Mexicantown, for example, she said it has become culturally acceptable to see street dogs in the neighborhood.

“In Mexico and Latin America, street dogs are fed and cared for but never brought inside,” Reese said. “Some communities need education for what is proper care for their animals.”

Reese also noted some people will keep their dogs chained up behind their houses without proper shelter. Volunteer organizations such as C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc., exist to educate dog owners on how to keep their animal safe and warm and also provide fencing, straw and dog houses to those who cannot afford it.

As for dealing with the stray population, Reese advocates for potential dog owners to choose adoption over designer dogs in stores.

She also has a hand in a volunteer group that spayed and neutered a colony of 35 feral cats living in the woods along Rogue River.

Reese and the other volunteers feed and care for the cats so they can live humane lives.

She said an individual’s treatment of animals reflects on their empathy for others.

“After all, the humanity of man is determined by how they treat animals,” Reese said.

THE STATE NEWS nn

The American Red Cross recently declared an “urgent need” for blood donors, which coincides with a blood drive competition that pits MSU against rival University of Michigan.

In a statement issued Monday, the Red Cross said its blood supply is short more than 25,000 units because January winter storms forced the cancellation of about 770 blood drives.

With the shortage, all blood collected in Michigan during January was distributed to hospitals as soon as it came in, said Todd Kulman, a Red Cross communications manager. “It’s the blood on the shelves now that saves lives when we have emergency situations,”he said.

Students helped recoup blood supply by donating at on-campus drives on Wednesday for the competition, which ends on Feb. 28.

No preference freshman Alex Dworman, who gave blood, said the near-painless “pinch” of the needle and the short time it takes to donate is well worth it. “The reward is greater than the cost,” Dworman said. “Donating blood is really not a big deal, but at the same time, it’s one of the best things you can do.”

Red Cross registered nurse Jodie Miller said during her time working in a hospital, she witnessed how crucial hospital blood reserves are.

“Being a registered nurse, you really have that feeling of how important it is,” Miller said.

Even with the snowstorm Wednesday, about 27 people donated at Hannah Administration Building blood drive. Miller said the resilience of donators always surprises her.

“It’s always surprising on days like this, when you think people

Sierr a L ay/The State News

won’t show and they do,” Miller said.

The on-campus blood drives were sponsored by an MSU student club, the Pre-Physical Ther-

$

apy Association.

Association President and kinesiology senior Molly Robbins said they’re encouraging students to donate because of the need and

2

loss against U-M last year.

“Last year we lost, so we’re really encouraging our members to get out and beat U-M,” Robbins said.

THURSDAYS

10” 2 Bucks 1 ITEM PIZZA Just

$2 Domestic Pints

3pm to Close!

UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND ARTS FORUM Friday, April 4, 2014 MSU Union, 9am – 5pm

Students register

by Sunday Feb 16th Sign up online at: urca.msu.edu/uuraf

VOTE FOR US STARTING FEBRUARY 17TH!

4 | The State N e ws | t hursday, February 6, 201 4 | state n e ws.com

Featured blog

Opinion Letter to the editor nn

Friend of fatally shot student outraged by university’s response I’m sorry, but I don’t want to express anything but my outrage about this matter and how it was handled.

Above all, Dominique Nolff was a Spartan, and the way the school handled this matter makes it seem like they don’t care about their students.

I still haven’t received any information from MSUPD or ELPD about his murder. I didn’t even receive the alerts that were supposed to be sent out to the students.

In all honesty, this was a campus shooting, and the campus wasn’t even shut down like it was supposed to.

Cedar Village Apartments, near where the shooting occurred, are home to most likely all MSU students and is literally on the border of MSU’s campus.

Snyder and Phillips halls are directly across the street, so explain to me how was this not a campus shooting.

I understand the technicality of it being private property so its not a part of Michigan State’s campus.

But still, it had to do with two MSU students.

It seems to be that the university doesn’t care too much about their students. I haven’t even received an email response from the university’s president yet addressing the matter.

I surely did receive that email about the Rose Bowl and Big Ten championship victories though. This is ridiculous.

MSU and East Lansing police offered $20,000 to whoever had information leading to anyone involved with the victory riots in Cedar Village Apartments, but offered nothing to people who had information leading to the suspect responsible for Dominique’s death. Technically, the victory riot also wasn’t the university’s issue because it was “off-campus.”

Both of these situations happened outside of campus property as well as the shooting, but has the situation of more importance received the attention it deserves? Absolutely not.

Something needs to be done about this because this is absolutely absurd. I don’t even feel safe here anymore.

This shows me that Michigan State University cares more about its image than the student body and our safety.

“

MSU and East Lansing police offered $20,000 to whoever had information leading to anyone involved with the victory riots in Cedar Village Apartments, but offered nothing to people who had information leading to the suspect responsible for Dominique’s death.

Ryan Boudreaux, Communication sophomore, boudre27@msu.edu

George Zimmerman? A celebrity?

Opinion column

It’s clearer in the winter: CAMPUS IS OVERPOPULATED

After being caught up in one of the most controversial trials in U.S. history, the ex-defendant might want to lay low for a while. Or volunteer for a celebrity boxing match. George Zimmerman, who was acquitted on murder charges in death of Trayvon Martin, threw his name out to any celebrity that wants a piece of him.

— Matt Sheehan, State News staff reporter Read the rest online at statenews.com/blog.

guest columnist

T

Greg Monahan monaha32@msu.edu

his winter has been, to put it as delicately as I possibly can, an abhorrent disaster of monumental proportions. I’m about ready to walk around campus spraying aerosol cans into the air until the CFCs warm up the earth.

Anyone with me?

We’re more than a month into the semester that MSU hilariously refers to as its “spring” semester (you’re not fooling anyone, guys), and we’ve yet to have a week where campus wasn’t impacted significantly by sub-zero temperatures or a blizzard, or both.

I had class last week at 9 a.m. when there was a wind chill 25 degrees below zero and the entire student body was crossing its collective fingers that school would be called off. After all, even that college in Ann Arbor canceled class for the first time in more than 30 years.

But it wasn’t canceled, and when I made it to class and back that morning, on my drive home I remember thinking something along the lines of why would they cancel school? We’re from Michigan.

But on my drive home I passed the bus stop outside Holden Hall, which had so many people gathered outside of it that for a second I genuinely wondered what sort of event was going on, and why people would willingly participate outside on such a day.

I realized this “event” was just undergraduates waiting to cram on the next available option CATA could had for them, which, for people at the back of the line, looked like it was two or three buses away.

I’m lucky I don’t have to put up with that. I’m a graduate student, so I’m usually cloaked from what’s actually taking place on campus. I live a couple miles away; I drive to class and get to have things like a puppy and a balcony at my apartment.

It’s a life that, when compared to the dorms, falls just short of having my own butler that warms my towels before I get out of the shower and serves me pre-stemmed plums from a golden chalice.

Julia Nagy/The State News

East Lansing resident Anastasiia Greca, left, waits for the bus Jan. 6, 2014, on Grand River Ave.

This winter has made something I noticed when I enrolled here in August even more apparent: this campus is overpopulated. If you need evidence of this, just look at the line outside of Rick’s American Cafe every Friday night. Or any other day of the week. It’s long enough to sustain a second, nowwith-more-grime Rick’s American Cafe 2.0, which undoubtedly would be the worst place in the world.

OK, but I’m being sort of serious: I don’t know how undergraduates here do it. You can’t have a car, but, unless you’re prepared to risk being late to class, you can’t really take the bus either. And walking? This campus is about as walkable as the corn maze from The Shining.

I think MSU’s overpopulation of students is especially apparent to me because I’m new here. I did my undergrad in Allendale, Mich., at Grand Valley State University, which comically is smaller than East Lansing.

Until I came here, I had never seen a bike rack so packed that it looks like it has its own gravitational pull. Our buses had room on them. And this whole concept of “transitional housing?” I didn’t know that was a thing—anywhere—until a classmate did a

story on it this fall. I can’t believe a student paying about $20,000 a year in tuition and fees could be subject to that, but I’ll just leave that right there.

It seems students here have grown used to such inconveniences, but these things don’t happen elsewhere. To me, they seem pretty unacceptable.

So where does it stop? It doesn’t. This school, which already is too big, isn’t going to get smaller, and these problems aren’t going to go away— they’re going to get slightly worse, year after year.

We’ll cross the barrier of 50,000 students. The bike racks will get a little more full, the lines for the bus will get a little longer, and a few more students will have to go through transitional housing.

And it feels like everyone is sort of OK with that.

The alternative is to stop accepting so many students, which won’t happen.

So, next time you’re standing at a bus stop waiting in the cold during MSU’s so-called “spring” semester, just be glad its not five years later when the lines are even worse. Either that or grab an aerosol can and help me warm up the globe.

Greg Monahan is a journalism graduate student.

Reach him at monaha32@msu.edu.

We want to hear your thoughts.

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.

editorial cartoonist

How to reach us Questions? Contact Opinion Editor Rebecca Ryan at (517) 432-3070.

brandon hankins bhankins@statenews.com

By email rebecca.ryan@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

Just so you know Wednesday’s poll results Are you upset President Obama’s visit will not be open to the public?

No 30%

None 74% One 23%

Yes 67%

No 33% 0

10

20

30

40 50 PERCENT

60

70

80

Total votes: 101 as of 5 p.m. Wednesday

Today’s state news poll What do you think of MSU’s football recruiting class?

To vote, visit statenews.com.

opinion column

Coca-Cola Super Bowl ad is not ‘Un-American’

W

hat does it mean to be American? Does it just mean pale, white skin? The hard-clipped edges of words in the English language?

Hamburgers and french fries?

Those all are undeniable parts of the American identity. But to those who believe that’s where it ends, I have news for you.

You’re dead wrong.

During this year’s Super Bowl, Coca-Cola released an advertisement featuring the patriotic song “America the Beautiful.”

The song begins with familiar English words, but then smoothly transitions into translations of the song in other languages, including Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, Hindi, Hebrew, Keres, Senegalese-French and Arabic.

Unfortunately, I was working the night of the Super Bowl and didn’t see it air, so my first encounter with the advertisement was when I saw the backlash on social media.

Within hours of the Super Bowl,

nents that make it different. there were compilations of hateEach lettuce, tomato and olive ful and racist comments pophelps to complete the dish. ping up on various social media America from the very beginning sites. Especially on Twitter. has been defined by a constant flow One user said: “I am no lonof people from diverse backgrounds. ger drinking Coke because they Sushi, tacos, used terrorists in yoga and karaoke their commercials.

Features editor are not ideas that #TeamPepsi” magically fell out of Another user said: the sky into waiting “Big mistake Cocahands. They came Cola, big mistake buried in the minds #speakamerican” of immigrants, In fact, #SpeakAacross oceans and merican began trendborders. They came ing on Twitter. riding on the conMaybe these racAnya rath cept that Ameriists who have an arath@statenews.com ca is a country with issue with the idea open arms, a counof a diverse Amertry willing to accept new things. ica would have been better off My parents immigrated to the saying #SpeakEnglish. Because U.S. before I was born. I was as far as I am aware, Ameriactually born in Michigan — can is not a defined language.

I’ve always liked the idea of Amer- a fact that sometimes surprises people for some reason. ica being more of a tossed salad I grew up in a household that than a melting pot. It’s not a counprimarily spoke Oriya, an Indian try where people effortlessly melt dialect. I ate chicken nuggets for into what is considered the norm. lunch, but curry for dinner. I could It’s a country that takes pride go from praying in a Hindu temand pleasure in the compo-

ple to shopping for my prom dress.

I grew up embracing a blend of two cultures — Indian and American — and that doesn’t make me any less American than anyone else in this country. It has made me someone who has seen both sides of the border, cutting between the stereotypical all-American and a foreigner.

If this country is willing to accept superficial things from different cultures, it should be ready to accept the whole culture full-heartedly. This includes customs, tradition and the language that explains the core of its culture. The identities that shadow food and pastimes cannot and should not be forgotten.

So, yes. Speak American. Speak the languages of the many backgrounds that make up what America truly is and embrace them.

Don’t let ignorance and fear of the unknown dictate the way you should treat people from other backgrounds — they’re your neighbors and partners.

Anya Rath is the State News features editor. Reach her at anya.rath@statenews.com

5 | Th e Stat e N e ws | t h ur sday, fe bruary 6, 2 01 4

staten e ws.com

Features

Features editor Anya Rath, features@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

MSU Pokémon Club draws players from across Michigan cholland@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Nostalgia for a distant childhood and familiar characters triggered a desire in three MSU students to turn an old hobby into a club to catch ‘em all.

During the 2011 fall semester, a group of students decided to turn their game of trading and battling Pokémon cards into an official, registered MSU student group: the MSU Pokémon Club.

The club meets once a week for two hours. Which are spent bouncing strategies off each other, giving advice on their decks and playing practices matches to help improve skill.

Members who are not as interested in the trading card game can also focus on the Nintendo 3DS Pokémon video games.

When the members met Wednesday night, the atmosphere remained playful. As one

“It started out as just an MSU club, but Pokémon is so popular that it has just grown past that entirely.”

Matthew Frankovich, vice president of club

member ripped his fresh pack open, he yelled, “You guys are about to get rickrolled!”

Comparative cultures and politics senior Matthew Frankovich said the club has 10 to 12 regular members, but also has about 30 members from across the state who compete with them in tournaments.

“It started out as just an MSU club, but Pokémon is so popular that it has just grown past that entirely,” he said.

“People from all around Michigan come by once every couple of weeks when they’re free.”

Frankovich joined the club during his sophomore year because his roommate’s persistence — he hadn’t even touched the game since he was a kid.

The Pokémon club has about 30 members

Now the vice president of the club, Frankovich said the friendly and welcoming nature of the members was what convinced him to stay.

“A lot of people just come to hang out,” he said. “I (joined the club) for the game and stayed because of the friends I made.”

Music performance and music education senior JW Kriewall said it was the “nostalgia factor” that initiated his return to the trading card game in high school. After coming to MSU, he sought out the club and has stuck with it through his college career.

“I can’t even pinpoint a favorite memory I’ve had with them,” he said. “We have our own dialect. ... I definitely plan on staying in contact with the people I met even after I graduate.”

Since its start, the club has continued to prosper. Members travel to many states to compete

Read online | statenews.com

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Students plan service spring break

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128 COLLINGWOOD New CXL- Spacious 4 bdrm apt - avail Aug ‘14! 2 full bath, granite throughout, laundry, dishwasher, micro, leather furn. 4 parking spots! Corner of GR/Collingwood, secure building, best location & quality! www.cronmgt.com or 517.351.1177

4 BEDROOM for next school year $325 per person! 3 bedroom $415 per person. (517) 5070127.

500 MICHIGAN brand new fall 2014, 2 bdrm/ lic 2, 2 full bath on Mich Ave next to Fedex, secure bld, parking, washer/dryer, d/w, micro, all granite, quality throughout! www.cronmgt.com or 517.351.1177 AVAIL AUG ‘14 Studio Apartments. Heat/water inc. Downtown EL, Top cond. Check out our visual tours at hudginsrealty.com Call 517-5750008, no pets.

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Tangled Fri, Sat, & Sun: 117B Wells Hall 7:10 PM & 9:10PM

from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday at the newly-opened Hollow Mountain Comics on Grand River Avenue.

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after graduation.

“Everything’s come full circle,” Adams said. “The first time we hosted a tournament, the guys and I were just like ‘This is where we got started, and now we’re doing this for ourselves.’ It’s a really cool community that gets people involved.”

The club’s members meet

Ender’s Game Thurs: 119B Wells Hall 9:00 PM Fri, Sat, & Sun: 119B Wells Hall 7:15 PM & 9:00 PM

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and have hosted official Pokémon Trading Card Game tournaments with other dedicated players.

Founder, club president and MSU alumnus Andrew Adams said the club’s growing success has been great to watch. He said he tends to play more casually now, but he is satisfied in staying involved with the club even

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very day, people around the globe dream of making an impact on the world and helping to create change. A group of students at MSU are taking action on those dreams.

The students are part of the nonprofit organization St udent s To day L eader s Forever, a nat iona l ly recognized organization focused on building leadership among young people while promoting service work.

This spring break, the MSU chapter of the organization will be going on three separate buses, to Atlanta, Ga., said Akhilesh Menawat, an international relations senior and core member of the group.

The buses, distinguished and divided by color, will each take a different route to Atlanta and will stop in a new city every day to perform community service.

TO PLACE AN AD …

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Erin Hampton/The State News

Comparative cultures and politics senior Matthew Frankovich, left, and political theory and constitutional democracy senior Chris Derocher fight for Pokémon card decks on Wednesday.

“

By Casey Holland

Services NICE GUY On Campus is a fresh face to the MSU community that is here to service any computer repairs or needs for students and residents alike. Saving over 50% from retail stores gives affordability for students with tight budgets.

Email: msu@niceguyoncampus.com or call 517219-1111. Follow on twitter, like on Facebook and visit niceguyoncampus. com

Horoscope By Linda C. Black 10 IS THE EASIEST DAY — 0 THE MOST CHALLENGING

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8 — For about three weeks with Mercury retrograde, talk and plan with associates. Clean up the place. Don’t take risks. Double check financial transactions.

Review recent negotiations and decisions. Increase peace through meditation.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 7 — For three weeks, you gain most through old contacts and familiar practices. The initial phase of a job is over. Fact and fantasy clash. Keep decreasing public obligations. Pad your schedule for unexpected circumstances, and take quiet time.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 9 — Review data to find a hidden truth. Misunderstandings are plentiful for the next three weeks. Ask questions, even if you’re nervous.

Repeat what you said to be sure it gets through. Handle outstanding assignments.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8 — For about three weeks, hold onto what you have. Better safe than sorry. Avoid risks. Have people over instead of going out.

Travel and transportation can get disrupted. Pay extra attention to a partner.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 6 — For the next three weeks while Mercury’s retrograde, revisit creative ideas from the past. A temporary disruption could slow things... have a backup plan. Revisions are necessary. Take your act on the road (after double-checking reservations and roads).

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 9 — Communicate carefully for the next three weeks. Save your insights for later... avoid misunderstandings. This retrograde period is good for organizing, sorting and filing. Clean your desk, and complete old projects. Service breakdowns could slow things.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 7 — For about three weeks, pay off bills. Don’t confront authority or get into legal disputes... it would just get complicated. Watch for technical difficulties. Tune your equipment. Keep decreasing your obligations. Share food and fun with friends.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7 — Secure what you’ve achieved over the next several weeks. Continue to increase your authority, although possibilities to advance remain static for a while. Keep practicing, and raise your skills.

Make plans, and check equipment for repairs.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is an 8 — For three weeks, confusion is more common in groups. Travel can get disrupted or interrupted.

Accept responsibility where due, and stay patient. Review documents and sign again as needed.

Avoid overspending. Free up some time for peacefulness.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7 — For about three weeks, revise and refine your procedures.

Review your notes, to simplify.

Dig into a research assignment.

Double-check bank statements and financial transactions. Today and tomorrow, play and have fun (especially with family).

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 6 — Review the data and practice over the next three weeks. Sign papers and contracts after that, if you can wait. Increase support structures. Handle home repairs, especially regarding plumbing.

Travel could get tricky. Enjoy home comforts.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7 — For the next three weeks, renew old bonds. Review financial contracts and statements. Increase your savings with planning. Wait for a better time to take risk or make major decisions. Review the pros and cons thoroughly first.

Sports

state n e ws.com | The State N ews | thu r sday, f eb rua ry 6 , 2014 |

Spartans facing difficult test with two weekend road contests

By Mayara Sanches msanches@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Julia Nagy/ The State News

payne’s return critical in penn state game THE STATE NEWS nn

Plain and simple, Thursday’s Penn State team is a different team than the one that lost to MSU by 16 points on the eve of the Rose Bowl.

Now riding a three-game win streak, PSU (12-10 overall, 3-6 Big Ten) has proven itself as a threat to any squad that thinks the Nittany Lions can be overlooked.

Even with people giving him votes of overwhelming confidence based on MSU’s 79-63 victory on Dec. 31, head coach Tom Izzo knows his Spartans (19-3, 8-1) could be bitten by the Nittany Lions.

“This game is very concerning to me,” Izzo said during Tuesday’s press conference. “As I listen to people, I think everyone is going to look at this game and say you beat them by 15 or 17 or whatever you beat them by there.”

Their conference record might be a lowly 3-6, but three of PSU’s conference losses have been by a mere three points or less. The Nittany Lions ended their six-game losing streak by beating Nebraska by four points, Ohio State by

7

Number of games missed by senior forward Adreian Payne with an injury.

He’s set to return against PSU Thursday.

wrestling

Senior center Adreian Payne reacts to the game against Michigan on Jan. 25, 2014, at Breslin Center. The Spartans lost to the Wolverines, 80-75.

msheehan@statenews.com

#SNDailynumber

sports editor Beau Hayhoe, sports@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

men’s basketball

By Matt Sheehan

6

one point in overtime and Purdue by 11 points.

Leading PSU in its recent streak is the highest-scoring backcourt in the nation, Tim Frazier and D.J. Newbill.

The duo averages a combined 33.8 points per game, but lately it has been Newbill stealing the show for PSU, with 20 points per game in PSU’s three latest wins.

“They’re both really, really good guards,” junior guard Travis Trice said. “Newbill in the ball screens once he gets you in his hip, he’s really hard to get around because he is so strong. Frazier, he is so quick and good with the ball.”

On the bright side for MSU, the Spartans received what could be the best news this week with senior forward Adreian Payne returning to the court for practice.

After seven games of sitting on the bench wearing a boot on his sprained foot, Payne said the number of minutes he will play all depends on “how ever many my body will let me.”

The last time Payne played was on Jan. 7 during MSU’s 72-68 overtime win over Ohio State, a game that Izzo thought his senior forward would miss as a result of

his foot injury. To Izzo’s surprise, Payne said he was good to go and fought through it to play 32 minutes and score 18 points.

However, instead of playing through pain, Izzo said Payne is “going to have to learn how to play through fatigue.”

“I’m not going to try to beat Adreian to death, but ... he is a horse worth riding,” Izzo said. “So we are going to ride Adreian a little bit and see what (we) can get out of him within the framework of what our medical people think and what he says.”

Missing freebies When it comes to winning, MSU is at the top of the Big Ten mountain. However, when it comes to free throws, MSU is looking up at nearly every other team, shooting 68.8 percent — second-worst.

Hoping to turn the tide of his team’s funk, Izzo has been holding early morning free throw shooting sessions.

“You don’t ever want to get drastic with shooting stuff because it becomes mental,” Izzo said.

Four matches away from the Big Ten Championships, the wrestling team will take on two of them on the road for a dual weekend.

The team will wrestle against No. 13 Ohio State at 7 p.m. on Friday in Massillon, Ohio.

Following that match, they will go up against Indiana at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Bloomington, Ind. They have been preparing for those matches after losing to No. 1 Penn State, 42-3, and plan to not get ahead of themselves, according to 197-pound junior Nick McDiarmid.

“We’ll take one dual meet at a time and not look too far ahead,” McDiarmid said. “We’ll try to look at both matches individually and not as one big match.”

First they will wrestle against Ohio State, where they plan to compete throughout the meet.

“We need to wrestle 10 good, strong matches and come out victorious,” McDiarmid said. “Then we will regroup and refocus to go against Indiana.”

Both Ohio State and Indiana are teams that the Spartans have not seen much before, said senior heavyweight Mike McClure.

“Both duals are very winnable and we have a good chance with where we’re at individually and as a team,” McClure said.

The prior teams they have wrestled have been in the top five teams in the nation, and McClure said most of the Spartan wrestlers are on the borderline of competing at that level as well.

With four matches left, head coach Tom Minkel said everybody’s minds are on getting ready for the Big Ten championships. The routine of having Friday then Sunday matches is helping the process, but Minkel said

his team does not have room for mistakes.

“We’ve wrestled high quality competitors in the last few weeks,” Minkel said. “In the less important matches, they can make mistakes and still win, but against the best competitors those errors will cost you.”

McClure said he has been

helping the team through leading by example and he looks to continue that process as the Big Ten and national championships draw closer.

“I think I’ve done a pretty good job of leading by example this season,” he said. “We’ve been working on certain things like critiquing and technique.”

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Special Election for Student Directors February 21, 2014 The State News has 1 student opening on our Board of Directors.

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Apply online at: statenews.com/board Deadline for applying is: Thursday, February 13th Interviews will be Friday, February 21st.