Tuesday 2/18/14

Gary Harris struggles on court

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Sophomore guard Gary Harris plays against Nebraska Sunday at Breslin Center.

statenews.com | 2/18/14 | @thesnews Michigan State University’s independent voice

Julia Nagy/The State News

b section

sports, pG. 5

Going for GOLD

obituary

MSU student and musician dies Saturday near I-69

By Simon Schuster and Geoff Preston sschuster@statenews.com and gpreston@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Harry E . Walker/MCT

USA defenseman Ryan Suter, 20, helps goalie Ryan Miller, 39, protect the goal on a shot by Slovenia forward Ziga Jeglic, 8, during the third period in a men’s hockey game at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia on Sunday. USA defeated Slovenia, 5-1.

MSU alumnus excels on the ice for Team USA in the 2014 Winter Olympics

By Robert Bondy rbondy@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

T

he red, white and blue of the U.S. men’s hockey team has been soaring in the 2014 Winter Olympics, with a sprinkle of green and white contributing to the success.

Former Spartan and current U.S. goaltender Ryan Miller is making his second appearance in the Winter Olympics, recently leading the U.S. to a 5-1 victory against Slovenia on Sunday. The team will play again Wednesday.

Miller, who won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top collegiate hockey player in 2001 at MSU, saved 17 of 18 shots in the victory.

It was Miller’s first action in this year’s Olympics after winning Most Valuable Play-

A D M I N I S TRATIO N

er recognition in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Miller was key in the United States’ run to a silver medal that year.

However, this year’s competition could lead to an even better finish for the stars and stripes.

The U.S. won each of its three preliminary-round games and have earned a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed in bracket play.

Before the hockey portion of See OLYMPICS on page 2 u

Other Notable Millers Kevin Miller (1984-88) Was the only other Miller to play in the Olympics, representing the U.S. in the 1988 winter games

Kip Miller (1987-90) Won the 1990 Hobey Baker Award as top collegiate hockey player in the country

Drew Miller (2003-06) Is the only Miller to win a Stanley Cup in the NHL, winning in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks

Late Saturday evening, MSU student and aspiring musician Dustyn Frolka died after being found partially clothed and in respiratory distress at the side of an entrance ramp on Interstate 69 in Bath Township, authorFrolka ities said Monday.

Bath Township police said his death “is being treated as a homicide until detectives learn otherwise.”

He is survived by his daughter Melody Lou, who was born in April 2013.

Frolka was featured in a March 2013 State News article highlighting rap and hip-hop artists in the MSU community.

“I just grew up listening to the radio as a kid,” Frolka said in an interview at the time. “So it just grew from there. I started making my own little tracks when I was 13, 14 years old off a little Walmart mic. And it just went from there, building, progressing, getting more equipment, finding more things out.”

He rapped under the name “D-Fro,” and performed in venues around the state.

Frolka, a marketing sophomore, came to MSU from Owosso, Mich., after graduating from Owosso High School in 2012. “(Frolka) focused so much on his music, he had a huge passion for it,” friend and advertising sophomore Harrison Marnon said.

Marnon, who knew Frolka since high school, described him as “really ambitious, outgoing, determined.”

Friends and family said he was a “high-achieving student.”

“He was an insightful mind,” said cousin Justin McNamara. “He was such a caring guy, — for this to happen to him is shocking.”

See FROLKA on page 2 u

WINTER

Teaching assistants to earn cold, snowy weather continues $100K after contract dispute

By Michael Kransz and Sierra Lay

By Kary Askew Garcia kgarcia@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Graduate teaching assistants are set to receive more than $100,000 in back wages that the university hadn’t paid them in two semesters after a dispute between the Graduate Employees Union and MSU was resolved.

The union’s successful claim stemmed from a complaint that teaching assistants were not paid during a three-day overlap between the past spring and summer semesters, where more than 300 teaching assistants were essentially working two jobs.

Union president Dan Clark said per their contract with MSU, the spring semester appointment period for teaching assistants went from Jan. 1 to May 15 and the summer appointment period went from May 13 to Aug. 19 in 2013.

Teaching assistants were only paid for their spring semester duties and not for summer

from May 13 to 15. On average, the teaching assistants were paid about $200 less than many expected to receive.

The settlement was reached in late January — just before the ordeal would have been taken to a third-party arbitrator.

The teaching assistants will be receiving their additional pay by March 23, Clark said.

“I still don’t know why they weren’t going to pay us for the overlap to begin with,” Clark said.

University spokesman Jason Cody said he could not disclose any specifics of the negotiation.

At the time of the dispute, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon told The State News the university’s position was that they followed the contract’s terms, but that it was “subject to debate and discussion.”

Although it took months to reach a resolution, the union and teaching assistants involved were glad they could come to See CONTRACTS on page 2 u

mkransz@statenews.com and slay@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Frigid weather and a boatload of new snow on the way is leading students to skip classes, flock to bus stations and bundle up to combat the elements.

Visibility could remain hindered by drifting snow throughout Tuesday.

Further weather woes are predicted for Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday night, a mixture of rain and freezing rain will last into Thursday morning.

The mixture will continue Thursday afternoon and evening, along with possible thunderstorms and snowfall, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration meteorologist Wayne Hoepner said.

There is a chance of flooding associated with the rainfall because of snow-clogged drains.

Bundling up is an easy way

Erin Hampton/The State News

Applied engineering sophomore Lori Comer walks from her apartment Monday on the corner of Kalamazoo Street and Harrison Road.

to prevent becoming an icicle, but it also can be a game of treading the line between warm and overheated and also causes

a hassle once people get to their destinations.

Elementary education sophomore Catherine Evans said lay-

ering up can be a hassle when rushing to class.

See WEATHER on page 2 u

2A | The State N ews | tuesday, feb raury 1 8 , 2 01 4 | statenews.com

News brief Initial budget talks positive for E.L. East Lansing officials are hopeful the city’s financial prospects are looking up after initial budget recommendations were released during an annual budget retreat Saturday.

City Manager George Lahanas said there are continuing challenges to be faced, but Michigan is starting to experience some signs of recovery.

“Property taxes are up slightly and we’re going to receive more money from the state in revenue sharing,” Lahanas said.

The budget retreat is held for council members and city staff to review the five-year financial forecast. The retreat is also a kick-off to the budget process for fiscal year 2015, which Lahanas said will be ready in May. During the retreat, the city reviews and prepares the entire budget for the government.

Lahanas said there have been many steps taken to resolve challenges and manage the budget throughout the past decade.

Making changes in compensation and benefits, reducing the size of the government and offering different service options and eliminating or consolidating service options are some examples of the steps that have been taken to resolve issues with East Lansing’s budget.

Juliana Moxley

olympics

MSU hockey head coach Tom Anastos said Ryan MIller will be “unbelievable” in upcoming games from page one

the Olympics began, MSU hockey head coach Tom Anastos said he thought the U.S. could take home the gold, in large part because of Miller’s play.

“I’m going to pick the U.S. because I’m a homer, and I really want them to win,” Anastos said. “I think Ryan Miller is going to be unbelievable, and

frolka

Frolka was able to “shine through the darkness with his music,” even though he had a tough life from page one

McNamara grew up with Frolka in Owosso and said they had a brother-like relationship. He said Folka’s optimism never wavered despite hardships.

“He had a tough go growing up,” he said. “But he always really did his best to shine through the darkness with his music.”

Frolka was born to be a Spartan, according to McNamara. His room in Owosso was covered in green and white, and he always wore MSU T-shirts and hats.

“He was an all-around good

that’s not just because I’m a homer, I think he will be.”

Anastos added that a hot goalie can change everything in the Olympics, making him lean toward a former Spartan to be that game-changer.

With Ryan Miller in his second Olympics, it only adds to the legacy of the Miller family’s contributions to the sport of hockey.

Kelly Miller, an MSU assistant coach and the cousin of Ryan Miller, is one of 10 Miller family members to play for MSU. He said the whole family is proud of Ryan’s accomplishments.

“We’re obviously very proud of him,” Kelly Miller said. “He’s always been a very focused kid, I think back to the days when

he came out and skated with us as a kid. To watch him blossom as a player today is special.”

But a fellow former Spartan ultimately could be the roadblock again from Miller earning a gold medal.

Former MSU defenseman Duncan Keith has been a consistent contributor for the Canadian national team in the first three games, notching an assist so far. He helped Canada earn a first-round bye and the No. 3 seed in bracket play.

With the No. 3 seed, there is a good chance the U.S. could face Canada in the semifinals, creating a battle of former Spartans.

The success of both Ryan Miller and Keith on the international level is a crown jewel for MSU hockey and used

guy,” he said. “I guess the good really do die young.”

A relative who answered Frolka’s home phone said she wasn’t prepared to comment.

Details of his death are murky, but Bath police officials told The Lansing State Journal Frolka had no gunshot or stab wounds.

Frolka openly alluded to drug use on social media, tweeting and posting about marijuana and various hallucinogens. The night of his death, Frolka tweeted, “I’ve never done DMT and tonight is about to change shit.”

Police said it is unclear whether substances played a role in Frolka’s death. Toxicology reports are pending.

Marnon said Frolka wasn’t known for doing “hard drugs” in high school. But he acknowledged Frolka ran in different circles at MSU. “He was starting to get in with some of the wrong crew, maybe starting to talk to some of the wrong people,” Marnon said,

but emphasized “that didn’t affect who he was as a person. He was always ambitious.”

Charles Nelson, a friend of Frolka’s, said he was dedicated to music and those he cared about.

“He was really a great person, really helpful and a great friend,” he said.

Cassidy DeSantis was a friend of Frolka’s who knew him in middle and high school. Their mothers were best friends.

DeSantis said growing up wasn’t easy for Frolka, whose father died when he was young.

“Dustyn was dealt one of the hardest and cruelest lives anyone can imagine, but that kid always had a smile on his face,” she said.

“He was always full of life and had a crazy amount of energy.”

DeSantis said his determination inspired people around him.

“He had a dream, and no one else wanted to pursue theirs until he showed them that you didn’t have to be scared,” she said. “He was an influence to all of us.”

He said there was also another overlap that occurred between the end of the summer and beginning of fall semesters for which he was not paid, a total of $518.

“That’s half my rent,” Beck said.

Both Cody and Beck said it was important to make sure there are no future contractual issues.

“With this settlement in place, it outlines moving forward how

pay will be handled for the life of this contract, which expires in May 2015,” Cody said.

Beck said the union clarified some of the language in the contracts to avoid future issues.

Beck said he appreciated the hard work the union had done to fight for graduate students.

“Without a dedicated union ... there would be about 300 TAs out of pay that they were owed,” he said.

Three-day forecast

contracts Tuesday Cloudy High: 39° Low: 30°

The settlement outlines how pay will be handled until May 2015, when the contract expires from page one

Wednesday Partly Cloudy High: 39° Low: 25°

an agreement with university officials rather than having to go through an arbitration process, said Dan Beck, vice president of the union.

Beck said he was greatly affected by the university’s refusal to pay him during the overlap.

Continued in creating future success.

Kelly Miller, who missed part of Ryan’s game against Slovenia because of recruiting responsibilities, said the program can use the success of former Spartans as a recruiting tool.

“There’s no question it’s something we can point to as the success (that) our program is developing players for the next level,” Kelly Miller said. “We are very proud of it, we certainly like to brag about it. (I) hope some of our current players and future players have the same opportunity.”

Both the U.S. and Cana-

weather

Rain, freezing rain and additional snowfall is expected later in the week, meteorologists say from page one

“I wear like 10 layers and then sweat on the way to class, because I walk too fast,” Evans said.

Evans said with temperatures being their lowest in the morning, she often opts for the bus in lieu of walking to where she needs to go.

It appears mid-Michigan is not as close to the end of winter as originally thought, with an estimated four to six inches of snow expected to accumulate by Tuesday morning and more inclement weather on the way.

T he Nat iona l Weat her Service issued a winter weather advisory for snowfall and blowing winds in Ingham County until 4 a.m.

Tuesday.

Crossword

da will be back in action on Wednesday in quarterfinal match-ups. The U.S. will play the winner of Czech Republic-Slovakia and Canada will play the winner of Switzerland-Latvia, and both games begin today at noon. It is unclear if Miller or Jonathan Quick of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings will start in goal for the U.S. in the quarterfinal.

If both the U.S. and Canada win those match-ups, it will create a Ryan Miller-Keith semifinal.

Staff reporter Erik Sargent contributed to this report.

Temperatures can be so foreboding that some students shy away from braving the cold. It can be especially difficult to leave a warm bed when the thermometer dips so low.

When wind chill and precipitation are factored in, the thought of venturing outside is less than motivating. Biting winds and blowing snow offers little incentive for students to leave their warm beds.

Advertising junior John Winningham said it’s much harder to find motivation on cold mornings.

“I probably stay in bed longer, and I don’t want to go to class as much,” Winningham said. “I just want to watch TV all day.”

Economics sophomore Erica Lascott said she’s more likely to stay in bed longer and doesn’t want to attend classes in such conditions.

Skipping class, although never ideal, becomes even more appealing in the freezing temperatures.

The idea of brutal morning temperatures is enough to drive her to skip her morning classes, Lascott said.

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

VOL . 104 | NO. 195

Thursday Rain High: 42° Low: 28°

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

editorial staff

Level: 1

2

3 4

(517) 432-3070 Editor in chief Ian Kullgren

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managing editor Lauren Gibbons

Corrections

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

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SOLUTION MONDAY’SPUZZLE PUZZLE SOLUTION TO TO MONDAY’S

2/18/14

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 JFK announcements 5 Athletic shoe brand 9 __ Haute, Indiana 14 Red dessert wine 15 A party to 16 Advil competitor 17 Two-toned treat 18 Bibliography, e.g.

19 Washer cycle 20 Phrase on a treasure map 23 Sycophant 24 Captain of industry 26 Novelist Deighton 28 Sinking ship deserter 29 Illuminated 31 Luxury SUV since 1970 36 Hard-to-hit tennis server 37 Black wood 38 Vigor’s partner 39 Locale 40 Criminal, to a cop 41 Sophocles tragedy 43 Giant Mel enshrined in Cooperstown 44 NBC late-night comedy hit 45 Pull 46 First film to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature 48 “Take care of yourself!”

53 One of the things little boys are made of, and a hint to 20-, 31- and 41-Across 57 Take as one’s own 59 Desert tableland 60 Pirate booty 61 Confused struggle 62 Cool and collected 63 Blackthorn fruit 64 Message limited to 140 characters 65 Lotion additive 66 __-de-camp

Down

1 Glue for a model kit 2 Mel, “The Velvet Fog” 3 Fields of study 4 Nor’easter, for one 5 Light lager 6 Part of BTU 7 Dance wildly 8 Bet all players must make 9 Fossil-preserving spot 10 “The Waste Land” poet 11 Budget vehicle 12 Natl. park campers 13 Wide shoe size 21 Actress Cuoco of “The Big Bang Theory” 22 Guide for the Magi 25 Female relative 27 Best-seller list entry 28 Make payment 30 “Jurassic Park” predator, for short

31 Auto loan default consequence 32 Helps, as a 40-Across 33 Santa’s home 34 Econ. statistic 35 YouTube clip, for short 36 Pacino and Capone 39 Washington’s __ Sound 41 Peeling potatoes in the mil., perhaps 42 Darts, commonly 44 Seven-person combo 47 Indian currency 49 Tostitos dip 50 Garlic mayonnaise 51 Monsoon aftermath 52 Makeup maven Lauder 54 Gym site, briefly 55 Negotiation goal 56 Northern European capital 57 Qty. 58 Beads on the grass

Get the solutions at

statenews.com/puzzles

state n e ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | t u es day, f eb rua ry 18 , 2014 |

Campus+city

3A

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

environment

w e at h e r

cold weather causes unusual freezing areas in red cedar

Power outages, water main breaks affect student life

By Michael Kransz mkransz@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

As sub-freezing temperatures persist this winter, some parts of the Red Cedar River are icing over for the first time in 10 years.

Geological sciences professor David Long and his class venture to the river, collecting water samples and analyzing its chemical makeup.

This year they had to move downstream, because the usual sampling spot is coated over with ice. “This is the first time I’ve seen the ice get that far, so it’s pretty impressive,� Long said. “It’s the most frozen I’ve seen the river in the past 10 years.�

Long and his class used to sample by the Hannah Administration Building where the ducks are, just before the dam.

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

A series of power outages and water main breaks have affected hundreds of residents in East Lansing this winter.

A power outage on Sunday that affected 200 Lansing Board of Water and Light customers was caused by an underground cable fault completely unrelated to the cold or snow, BWL Communications Director Stephen Serkaian said.

The water main breaks, however, have much to do with the winter weather. “These last few weeks we’ve had extended severe cold weather and that causes an increase in broken pipes,� Serkaian said.

There were 19 water main breaks between Jan. 1 and Feb. 14, East Lansing Director of Public Works Todd Sneathen said.

Although having water breaks during the winter season is typical, there have been a lot more breaks in January than in previous years.

Not only are the harsh temper-

atures causing the ground to shift to burst the pipes, they are also making it significantly more difficult to repair the broken pipes. “The issue with recently is that the ground underneath the pavement is very, very hard because it’s frozen so it takes us a long time to dig down to that,� Sneathen said. “It’s somewhere in the three to six hour range to fix.�

Most of the time a water main break doesn’t affect the water service or residents until the pipe is exposed. The only reason they know is because they see water in the streets, Serkaian said.

A presidential celebration

The residents affected by the water main breaks have no running water until the issue is repaired. The breaks are expected to continue with the extreme temperatures, Sneathen said.

Despite their lack of connection to weather-related causes, the frequent outages hitting East Lansing still affect the lives of students.

Media and information senior Alec Rademacher, along with the 11 other brothers living in the Triangle Fraternity house on Harrison Road, were affected by BWL’s most recent outage on Sunday. “The power went out for a cou-

1960 Monday was Presidents’ Day, a holiday many observe by enjoying the day off they receive in celebration. But for college students who don’t get the day of relaxation, the day is remembered in a different way.

Many MSU students aren’t aware of the connections past U.S. presidents have maintained with university happenings throughout the years.

MSU has played host to many presidents in its existence. They’ve visited campus to lend their words to students, alumni and faculty in multiple ways. Most recently, President Barack Obama came to East Lansing to sign the farm bill into law.

Other presidents to grace campus have included then-Vice President Richard Nixon in 1957, as well as former President Harry Truman in 1960.

Both Truman and Nixon gave the commencement addresses to MSU’s graduates of respectively 1960 and 1957.

In a nation so vast, we all face tragedies, fears and problems in our communities that we might not feel are crucial enough to be on the president’s radar.

But as former President Truman said, “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.�

River hockey is legal, but MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothianTaylor stresses on using common sense Long said he guesses the extent of ice cover this year relates to thicker ice, both of which have been caused by long-lasting cold. “This is the longest period of time that I can remember that we’ve been sub-freezing,� Long said. “It’s just a long time of being really cold.�

A frozen Red Cedar River often means passage and play for students. Some students walk to class on the river while others play hockey.

Kinesiology junior Robbie Goldi has played hockey on the river twice.

He said the experience is distinct from any indoor game. “It’s a whole different experience,� Goldi said. “When you get the boys out on the pond, it’s a different mindset.

Goldi, who is a member of the club hockey team, played on the river behind Cedar Village several weeks ago where intrigued onlookers stopped for a moment to watch.

On the river, players bring out trash cans, laundry bins or buckets to use as goals.

Playing without ceilings overhead and walls on all sides is reminiscent of hockey’s roots, Goldi said. “It brings a new appreciation for hockey,� he said. “You get to appreciate where the game came from.�

The freedom of playing on the ice does not come without danger.

River hockey is legal, but MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothianTaylor said she stresses common sense. “Our main concern is that the students remain safe,� McGlothian-Taylor said. “We like individuals to make common sense decisions. They’re doing it at their own risk when they go out there.�

ple hours on our block, and we cancelled our chapter meeting and a few presentations because we do it all in the basement and it’s dark when there are no lights on,� Rademacher said.

But this wasn’t the first time the house lost power. Throughout winter break, the house went without power for about a week.

The lack of heat remained an issue, Rademacher said. “I think (the most recent) power outage may be a result of the quick fixes they were doing to restore power to those who lost it over break,� Rademacher said.

Sierra Lay

statenews.com Photo courtesy of MSU Archives

To read more about the Presidents’ Day story visit statenews.com/blog.

careers

MSU ranks high in Peace Corps members

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

Michigan is a top-producing state for the Peace Corps, a trait that has been passed to its universities as well.

With 2,322 alumni having served in the worldwide volunteer organization since its creation, MSU stands as sixth alltime producer of volunteers.

47 MSU graduates are currently serving in the Peace Corps, which puts MSU at No. 14 in number of serving alumni.

Recruiter Dave Glovsky said this is because of the emphasis the university puts on studying abroad and learning new languages and cultures. “The only way to get to

know a culture is to live somewhere for more than just a few months,� Glovsky said. “Working alongside people and getting to know the problems of the community and working to fix that is a life-altering opportunity.�

Alumna Alison Inwood graduated in 2012 and traveled to The Gambia, a country in West Africa. There, she had to adapt to a life without electricity, running water or the Internet.

Inwood said she had aspired to make a difference by joining the Peace Corps since she was 13.

She returned home to Michigan after serving for four months. “I liked the fact that it was grassroots,� she said. “I really had to become a part of the community to be effective ... I learned a lot about people, that no matter what circumstances people are there to

help each other.�

Graduate student Ashleigh Burgess also served in West Africa in Senegal.

Burgess wanted to volunteer because she thought it was a good career opportunity and was interested in community service.

Burgess served for two years in the corps and was able to obtain college credit for her master’s program. She said she first got involved by going to informational seminars on campus.

The on-campus Peace Corps recruiters plan to have public information seminars starting Tuesday, where they will inform students on what it takes to be in the Peace Corps.

In addition to actively recruiting, the MSU Peace Corps office is teaming up with U.S. Agency for International Development,

or USAID, to hold the Feed the Future Campus Food Security Tour, which will educate students on the efforts the organization is doing to insure safe, healthy food sources for developing countries. “Food sources are essential to every part of the Peace Corps, making sure people are well-nourished and well-fed and agriculture resources are available are crucial to world development.�

Glovsky said.

Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet will congratulate MSU on ranking high on Wednesday. “The same passion that launched the Peace Corps more than 50 years ago fuels progress in developing countries today, thanks to the leadership and creativity that college graduates bring to their Peace Corps ser-

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By the numbers

6 MSU ranks sixth in all-

time producer of volunteers for the Peace Corps

2,322 MSU alumni

have served at the Peace Corps

14 The university ranks 14th in the number of presently serving alumni

47 MSU graduates are

serving in the Peace Corps Source Peace Corps

vice,� Hessler-Radelet said. “The unique Peace Corps experience helps recent graduates cultivate highly sought-after skills that will launch their careers in today’s global economy.�

4A | T he State N ews | Tuesday, February 1 8, 2 01 4 | state n e ws.com

Opinion

Featured blog Break away from the norms this spring break

opinion column

Challenge yourself to try teaching after graduation

I

knew I was exactly where I needed to be when Stephanie looked up at me after finishing her math exam and said, “I did it.”

I had challenged my students to grow two grade levels in math in one year – undoubtedly a significant feat that I knew would be difficult to attain. But for Stephanie, it wasn’t enough.

Even as a sixth-grader, her focus was on completing the same problems her cousins in high school were working on. Her passion was math, and she pushed me, her mother and her grandmother to set the bar even higher.

It was my first year of teaching special education students in Philadelphia as part of the Teach For America program, and Stephanie was one of the dozens of bright, young kids that I had the pleasure of working with each day.

My decision to apply to the national teaching program was not an easy one to make. I knew it would require long hours. I knew there would be physically and emotionally exhausting days. I knew

“While many students are tanning and working out, I am plotting a course on a map and filling the car with gasoline. Because the road trip is a lost art.”

— Michael Kransz, State News reporter

graduates that come from teacher pay was low.

I’m glad I made the right decision. Teach- universities across the ing brings with it so many moments of satisfac- state and the country.

From my years in the tion and joy, from seeing students like Stephanie classroom and as push themselves toward greatness to an advocate for stuhearing from an appreciative parent guest columnist dents in Detroit, here that you’ve inspired their student to is what I have learned: In attend college, apply for an internship cities across Michigan, we need or explore a particular career choice. passionate, talented leaders to help our There are few professions that offer kids achieve their highest potential. We the privilege of having such a positive need teachers with commitment and pasimpact on the lives of others. sion for justice—especially teachers of That potential to affect the lives of color, particularly black males. When kids is why I’m so proud to lead more than 350 Detroit teachers as the inter- tiffany williams students have professional role models they can relate to, like teachers, they im executive director of Teach For tiffany.williams@ begin to think differently about their America in my hometown of Detroit. teachforamerica.org futures. In Detroit, you have the potenOur teachers work tirelessly in schools tial to impact the lives of your students throughout the city to help build the academic foundations our students need to be suc- and families and contribute to the continued revicessful. Our corps is a diverse and dynamic group talization of your city.

As you near graduation and consider a career or of individuals, most of whom are recent college

Read the rest online at statenews.com/blog.

graduate school program, I challenge you to consider one more option: teaching.

Whether your point of entry is a traditional school of education or an alternative pathway like Teach For America that draws leaders from all majors, this country needs people that are innovative, committed and willing to inspire the next generation of leaders.

The next application deadline is Feb. 20. Visit teachforamerica.org for more information.

Tiffany Williams is the interim executive director of Teach For America – Detroit. Reach her at tiffany.williams@teachforamerica.org.

editorial cartoonist

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.

brandon hankins bhankins@statenews.com

How to reach us Questions?

Contact Opinion Editor Rebecca Ryan at (517) 432-3070.

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

Letter to the editor nn

Counseling Center equipped to handle more students I am writing this letter as the acting director of the MSU Counseling Center in response to the recent State News article, “COGS endorses student health care adjustments.” This letter is intended to share with a larger audience some of the information presented at a recent COGS meeting, including some national trends that have had a direct impact on mental health services at MSU. In the past, mental health issues in higher education were relatively peripheral, coming to wider attention only occasionally and only in the aftermath of a crisis or a tragedy.

During the last several years, these issues have been receiving more attention at the national level because of their impact on students’ personal functioning (maybe well-being?), on campus safety and on academic performance and retention. The simplest way to describe this trend is to say that mental health issues have become much more central to the life of every university.

In a general sense, many more students currently are experiencing psychological stress that impacts their lives as students. In a clinical sense, more students are seeking mental health treatment, and their presenting concerns are more severe.

National survey data illustrates this trend. For example, in the most recent National College Health Assessment (NCHA, 2012), 10 percent of male students and 25 percent of female students reported at least one mental health condition. The gender difference may be because of cultural factors, such as a relative reluctance among men to admit “weakness” and to seek professional help. This survey also indicated that among students seeking services at university counseling centers, the prevalence of more severe mental health diagnoses nearly tripled, increasing from 16 percent of those students who sought treatment in the year 2000 to 44 percent in 2010.

In a separate survey of university counseling center directors, 93 percent reported that their centers had experienced an increased demand for services. Consistent with this finding, at the MSU Counseling Center we have

experienced a 76 percent increase in the number of students seen in clinical services throughout the past six years.

The national trend toward increased demand for services and increased acuity of presenting concerns has sparked a great deal of interest among mental health professionals in higher education, but the reasons for the trend are not completely clear.

Possible explanations include: increased financial stress on students; increased access to mental health treatment prior to college, resulting in more students with mental health issues able to be academically successful in high school and to move on to higher education; collective anxiety and depression created by social and political factors such as terrorist threats and campus shooting incidents; decreased stigma around mental health issues, leading to greater numbers of students who are willing to seek professional help; the negative impact of technology and social media on psychological and neurological development, including changes in attention, learning, mood, anxiety and social relationships.

MSU has begun to respond to these trends. For example, the Counseling Center has added four new positions in the past five years. MSU also was awarded a federal grant for suicideprevention efforts, and the project is now sustainable thanks to the commitment of multiple units on campus.

To elaborate on the theme of collaboration, there are multiple units on campus that address student mental health, including the Counseling Center, Student Health Services at Olin and in the Neighborhoods, the Psychological Clinic, the Couple and Family Therapy Clinic, the Employee Assistance Program, the MSU Psychiatry Clinic, Safe Place, Graduate Life and Wellness and the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. Many of these units work closely together to coordinate clinical and prevention services to serve more students.

Regarding access to services, it may be helpful to outline the Counseling Center’s intake process and our clinical model. As the center’s website indicates, we use a same-day, walk-in system for students’

initial visit. This model emphasizes accessibility and crisis intervention.

As resources permit, additional services are provided beyond the initial meeting. Some students are seen in timelimited individual or group counseling in the center, some are referred for concurrent psychiatric or medical care at Student Health Services, some are referred to off-campus providers for longer-term or specialized treatment and some students who are not in crisis and who are able and willing to wait are placed on a waitlist for roughly two to six weeks before they are assigned for ongoing counseling.

To help students during this interim period, the center now offers drop-in support groups two days per week. The walk-in system is also available during open office hours for any student on the waitlist who is in crisis or requires a followup consultation.

Finally, I would like to emphasize that the national trends highlight the fact that mental health is a public health issue, and as such, it is a community responsibility. Each person at MSU can play a role in creating a healthier campus by attending to our own stress, by communicating with authenticity, and by expressing concern for the suffering of others.

By moving this issue into the forefront of our collective awareness, we help to create a richer, more diverse and more connected campus culture. Too often, we equate mental health with strength of will and rational control over our emotional experience. Instead, we might benefit from adopting an attitude of receptivity, empathy and compassion toward ourselves and each other.

“

In a general sense, many more students are currently experiencing psychological stress that impacts their lives as students.”

Scott Becker, acting director of the Counseling Center

Monday’s Poll Results

JUST SO YOU KNOW 24%

What are your spring break plans?

39% 24% 12% PERCENT

I will be on campus I will visit family I’m going on a vacation to party I plan to go on alternative spring break Total votes: 43 as of 5 p.m. Monday

Today’s state news poll Do you think Team USA has lived up to its initial expectations in the Olympics?

To vote, visit statenews.com.

Check out the state news opinion on Twitter:

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state n e ws.com | The Stat e N ews | t u esday, Feb r ua ry 18 , 2014 |

Sports

By Zach Smith

Merchant confident msu ready for last games

zsmith@statenews.com

By Omari Sankofa II

THE STATE NEWS

osankofa@statenews.com

nn

THE STATE NEWS nn

Betsy Agosta /The State News

Nebraska forward Terran Petteway guards sophomore guard Gary Harris on Sunday at Breslin Center. Harris scored 18 points during the game.

“He’s missing some shots, and a couple of those shots were like layups for him. Gary will come through” Tom Izzo, head men’s basketball coach

Mechanically, there’s nothing wrong with anyone’s shot, it got us to this point.”

Harris’ potential for having a big night outweighs any coach from planning for his lack of offense, something Nebraska head coach Tim Miles acknowledged following his team’s victory.

Miles’ strategy for stopping Harris was to put a big body on him and pray he didn’t come out of his slump against them.

Harris is one of the quieter guys on the team, Izzo said. He admitted it’s sometimes hard to get a good read on him.

In the past few days, Harris and Izzo have talked in-depth about other players across the

Classified Ad AcceptAnce All ads are subject to editing, alterations, approval, or rejection

by The State News management.

country going through the same stretch.

Still, Izzo has faith in Harris because he doesn’t make excuses and he’s putting in the work to right the ship this season.

“To me, Gary was the best he’s been in a while (against Nebraska),” Izzo said. “His defense was good, his free throw shooting was good.

He’s missing some shots, and a couple of those shots were like layups for him.”

More online …

To read another story from the MSU basketball team, visit statenews.com.

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

With just four games remaining in the regular season, it’s unquestionably “crunch time” for the No. 23 women’s basketball team.

But during her weekly press conference on Monday, head coach Suzy Merchant used a different term — “February fight.”

Only t wo weeks remain in the regular season for the Spartans. As they are in a tie for the second-place Big Ten spot with No. 17 Nebraska, the final games will be pivotal in determining what teams earn a share of the Big Ten title.

"I think if you want to be a championship team, you want to win a championship, you gotta fight in February, and you gotta dig a little deeper than the guy in front of you,” Merchant said. ”I’ve always kinda believed in that February fight mentality. Fighters usually win.”

Head coach Suzy Merchant says the team must take control of the tempo in its upcoming games to earn wins Fresh off a 70-49 home victory against Ohio State last Saturday, the Spartans are in a favorable spot to maintain the team’s second-place position in the conference standings, something they’ve fought for.

To catch first-place Penn State, who is 11-2 in the conference and ranked No. 9 nationally, likely would require MSU to go undefeated for the rest of the season and Penn State to lose a fair share of games.

The Spartans have two home games and two away games left on the slate, with one upcoming on the road against Wisconsin on Thursday.

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“I think if you want to be a championship team, you want to win a championship, you gotta fight in February.”

Suzy Merchant, head women’s basketball coach

go to work and you dig a little deeper,” Merchant said.

“Everybody’s a little banged up and tired, but it’s a long year.

This is what you work so hard for.”

Merchant would like to see MSU lessen its dependence on fast-break scoring.

With junior guard K iana Johnson suspended indefinitely, the Spartans’ halfcourt execution has taken a hit, leading to a greater reliance on running and gunning.

It worked against Ohio State, but Nebraska shut MSU’s fastbreak offense down, leading to a blowout 76-56 victory for the Huskers two weekends ago.

"I think our men kinda go through that too, they’re kinda driven to get the ball down the floor and score easy buckets,

and if people are sending people back, their poor core e xec ut ion b ecome s more significant and important,” Merchant said. “I think that’s critical.”

Merchant said she saw progress during last week’s bye week.

For MSU to continue to improve, it has to take command of the remaining games.

"You can’t just roll with the punches and think it’s going to be the same all the time,” Merchant said. “I believe if you want something, you go get it.

You don’t wait for something to happen and you don’t hope it happens.

“This is a time where teams that are driven and focused know that and come into work every day … to get better.”

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8 — The marketplace expands. Assumptions disintegrate in the face of new facts.

The job may be tough, so put in the preparation. Get it done despite distractions. Friends provide a boost. Others admire your work.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is an 8 — Find time to put together a new project. Don’t buy, sell or trade just yet.

Learn about a passion. Careful planning puts more money in your pocket. Jump right in, and land in a lovely moment.

Try something different.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 6 — You can get through where a nervous friend can’t. Think the problem through logically. You see the way. Schedule carefully.

Stash away a bounty for later, despite temptation to indulge in a luxury. Give in to fun with a friend instead.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is an 8 — Start your planning, and take on more responsibility. Ask for what is due to you.

Accept encouragement. Listen carefully. Discover other benefits. You have what you need.

Romance hits you hard when you least expect. Go with it.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 6 — Test the limits, and assume authority. Get feedback from a person with great taste. Exercise good judgment. Keep some cash on hand, just in case. Controversy rages on without you. Listen carefully and observe quietly.

Insight dawns.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 6 — You’re especially cute and popular now. Recognize your own stubbornness. Laugh at it for extra points. Have the gang over to your house. All isn’t as it appears. Discuss your preferences, so you know what they are.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 6 — Figure out how to cut travel costs or home expenses.

Stick to basics. Provide information. Entertain suggestions. A partner refreshes your memory. Insight illuminates your studies. Make a good impression by relying on your common sense.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 6 — Gather valuable information. Important people are saying nice things about you. Meetings conflict with family time. Don’t get into a silly argument. Get comfortable and rest. It’s a good time to be with friends. The admiration is mutual.

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6

Three-point shots missed

by Spartan guard Gary Harris in MSU’s loss to Nebraska this past Sunday.

women’s basketball

Gary Harris working way out of bad stretch

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

men’s basketball

Gary Harris hasn’t been himself for the last six games.

During that time, the sophomore guard has been in a slump, in which he’s scored in single digits against two of the top teams in the Big Ten. “I’m going to keep shooting regardless of it,” Harris said.

“I’m not worried about it. You get in a little rhythm here. You just have a short memory and keep playing.”

Harris was the leading scorer for MSU in a 60-51 loss to Nebraska on Sunday afternoon, but seven of his 18 points came from the free throw line, and he was 1-of-7 from three-point range.

And it’s hard to forget his performance against Wisconsin where he played 36 minutes and scored six points on 3-of-20 shooting, a performance that stands out as poor across the entire season.

Head coach Tom Izzo saw some improvement against the Cornhuskers.

“He shot well from the line, he took it to the hole,” Izzo said.

“To his credit he went and got seven rebounds and (a) tip dunk and did some other things.

“He’s in here every night shooting, he’s working on it morning, noon and night. All I can tell you is he’s woking on it.”

Despite the slump, Harris still is tied for third in both scoring (17.4 points per game) and 3-pointers made (2.3 per game) in the Big Ten. Redshirt freshman forward Kenny Kaminski is a shooter, so naturally, he’s been in his fair share of slumps.

He said it takes a strong mind to get through a shooting slump, and coming right out of the gate and making shots can help.

“It’s all mental,” Kaminski said. “It’s nothing wrong with anyone’s shot on the team, you’ve just got to have the confidence that every one of your shots are going to go in.

5A

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 6 — Keep the important stuff hidden. Get organized and clean up. Pamper yourself with small luxuries.

Your optimism and sensitivity increases. Imagine yourself in the winner’s circle. Venture out with your partner to play with friends. An unexpected development adds a new option.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7 — A conversation spurs you forward. Get the ones who know to confide in you. Others ask your advice.

Show the team your appreciation. Re-check basic assumptions. Travel plans revolve around comfort. Double-check reservations.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 6 — Group activities go well. Reinforcements are on the way. Unexpected costs could arise. Check bank records and re-assess your budget. Revolutionize your attitude and seek balance.

Harmonize colors. Get help to crank out profits. You look good.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7 — The competition is fierce, and you may encounter resistance. Let your partner take the lead. Together, you can push ahead. Your holdings are appreciating. Offer accommodation.

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Go Green!

Go White!

Go State!

6A | Th e Stat e N e ws | t ue sday, fe bruary 1 8 , 2 01 4

state n e ws.com

Features

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

r e l a x at i o n

Music retreat features live performers at planetarium

By Casey Holland cholland@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

With the soft melodies of a ukulele filling the room, students, faculty and community members were given a chance to escape their worries beneath a blanket of stars on Monday afternoon.

Once a month, Health4U, an MSU health promotion program, holds a “Rest With Mu sic ” e ve nt i n A br a m s Planetarium.

The event, which is free and open to anyone who needs a restful retreat, features live music in the relaxing darkness of the planetarium.

The ukulele duo of MSU alumni Ryan Hunt and Ben Fuhrman were the most recent performers for “Rest With Music.”

The two played an arrangeme nt t hat spread ac r os s many different genres of music — everything from The Beatles to Irving Berlin. As they strummed the strings of their ukuleles, the two created an atmosphere that made Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” feel like

a soothing lullaby.

Stars slowly began to dot the ceiling as Hunt and Fuhrman started to perform, the light gradually growing stronger as each song followed the other.

The shadowy outline of trees appeared along with the stars, giving audience members the illusion of laying in the forest at night as the clouds floated above them.

Hunt said he felt this was a good way for everyone to take advantage of MSU’s resources, adding that it was fun to see the planetarium thinking outside of the box with this new event.

“It felt tranquil the whole time,” said education sophomore Nicole Bush. “As the clouds went across the projection, all of my thoughts a nd problem s went w it h them.”

Though the planetarium has been holding a “Relax Under the Stars” session for 10 years, Health4U put “Rest Wit h Mu sic ” i nto ac t ion October 2013. Jon Novello, a Health4U counselor, said the idea stemmed from a combination of his interests in men-

tal health and music. “ We k now music has a specific impact on our emotions,” he said. “It can excite us, it can make us sad. The impact it has is amazing.”

Novello, who teaches a stress management class, taught a class last spring on the emotional impact of music.

One of his students told him that, while she liked the class, she thought that people would like a place where they could go, listen to music and “just chill out.”

This sparked Health4U’s pa r t ner sh ip w it h Abra m s Planetarium. They plan on continuing their live music performances throughout the year.

The next session is scheduled for March 17, when music theory professor Ron Newman and associate trumpet professor Rich Illman will play jazz tunes.

“I think this is important because it gives people in the middle of a work or school week a chance to come out, chill and relax,” Novello said.

“Ever yone that likes music talks about using music to relax.”

a pop of

culture

Creative advertising sophomore Becky Schultz looks at a group of paintings on Monday in a showroom of student work in Kresge Art Center. The group of acrylic paintings of Miley Cyrus is called “Disney’s Wrecking Ball” and is by art education senior Ashley Estrada.

Erin Hampton/The State News

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Cafe & Pub

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Make a Difference Feed the Future Panel Discussion & Reception:

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International Center, Room 115

Campus Office: 517.432.7474 or msupeace@msu.edu

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FEBRUARY 18, 2014

2B Spring Housing Guide | Th e State N ews | tu esday, feb r ua ry 18, 2014 | state n e ws.com

life on campus provides CONvenience, resources

By Kary Askew Garcia kaskew@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Finding a place to live can be stressful for MSU students because of the many factors that go into making the right decision.

Fortunately, living on campus offers convenience to many students and helps them to be worry-free about monthly bills and grocery costs, said Ashley Chaney, the Residence Education and Housing Services assistant director of communication.

“When students live on campus, they benefit from being closer to their classes and just steps away from resources offered in their neighborhoods,” she said.

She said part of the reason is because of nearby tutoring centers, libraries and quiet study lounges.

In addition, Residence Education and Housing Services as well as many other on-campus groups hold many events and host several programs making students feel a sense of togetherness and welcome.

Chaney said MSU has created a Live On Street Team, which is a group of students who live on campus that promote living on campus and hold fun events.

Media and information senior Martin Mukasa said he likes liv-

Photos by Erin Hampton/The State News

Owen Graduate Association Secretary James Kobbins passes out raffle tickets to students Feb. 13, 2014, at Owen Hall Government’s event “socialize to win a prize.”

ing on campus because of how convenient it is, and that convenience was the reason that he moved back.

Mukasa moved off campus his junior year to live in the Chandler’s Crossings apartments.

He said what he mostly enjoyed about apartment life was the increase of living space and ability to cook his own food.

He said he really disliked the on-campus cafeterias, and living in an apartment gave him the opportunity to cook his preferred cultural foods.

Despite the benefits of living

word on the street

off campus including different choices of food, Mukasa said it was more beneficial for him to move back on.

“I could stay longer at the library and walk back home since it was close by,” he said.

For him, living on campus offered more interaction with others and heightened his interest in attending on-campus events.

“I would definitely recommend people trying out both on and off campus life,” Mukasa said.

Pre-med sophomore Julie Frankowski currently lives in Shaw Hall, but said she plans to

Applied engineering science junior James Rohloff, left, socializes with microbiology senior Mohamed Askar after Rohloff won a Valentine’s Day gift Feb. 13, 2014, at Owen Hall Government’s event “socialize to win a prize.”

move off campus for her junior year.

Frankowski said part of her reason to move off campus is for financial reasons, the other part, like Mukasa, is because of her distaste for the cafeterias.

“I don’t get a choice in what I get to eat (every day),” she said.

Frankowski said she has enjoyed her time living on campus, but thinks it’s time to move off and get a new experience.

She said she will be moving to University Terrace apartments.

“It’s still really close to campus, it’s right across the street. I still have the convenience of almost

living on campus,” she said.

Chaney said living on campus provides more opportunities for students to be social.

“Students do not need to leave their hall to get involved,” Chaney said, adding that there are many groups to join that are in students’ own residence halls.

Would you rather live on campus or off campus and why?

On campus vs. off campus

“I like living off campus.

There’s more freedom with living off campus and more things to do, like along Grand River.”

“I like living on campus, and I will be next year.

I like being closer to classes, and I don’t have to make my own food.”

“I prefer off campus because you have a bigger place and your own room.

I also like being able to control your diet.”

“I like living on campus.

There’s a lot of access to facilities and everything is generally closer. I like the convenience of it.”

Ian Meador kinesiology senior

Amanda Surace elementary education junior

Tejas Soni biosystems engineering sophomore

Deon Howard marking junior

“I like living off campus.

There’s more freedom to be louder, and you don’t have to worry about coming into the dorm and handing them your ID late.”

We asked MSU students if they preferred living off campus or on campus in the residence halls. Some prefer on campus because of its convenience, but others favor the freedom of life off campus. compiled by Casey holl and | Sn

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Spring Housing Guide

stat e ne ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | t u es day, f eb rua ry 18 , 2014 |

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Fair housing rights to keep in mind Tenant rights are protected by the Fair Housing Act and the city — here’s a few

By Celeste Bott

Know your rights

cbott@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

S

tudents searching for a home for the next school year should know they are protected by the Fair Housing Act before they sign on the line.

No one can be discriminated in housing rentals based on their race, religion, sex or disability.

Fair housing means that everyone has the same right to purchase, lease or occupy residential property under federal and state law.

Potential student tenants also cannot be turned away from a rental lease based on age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or their legal source of income.

Fair housing violations can present themselves in a variety of ways not necessarily visible to the average renter, according to information available on the city of East Lansing’s website.

For example, a student tenant might be a victim of housing discrimination if a landlord tells them a housing unit is unavailable to tour when it actually is still on the market and available for rent.

Housing agencies aren’t allowed to advertise “no students” in renter or buyer characteristics, just as they aren’t allowed to discriminate by race or sexuality.

It’s also considered dis-

Students who plan to sign a lease should realize their rights. Here are a few things people renting a house should know before signing their name on the line.

No one can be discriminated in housing rentals based on their race, religion, sex or disability.

Everyone has the same right to purchase, lease or occupy residential property under federal and state law.

Potential student tenants cannot be turned away based on age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or their legal source of income.

Every resident is entitled to the same perks offered to residents of their rental.

If a student feels like he or she is being discriminated against by a housing agency or landlord, complaints can be filed with the East Lansing Human Relations Commission.

state news file photo

Then-No preference sophomore Angelita Salazar, far left, and then-public health sophomore Ellyn Herberth listen as Hagan Reality agent Matt Hagan explains the lease the girls are signing for a house on Virginia Ave. on Oct. 17, 2011. Signing a lease tends to be a stressful process for many students, who must find a house early in order to get a good location with an affordable price.

Source: Cit y of East L ansing, Fair Housing Act

ment complex, for instance.

A student with a disability can’t be disregarded in housing sales or rentals, and that student is entitled to reasonable accommodations in their chosen place of residence.

If a student feels like he or she is being discriminated against by a housing agency or landlord, complaints can be filed with the East Lansing Human Relations Commission.

In 2011, the East Lansing City Council analyzed current challenges to fair housing choices in city limits in its Analysis of Imped-

crimination if a housing agency advertises that a certain property is available to preferred groups of people only.

They also can’t use qualifying standards like credit histories against students.

Terms and conditions for rentals or housing loans can’t change for different groups of people.

There also can’t be inequity between the services provided to residents — every resident is entitled to the same perks in a given apart-

“This summer I’m going home to work at a vet clinic.”

Tanner Yurk Pre-vet sophomore

“I’m staying in East Lansing taking 9 credits.

I live off campus.”

Goria Liu Hospitality business junior

word on the street

Where are you staying over the summer?

compiled by Sar ah konkel | Sn

“I don’t know yet. I have a friend that lives here and I’ll probably just move in with them. I’m just trying to get a job.”

Angie Crawley Accounting senior

“I’m subleasing somewhere. I want to stay up here to work at Element 84 to get more experience for my career.”

Check out the state news on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/thesnews

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A community survey cited lack of affordable homes and rental opportunities as a reason for movement ing choice in the city.

Responses indicated an awareness of racial segregation in East Lansing and a clear separa-

tion between homeowners and renters — “resident versus student” distinctions.

Respondents also cited a lack of affordable homes and rental opportunities as a reason for the consistent movement out of East Lansing.

Community members acknowledged East Lansing is a college town and the presence of MSU clearly is affecting the local housing market.

Unsurprisingly, there are a greater proportion of student tenants versus families, senior citizens or other social demographics.

The study found that there are few impediments to fair housing and the city accommodates a racially and economically diverse populations.

The study pointed to barriers of affordability — in other words, housing in East Lansing is expensive for both students and families.

The study also found that there is a lack of education and awareness of fair housing laws.

Many students might not know their fair housing rights or if they are being discriminated against.

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lauren gibbons lgibbons@statenews.com

Finding subleaser a struggle As the days grew longer and summer drew nearer last spring, most of my friends were on cloud nine. All that stood between them and a break from school work were a few weeks and a smattering of exams.

I, on the other hand, was freaking out. A $500-a-month rent bill for the months of May through August loomed before me, but I still didn’t have anyone to fill a room I wouldn’t be able to occupy.

I was heading out of town for a summer internship, where I would need to pay another rent bill. Although my internship was paid, shelling out $800 a month for rent alone was a daunting prospect.

At first, I was hopeful the ordeal would be over quickly, considering my house was so close to campus and Grand River Avenue.

But as the weeks of spring semester zoomed by, prospects became less likely.

One close friend from high school ended up living at home for the summer instead of staying in East Lansing. An acquaintance found a cheaper deal in an apartment with a pool. A friend of a friend decided to take a room right across the street from me instead.

I knew fewer people lived in East Lansing during the summer, but trying to find someone to live in my house made me acutely aware.

It became a desperate situation. I spent most of my free time on Craigslist, allMSU and MSU Facebook housing groups, posting gratuitous descriptions and carefully watching for anyone

with even a passing interest.

I must have sent out hundreds of Facebook messages to prospective takers. “You’re looking for a room in East Lansing? I have one of those. You want parking?

You bet I have parking! You want furnishings? Believe me, I have that. And of course, I’m close to campus. I also have air conditioning, heat, a washer, a dryer, furnishings, nice roommates, pretty much anything you could ever desire.�

Most of those messages went unanswered. It seemed like most of the other hopeful sellers were in a similar position as me — few posts offering up a room had any hits at all.

Every time I got a shred of interest, I went on a deepcleaning spree of my entire four-story house. No corner went un-vacuumed, no cobweb unswept. I even spent the day after my wisdom teeth were removed cleaning — a decision I later regretted immensely.

Despite my best efforts, I went into exam week thinking I’d have to bear the brunt of two full rent prices. I felt like a failure.

But the day before I was set to move, a message popped up into my Facebook inbox. A fellow was interested and was ready to sign on as long as he could pay $250 a month and had something to sleep on.

Could it be true? I could hardly believe it, even after he wrote me a check for the first month.

After months of fruitless effort, I’d gotten a subleaser in the door. He was paying half my rent and didn’t come up until the last possible moment, but at that point, I didn’t really care.

Summer is fast approaching once more. I’m not going to be naive.

But regardless of the housing market and regardless of the price cut I will have to take to get someone in the door, I will not give up. Someone’s got to take it eventually, right?

Right?

Lauren Gibbons is the managing editor for The State News. Reach her at lgibbons@statenews.com.

So you want a subleaser...

Some tips for students looking to get prospective summer subleases in the door and keeping them there With so many people trying to get out of East Lansing for the summer and so few staying behind, the struggle of finding a subleaser to live in a room and pay for at least part of its summer rent is real. It doesn’t help that the vast majority of East Lansing rental residences are a yearlong lease, even though many people choose to leave campus once they’re done hitting the books.

Here are some tips for those who want to move elsewhere without being stuck paying full rent on a place they’re not even living.

Good luck! — Lauren Gibbons, The State News

Put it on the market.

for sale

The first and easiest thing to do is to plaster your available room in as many marketplaces as possible. Some choose to go with the option of placing flyers throughout campus, but with so many resources available online, there can be easier ways to do it. There is an MSU Housing Facebook group that connects prospective subleasers with people who are selling, which can be a convenient way to reach out to people looking for a place. Other online venues also can get the word out, such as allMSU, Craigslist or your own Facebook page to see if any of your friends are interested or know someone who is.

Showcase your place’s best qualities.

When you write a description of your room and its surroundings, be sure to play up its best qualities. Although everyone is looking for something slightly different, amenities such as easy parking, free laundry, proximity to campus and a low price are pretty general features most potential subleasers will be looking for. Have a big room, great yard, pool access, air conditioning or some other awesome feature? Make sure to advertise that as well.

Be vigilant.

!

People aren’t going to be falling all over you looking to live in your room for the summer unless you live in a mansion. There’s a lot of work involved. Follow up on every lead and be willing to accommodate anyone who seems like they have more than just a passing interest. Reach out to people on MSU Housing or elsewhere who are in the summer housing market and give them a more detailed description based on what they’re looking for. Offer to show them your place whenever is most convenient for them. But also make sure to have a lot of options — people searching for summer housing can be fickle and change their minds at the last minute, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Make it presentable.

One of the biggest turnoffs when a person is looking for a place to rent is uncleanliness. If you’re serious about subleasing, get serious about cleaning your house or apartment before you start showing it to prospective subleasers. The empty alcohol bottles, the dishes in the sink and the weird stain on your carpet won’t be doing you any favors if they’re still there when you’re trying to convince someone your place is the best place to live.

Be prepared to compromise.

Let’s get real — no one is going to be willing to spend however much you paid per month for the room you lived in during the school year. The East Lansing summer housing market just doesn’t work that way. If you don’t convince a prospective subleaser your house is the best deal, someone else will. Sometimes this means lowering the price, sometimes this means paying utilities for them and it could even mean leaving some of your furniture to keep the place furnished. Whatever you end up having to do, it’s probably better than footing your summer rent bill all by yourself.

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Spring Housing Guide Several Spartans shared

stat e ne ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | T U E Sday, F E B RUA RY 18 , 2014 |

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their living plans for Fall 2014

compiled by Emily Jenks | Sn

“I commute, I live in Rochester. It’s too expensive to live offcampus and its more convenient for me.”

“I’m going to live in Chandler Crossing because I have three really close friends and we all wanted to live together.”

Karolyn Clever Senior Chemistry

Gabrielle Groce Sophomore Education

I’m going to live in Gilchrist Hall because I’m in the Honors College and you can pick honors floors, and Gilchrist is really cool and old-looking.”

“I’ll be living off-campus in a house because living in a house is cheaper than an apartment longterm, since I divide rent between roommates.”

Andrew Morgan Freshman Physics

Jonathan Trites Senior Media Information

“I’m living off-campus next year because I like living in an apartment with my current roommate.”

“I’m living in an off-campus apartment because it’s cheaper, and I like the location for the bars.”

Andrew Lee Junior Linguistics

Alexa Keene Senior Media Information

The right time to move out of the dorms one year in the dorms

Geoff Preston gpreston@statenews.com

One year in the dorms is enough As I was packing my bags to begin the adventure of attending MSU, I was reading a book about what to expect in college (I was a loser). The book began the section on living in the dorms with: “You will only live in an enclosed space with a complete stranger you had no way of choosing twice in your life. College dorms and prison.”

This ringing endorsement for dorm life left me a little uneasy about living in the residence halls. Is the meal plan nice?

Sure. Is it cool to have hundreds of similar-aged college kids in one place? Yes, it has its perks. Living in the dorms is fine as a freshman, but the day I turn around and sign up

for a double in a residence hall is the day I root for Michigan.

I’ve lived in the dorms, an apartment complex and currently live in a house, so I’ve been able to gauge the entire collegiate living experience. As long as you can make your own rules, it doesn’t matter where you live, and that’s a hard thing to come across in a dorm.

Not that my dorm experience was bad. I made the closest friends I have in my residence hall.

But freedom is the first thing you notice when you move off campus. College is described as a time in someone’s life when they learn independence and how to fend for themselves. It is hard to do that with an Resident Assistant 50 feet from you at all times.

When you move off campus, all of a sudden, no one is keeping track of who is coming in and out of your living space, what you are doing in your living space and what items you have in your living space. The freedom isn’t only liberating, it is an important part of the education someone receives outside of the classroom during their college years.

If you do move off campus, I would find a place with your own room — it isn’t easy to put

a price on time spent alone. It is a great way to reflect at the end of the day by yourself and it is a great place to get some studying or schoolwork done.

When you’re not studying, one thing that is easier to do when you live off campus is venture, well, off campus. East Lansing is quite the college town and it is also a town I knew almost nothing about after my freshman year.

If you live on campus, almost all of the amenities you need are located on campus. I rarely ventured off campus to find places to eat (that I couldn’t afford) or bars (that I couldn’t get into) or any of the other cool parts of East Lansing.

You miss that in the dorms.

Dorms are a great transition from living with your parents to living on your own.

Resources exist to make the transition easier while giving you a muffled sense of independence. After freshman year, though, it is time to look outside the dorm comforts and begin the most important part of your education at this school. How to live on your own.

Geoff Preston is the cops and courts reporter for The State News. Reach him at gpreston@statenews.com.

two years in dorms

Emily Jenks ejenks@statenews.com

Two years on campus is valuable Living on campus is an experience you can only get in college years.

Each dorm, from Hubbard to Brody Complex, has something awesome and unique to offer. The community atmosphere is unrivaled, the food is endless and the Sparty’s Combo-X-Change saves lives Monday through Friday.

As an incoming freshman this year, I was incredibly nervous about where I would live. I had a pretty good idea of what dorms were considered good and which were less desirable because I have eight MSU alumni in my family.

Case Hall, home to athletes and a new cafeteria, was at the top of my “that’s where I want to live” list, but I ended up in Akers Hall. I had never heard anything about East Neighborhood, so I had no idea what to expect.

Akers has a unique living plan with four students in one room — which meant I was going to live with two extra girls than I had banked on. Then, I was told I was in transitional housing. Five girls, one bathroom.

Don’t worry, almost everything turned out all right. The transitional girl found another room in the first week. The girl I thought I was going to have problems with became one of my closest friends.

The girl who I thought was quiet and shy actually has a great sense of humor.

The last girl has problems with me and the other girls, but her presence is a blessing in disguise.

Having a bad roommate isn’t exactly fun, but it has taught me to be patient, not to take everything seriously, and to brush off annoying situations — she once had a hissy fit because I was in the shower when she wanted to brush her teeth.

From just hanging out in

the study lounges or going to Akers Hall events, like a blackout party we had a few months ago, I’ve made a lot of friends.

It’s comforting to know that you’re surrounded by hundreds of people and you can knock on anyone’s door. In apartments, doors are closed most of the time because upperclassmen have already established their friendships.

Freshmen like me, on the other hand, are still exploring MSU. We’re given an enormous campus filled with Spartans, and the best way to meet anyone is to live in a closeknit dorm where new adventures are just down the hall.

Next year, I’ll be living in Landon Hall in West Circle with one of my best friends. It will be closer to my classes, Grand River Avenue, and my go-to Biggby Coffee in the Union ... goodbye spending money.

I chose to live on campus again next year to not only save my parents’ money, but because living in a dorm is a unique and convenient experience that can only happen these four or five fleeting years.

Even if it means dealing with early morning roommate fights.

Emily Jenks is a reporter at The State News. Reach her at ejenks@statenews.com.

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stat e n ews.co m | T he Stat e N ews | t u es day, f eb rua ry 18 , 2014 |

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Off-campus properties fill up quicker than usual for fall 2014

By Geoff Preston and Lauren Gibbons gpreston@statenews.com and lgibbons@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Although there are students out there still searching for a house or apartment, some property management companies are nearly all booked up for the next school year.

A ll of the Hagan Realt y properties except for a house the company just purchased are completely full, according to Property Manager Brian Hagan said.

“This was our fastest year in recent memor y,” Hagan said. “All our properties are rented for the next year, with the exception of one we just bought.

Many property management companies sold most, if not all, their off-campus properties in fall 2013 For quite some time, they have been rented.”

Hagan said he found that ma ny st udents interested in leasing from them were “k nowledgable” about the housing process and were ready to go at the beginning of the fall.

Some students even called the company to inquire during the summer prior, he said.

Not every housing company in East Lansing is fully booked for fall 2014, but many other property management com-

“This was our fastest year in recent memory. All our properties are rented for the next year, with the exception of the one we just bought. For quite some time, they have been rented.”

Brian Hagan, property manager at Hagan Realty

panies experienced the same thing Hagan Realty did.

Students lined up outside several proper t y management companies in the fall to get the best deals and housing locations near downtown East Lansing.

In October, at least 50 people camped out on the lawn of Community Resource Management Co., or CRMC, to be the first ones to make an attempt at signing leases with the company for fall 2014.

Prospective renters had to arrive the night before to hold their spot and put their names in for the house they were requesting.

The process was conducted on a first come, first serve basis.

Those who waited the longest were rewarded with either their first or second options, but some students either had to go for an alternative option or decide to lease with a different company.

state news file photo

From left to right, criminal justice sophomore Dillon McGreal, advertising and communication sophomore Alex Byers, kinesiology junior Brandon Burke, and geography and geographic information sciences junior Brianna Gerondale set up camp outside the Community Resource Management Co. leasing office Oct. 9, 2013. They planned to stay overnight to be first in line for sign ups.

CRMC President David Olson told The State News at the time that the company’s leasing process was changed for fall 2013.

The process used to span the course of several days as students filed in to resign their homes or sign on to new ones.

Getting a rental with CRMC takes a lot of planning, Olson told The State News.

Many residents even gathered at Biggby Coffee across the street the afternoon before for a shot at their coveted house.

Still looking for an off-campus house?

T

he hype surrounding off-campus housing in early fall might make it seem like the time has long passed for finding a suitable room that’s not in a dorm.

But despite the clear interest demonstrated by zealous house-hunters in the fall, there still are some options available for those who would like to experience something a bit different than the oncampus experience.

Many students who wait a while before making their housing decisions still can find satisfying and fun places to live, even if it’s not the house right down the street from Crunchy’s or Rick’s American Cafe.

Here are a few places to look if you’re still looking to live off campus next year.

Leftover apartments Some of East Lansing’s apartment complexes still are looking for renters to fill up rooms left over from initial housing efforts in the fall.

The Lodges of East

Lansing still have some options available and recently announced in a statement that prospective renters could save up to $200 in apartment fees if they signed as soon as possible.

Other apartments such as Abbott Place are offering similar reduced fees.

Abbott Place also is having an open house for potential applicants on Feb. 21.

Broken leases Because many students signed up so early for housing, it’s entirely plausible some students are on the hunt for people to take over the lease they signed on to in October.

Students who are transferring out of MSU or who have to break their initial housing obligations might post their plight on allMSU, Craigslist or the MSU Housing Facebook group.

Other students who signed onto a lease might need an additional

roommate to live with them after they sign their lease.

People who missed out on the initial wave of housing potentially could benefit.

Although such opportunities would come up on a case-by-case basis, keeping in contact with friends and letting them know you’re still in the market can help introduce you to the perfect option.

websites.

Live in Lansing If you’re looking for a completely different experience to the general East Lansing scene, living in Lansing also can be an

Mar y Claire Abbot t, an undecided freshman, was one of those lined up who got a coveted location with four of her friends at CRMC. She told The State News she and her friends were there throughout the night, but not-

ed the process seemed slightly over-the-top and rather unnecessary.

“I think if you get your name on the board, you shouldn’t have to sleep here as long as you’re here at 7 a.m.,” she told The State News at the time.

For those who didn’t sign a lease right away, housing options still available option.

Crossing the border sometimes can help alleviate some of the major rent costs associated with living off campus near the bars or downtown in East Lansing.

However, anyone interested in looking into options in the Lansing area should also take the costs of either gas or a bus pass into account.

— Lauren Gibbons, The State News

Empty houses Even though students still looking for a place to live might not find a spot in the best student neighborhoods, it’s certainly plausible some leasing companies still have openings in homes further away from campus.

Check with various off-campus property management companies, as well as some of the independent homeowners who only have a few properties to rent out each year.

Most leasing websites in the area will advertise available homes on their

Jump Start Your Spring Move

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www.twitter.com/thesnews

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East Lansing 517.336.4100 thebeaumontlife.com

Prudden Place www.2900placeapartments.com | (517) 351-5199

Downtown Lansing 517.492.1383 pruddenplace.com

The Stadium District Downtown Lansing 517.492.1383 thestadiumdistrict.com

8B Spring Housing Guide | Th e State N ews | Tu esday, Feb r ua ry 18, 2014 | state n e ws.com

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