Thursday 7/16/15

State News The

MSU affiliates sentenced Meng Long Li, an alumnus charged with assault, and former MSU employee Brandi Moody charged with embezzlement appeared in court - SEE PAGE 4

THE PRICE OF PACE Parking in downtown East Lansing causes problems for many students and residents. We rode along with a PACE officer to get an inside look at the process of enforcing parking code violations. SEE PAGES 6-7

F E AT U R E S

OPINION

COMMON GROUND

Embracing awkward Summer expenses allow for looser budgets situations on campus Students find more funding for They can’t be avoided, so learn to enjoy them — PAGE 2 T HU R S DAY, JULY 16 , 2 015

freedom and fun in the summer — PAGE 8 @THESNEWS

STAT ENEWS .COM

Humans of Common Ground A number of fans at Common Ground Music Festival describe the atmosphere — PAGE 9

Opinion Embrace awkward situations on campus

BY RYAN SQUANDA RSQUANDA@STATENEWS.COM

I tell you what, I really don’t know what it is. I’m not sure how it happens, but it seems I’m always finding myself in another awkward situation.

Maybe it’s because I’m a little awkward myself — my mugshot associated with this column might speak for itself.

Awk wa rd sit uat ion s on campus seem to be almost unavoidable and I can’t be the only one experiencing them.

But seriously, it happens all the time, so much so, that my roommate most recently remarked, “Why do these things never happen to me?”

The situations range from me finding a drunk, naked kid

who had somehow broken into my house and passed out on the couch in the middle of the night, to having to explain to a couple of farmers how and why my friends stole one of their hay bales and burnt it to the ground the night before.

However, the story I’m about to tell will be different — it’s one that, in the moment, seemed like another one of those typical awkward situations I seem to always find myself in. But after I had some

W E D N E S DAY ’ S R E S U LT S

Do you use digital or printed books during the school year?

BY RACHEL FRADETTE RFRADETTE@STATENEWS.COM

To procrastinate or not to procrastinate, that is the question.

Every student in some form or another faces the great procrastination debate — whether or not to wait until the very last minute to study or do an assignment.

When finals and midterms come around, students have to decide when to study and a good number of them choose to wait. Even though there are several warnings against it and lists on how to avoid the “procrastination problem,” students still choose the riskier route.

Procrastination can stem from a variety of things, but

40%—I only use printed books for all of my classes.

18%—I try to only use digital books for all of my classes.

41%—I have a mixture of both types during the school year.

TOTAL VOTES: 87 AS OF 12 P.M. WEDNESDAY

Be a Peace Corps volunteer, and watch your career blossom

peacecorps.gov/openings 1.855.855.1961 | chicago@peacecorps.gov THE STATE N E WS

time to look back and reflect upon it, had a neat little life lesson to it.

Life is represented by two separate, yet equally important groups.

There are the people who cause awkward situations, and the people who experience these situations because of my own awkwardness. These are their stories.

(Insert Law & Order sound effect here) I was riding my bike down Grand River Avenue when I was stopped by the light at Abbott Road.

As I was waiting for the walk sign to come on, an old man also riding his bike pulled up alongside me.

Normally in this situation, people avoid eye contact and

don’t say a word to each other.

All over campus, this is the normal way to act. Do not acknowledge other humans unless forced.

It’s like when you get to a big lecture hall and everybody sits with a seat in between each other, sits in silence and Yik Yak, (of course an anonymous app) about each other.

But this guy must not know the general college social norms.

“Are you having fun?” he asked me.

“What do you mean?” my awkward self answered. I didn’t know what he meant.

At the time, I think I was a little stressed out about something. So I don’t think I was necessarily having fun.

“Well, you’re alive aren’t

you?” the man said. “A nd that’s fun, fun, fun!”

“Uhhh ... I guess,” I replied.

“Well, time to go!” the old man said and cut me off as the walk sign came on.

And just like that, he rode off. I’ll probably never see that guy again.

You know what, though?

Think about it. The guy is right.

Thank you, random old guy riding his bicycle down Grand River Avenue.

The lesson here is you will experience these weird, awkward situations during all aspects of campus life, but the easiest way to deal with them is embrace it.

Welcome t he weirdness because it’s one of the best parts of being in college.

Procrastination can be a good thing

OPINION P O LL

2

Rachel Fradette Opinion editor opinion@statenews.com @thesnewsopinion

THURSDAY, JULY 1 6 , 2 01 5

laziness is the greatest factor.

Personally, I am a self-diagnosed, professional procrastinator. I do better work when I have the time pressure on my shoulders.

Psychologists have obviously done t he resea rc h and on more than one occasion mentioned the negative effects of being a notorious procrastinator.

But it works for me.

My assignments are always in on time and I never forget the due dates. I’m always conscious of when things are due, but I choose to delay my work because of a thrill-seeking, so far positive, outcome.

People are different; procrastination isn’t something I’m proud of, but it fits with my work ethic. I’m not lazy and not all procrastinators are.

Studying the last few days before a test has given me better results than long term studying before hand. The so called “vicious cycle” of pro-

crastinating repeats when a positive result occurs, maybe that’s why I need the time crunch to produce my best work.

P ro c r a st i nat ion c a n b e positive, but it can also be extremely negative. It’s an odd fact, however, that you need to be the right kind of procrastinator — active.

Actively considering the deadline, and choosing to use your time in a different way.

For instance, you are using your time in a different manner instead of just being a couch potato until the assignment is due.

There is a lot of heat toward procrast inat ion a nd it is always considered a bad idea.

I’m not asking for people to encourage procrastination, but it is annoying to always hear people denounce it without a consideration of the other side.

Procrastination in decision making could also create a beneficial result by slowing

BY DEON HOWARD

down the process and going through all the possibilities of an outcome.

It can work in that way, but alternatively, you could wait until the last minute and only have your gut to go on. I have heard several success stories of people going with their gut with major life decisions who experience an essential, confident result.

It is not a popular way of thinking and the idea of procrastinating actually leading to success can be radical.

Despite all this, I think a little procrastination in everyone is a good thing.

The perfect organizer needs to let things ride out sometimes instead of considering every single outcome. If procrastinating does nothing else, it makes you live a little bit on the edge.

Different students have different ways of learning, if procrastination happens to be one of their methods, than to each his own.

C A R TO O N ONLINE

Next week, The State News editorial board will meet to discuss the changes to East Lansing’s recycling process.

Submit your comments to opinion@ statenews. com

Contents INSIDE

Meng Long Li sentenced for karaoke bar assault

Schools over state tuition cap might be beneficial to MSU

Numerous MSU football players in consideration for major awards

PAGE 4

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

Supply Chain junior Sean Burke Jr. writes down the order of a customer while working in the Eat At State ON-THE-GO food truck near Wells Hall on July 10. Burke said he loves the fact that he is able to serve all the students at MSU and it is a fun place to work. PHOTO: JOSHUA ABRAHAM

W E E K LY N U M B E R

260 Researchers from the College of Human

“The system is unfortunate.

There have been so many times where I’ve come up to my car while they’re writing the ticket and they say it is too late.”

Jenny Chung, music education senior, on the strict guidelines set by PACE for parking in East Lansing.

See page 6.

Medicine will be able to conduct work at the new Grand Rapids Research Center.

See statenews.com.

VOL . 105 | NO. 152 CONTACT THE STATE NEWS (517) 432-3000 NEWSROOM/CORRECTIONS (517) 432-3070 feedback@statenews.com GENERAL MANAGER Marty Sturgeon (517) 432-3000 ADVERTISING M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, weekly on Thursdays during the summer.

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.

THUR SDAY, JULY 16, 2015

EDITORIAL STAFF (517) 432-3070 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AJ Moser CONTENT EDITOR Michael Kransz OPINION EDITOR Rachel Fradette COPY CHIEF Amber Parsell DESIGN EDITOR Lauren Shields Copyright © 2015 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich.

THE STAT E NE WS

3

News

Michael Kransz Content editor mkransz@statenews.com @thesnews

Meng Long Li to serve one year of jail time

BY CAMERON MACKO CMACKO@STATENEWS.COM

Meng Long Li reads a statement to the judge for his final comments. Although he maintained he was not the assailant in this crime, he expressed his sorrow for being “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He said there should be continuity among the Chinese international students. “We are here to study, not to hurt each other,” he said. PHOTO: CATHERINE FERLAND

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School, Office, Art & Computer Supplies

BOOKS STARTING AT 421 E. Grand River East Lansing, MI 48823

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THE STATE N E WS

HO U R S: Thursday, July 16

9am-7 p m

Moody ordered to repay MSU for $143,000 embezzled

Friday, July 17

9am-7 p m

Saturday, July 18

10am-6 p m

50%

off

99

RSQUANDA@STATENEWS.COM

Brandi Eileen Moody, the former MSU employee who had previously been convicted of embezzling as much as

)

erchandise

¢

FREE VALIDATED PARKING.

IN THE LARGE, COLORFUL RAMP BEHIND THE STORE

THURSDAY, JULY 1 6 , 2 01 5

BY RYAN SQUANDA

(and more!

m on selected

“I feel like I’ve dishonored my father and dishonored my family,” MSU alumnus Meng Long Li said at his sentencing on the morning of July 15. “The price of this lesson is too high.”

Meng Long Li was sentenced to one year in the Ingham County Jail by Judge Clinton Canady III for his involvement in the assault of fellow international student Yan Li during the 2014 Chinese New Year at a local karaoke bar. Found guilty last month of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery, he faced a maximum sentence of four years in prison.

The prosecutor for the trial, Kimberly Hesse, quickly fought down any suggestion from Meng Long Li’s defense attorney, Chris Bergstrom, who tried to negotiate down some points in the pre-sentencing report, arguing against classifications of aggravated physical abuse and excessive brutality.

Hesse referred to Chengguan, the alleged Chinese gang on MSU’s campus named after an infamous para-police force in China, of which she alleged Meng Long Li was a “ringleader.”

Based on witness testimony, Hesse alleged that Meng Long Li said, “How did it feel when I beat you last time?” to his victim that night. She was referring to an incident two months prior when Yan Li was allegedly assaulted by Meng Long Li. Canady didn’t bend to any of Bergstrom’s changes, saying “I have to take exception to Mr. Bergstrom’s assertion” that the assault wasn’t excessively brutal.

“This ... was far beyond normal aggravated assault,” he said, referring to the brutality of the water pitcher. Hesse also pointed to Meng Long Li allegedly shoving Yan Li’s girlfriend to the ground after she tried to protect him.

At the close of the sentencing, Meng Long Li himself spoke, and articulated how sorry he was and how he had disappointed his family. He said between the conviction and the sentencing he ”(had) never had so much time to think.”

He had been accepted to Columbia University after graduating from MSU at the end of 2014, but his admission was rescinded after his conviction, along with his Green Card. He expressed sorrow and noted how “everything’s gone wrong” in what had seemed a very bright future.

Though he still maintains he wasn’t the one who ultimately struck Yan Li with the water pitcher, he did confess to being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

His sister came from China to be there at the sentencing, although his parents were unable to make it, due in part to his mother’s health problems.

“You can’t avoid mistakes in life,” Meng Long Li said. “But you can always learn from it.”

His sympathetic address went almost ignored by Canady, who couldn’t look past testimonies about prior confrontations with his victim. Most of the prosecution’s original suggestion for his sentencing was ultimately taken up by the judge.

Five months of his sentence will be suspended, and he will also have to pay $704 in restitution to the State of Michigan, along with other state fees.

Meng Long Li has 42 days to appeal the decision.

$143,000 from MSU, was sentenced to five years of probation and a restitution fee of $43,000 to MSU. She has already paid back $100,000 of the money.

Moody was an administra-

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tion assistant in the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

MSU spokesperson Jason Cody told the LSJ she had been suspected of embezzling last August and was subsequently removed from her position.

“I just want to convey my deepest regret to Michigan State,” Moody said in court on Wednesday. “They were a wonderful employer.”

As of now, Moody’s sentencing of six months in the Ingham County Jail has been suspended by the court and she will not have to serve any time unless she violates her probation.

In addition, the court may consider early termination of Moody’s probation if she fulfills the rules of her probation and pays back the $43,000 in full.

ONLINE Abbott Road between Whitehills Drive to Saginaw Street is closing for two weeks starting July 20.

The inconvenience is because of an ongoing major street project. Check online at statenews.com for details on the detour.

News

Breach of state tuition cap might benefit MSU

BY JOSH THALL JTHALL@STATENEWS.COM

With both Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University raising tuition above the 3.2 percent state tuition cap, MSU could gain some additional state aid, according to an MSU spokesperson.

The tuition cap was created a few years ago by the Snyder administration as a way to prevent large tuition increases by offering universities incentives, such as additional funding, for not raising it above a certain percentage.

Oakland University and Eastern Michigan University decided to raise tuition by 8.48 percent and 7.8 percent respectively, well above the cap, and both universities lost their additional performance-based state funding that is awarded as an incentive to stay below the tuition cap.

EMU will lose just over $1 million in state aid and Oakland will lose just over $1.2 million, according to the Detroit News.

That money will now be divided up among the 13 public universities that did stay below the cap, MSU spokesperson Jason Cody said. Preliminary numbers show MSU could gain an additional $500,000 from the state as a result, Cody said.

Michigan State was scheduled to receive a $3.85 million increase — about 1.5 percent — but with the additional money, he said they will now be closer to a $4.35 million increase to their state funding, which in total was $264.5 million last year.

EMU could gain up to an additional $10 million from their decision to break the tuition cap and forfeit $1 million in state aid.

igan ranks near the bottom in terms of state higher education funding.

According to a report from the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, only seven states allocated less funding per full-time enrolled student than Michigan in 2014.

According to the report, in 2014 Michigan only allocated about $4,765 per full-time enrolled student compared to the approximately $10,962 per full-time student in tuition revenue at Michigan’s universities.

“Education needs to be a funding priority. MSU is a great research institution and requires an investment of money and attention to remain competitive,” Byrum said via email.

In 2011, MSU received about $283 million in state funding compared to the approximately $268 million MSU is prepared to receive from the state this year. Most of that deficit is due to the 15 percent cut in higher education in 2011.

Cody said the Board of Trustees takes raising tuition very seriously and they only raise it as much as they must to ensure MSU can remain a top research university with great facilities.

“We firmly believe that one of the best ways to keep the university affordable and accessible is to keep these tuition increases as low as possible, while at the same time being able to maintain our quality, which is why if you go back and look, here at MSU, we’ve been able to keep these increases fairly incremental and fairly consistent over the past couple years,” Cody said.

Byrum said the Board of Trustees takes many things into account when setting the tuition rates.

“Several factors go into our decision when set-

The MSU Board of Trustees discuss issues during their June 17, meeting at the Hannah Administration Building. PHOTO: JOSHUA ABRAHAM

Cody said lack of state funding has been becoming a big problem for Michigan’s public universities.

Cody said MSU used to receive about 70 percent of their funding from the state, and only about 30 percent came from student’s tuition, which allowed for lower tuition. But, over the past few decades those numbers have flipped, requiring a higher tuition to make up for the lack of state money.

Michigan State University Board of Trustees member Dianne Byrum said via email that MichTHUR SDAY, JULY 16, 2015

ting tuition rates,” Byrum said via email ”MSU tries to be very transparent in this process and posts information on our website. At the core of our decision-making process are the students.

We want to ensure MSU remains a high-value degree and a top-rated university open to everyone regardless of income.”

Byrum said some of the factors they consider include: state appropriation, fixed operational costs like energy; health care costs, salaries, infrastructure investments and upgrades to programs and computing power.

THE STAT E NE WS

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RELIGIOUS GUIDE Look for this directory in the paper every Thursday and online at: www.statenews.com/religious Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd., E. Lansing Between Hagadorn & Park Lake Rds. (517) 337-9703 Sunday Worship: 10am Sunday School: 9am Adult Bible Study: 9am ascensioneastlansing.org Faith Fellowship Baptist Church 1001 Dakin St. Lansing, MI 48912 517-853-9897 Sunday Morning Worship: 11am Sunday School: 10am Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study: 6:30pm Van service available to church Campus Bible Study: Thursday at 7:30pm in Chemistry Bldg. www.ffbc.us First Baptist Church of Okemos 4684 Marsh Rd. Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 349-2830 www.fbcokemos.org/worship Sunday worship: 10:45am Zelos Wednesday: 7pm night worship for summer

Little Flock Christian Fellowship A Non-DenominationalEvagelical Church MSU Alumni Chapel (Basement Hall) Sunday Worship Service: 10am-12 Noon.

Fellowship Lunch after the service Weekly Bibly Studies & Students’ Meetings. littleflock.msu@gmail.com littleflock@hotmail.com www.littleflock.org Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-0778 martinlutherchapel.org Sunday: 9:30am & 7:00pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) Okemos Community Church 4734 Okemos Rd. Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 349-4220 www.okemoscommunitychurch.org Sunday Worship: 10am Sunday School: 10am-11:15am Adult Studies: 9am & 11am

One Community-Lutheran (ELCA)/ Episcopal (TEC) Campus Ministry Greater Lansing 1020 South Harrison Rd. Church of Christ East Lansing, MI 48823 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. (517) 332-2559 East Lansing, MI 48823 www.facebook.com/on(517) 898-3600 ecommunitymsu Sunday Worship: 8:45am Sundays: 9:30am (at Sunday Bible Study: 10:15am University Lutheran Sunday Evening: Small Group Church) Sundays: 8am, Wednesday Bible Study: 10am (at All Saints 7:00pm Episcopal Church) www.greaterlansingcoc.org Peoples Church Hillel Jewish Student Center 200 W. Grand River Ave. 360 Charles St., E. Lansing East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-1916 (517) 332-6074 www.peoples-evolution.org Friday Night Sunday Worship: 8:30am, Services: 6pm, Dinner: 7pm 9:30am September - April Tuesday: Love Life: 7-9pm Wednesday: Dinner at Islamic Center of East 5:30pm, Journey at 6:30 Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd., East Red Cedar Friends Lansing, MI 48823 Meeting (517) 351-4309 1400 Turner St. www.Lansingislam.com Lansing, MI 48906 info@Lansingislam.com (517) 371-1047 1st Friday Prayer: 12:15 pm redcedarfriends.org 2nd Friday Prayer: 1:45 pm Sunday Worship: 9:00am, 10:30am

St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C. Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 337-9778 stjohnmsu.org Sunday: 8am, 10am, Noon, 7pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:15pm Trinity Church 3355 Dunckel Rd. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-3820 Saturday: 6pm Sunday: 9:15am, 11am trinitywired.com Unity Spiritual Renaissance 230 S. Holmes St. Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 484-2360 or (517) 505-1261 Sunday: 10:30am Wednesday: 6:30pm meditation Office: Monday-Thursday 9:30-12:00 University Baptist Church 4608 South Hagadorn Rd East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4144 www.ubcel.org 10 AM Worship service 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 Sunday School University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-5193 universitychristianwired.com Sunday: 11:15 am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15 am University United Methodist Church MSU Wesley 1120 S. Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-7030 universitychurchhome.org msuwesley.org Sunday: 10:30am 9:00am Garden Service in the summer TGIT: 8:00pm Thursdays Sept. - April WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbott Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 580-3744 www.msu.edu/~weisluth 6:00pm Saturday

Religious Organizations: Don’t be left out of the Religious Directory!

Call 517-432-3010 today to speak with an Account Executive

Spotlight

“Can I park here?”

With the cost of lots downtown on the rise and meters allowing short time frames, parking in East Lansing can be a headache. Those who enforce guidelines are bombarded with concerns and dissent from residents.

BY RYAN KRYSKA RKRYSKA@STATENEWS.COM

Sometimes they go by bike, other times they go by car. They’re a familiar sight to students living and driving around East Lansing, and for those who get ticketed, they’re often a source of frustration.

They are East Lansing’s Parking and Code Enforcement, or PACE, and with many students voicing their opinions on them, we went on a ride-along with PACE officer Paul Weidner to take a look into his daily interactions with the community.

ment in 1972 as a homicide detective after serving in the Vietnam War. After the police department, Weidner worked for an audit company.

“The PACE job came along and I picked this up after retirement,” Weidner said. “I love when students are here, they keep me young. I enjoy being out and about.”

While driving his Harrison Road route, Weidner pointed out that a majority of streets in East Lansing are very narrow.

“When East Lansing was built it was not meant to handle this many people,” Weidner said.

grass, driveways and sidewalks and wrong-way to the curb are common violations as well.

Weidner started the day with a complaint response report for grass and overgrowth of weeds on a sidewalk. The PACE office sent the homeowners a letter and deadline to have the sidewalk cleared.

“If I see something extreme while driving around, then I will stop. I live in East Lansing too, sometimes you forget to mow the lawn ... sometimes you miss a day. So I use discretion.

You hope your team is accepted as a partner with the community since we are all trying to

The two got into their car and Lindsay Johnson, a 23-year-old from Colorado, said, “It felt amazing. We are the luckiest girls.”

“Technically, could I have ticketed them? Yeah.

But my job is not to come out here and be … well it is,” Weidner said before laughing out loud.

At 10:39 a.m., another ticket meter expired. The ticket was written and this time the person did not approach while we were on scene.

“I am old and seasoned enough where that doesn’t bother me,” Weidner said about dealing with angry vehicle owners. “If I get an irate

PACE Officer Paul Weidner of East Lansing writes a ticket for an expired meter on Albert Avenue July 10. If the driver comes out to their car while he is writing the ticket, Weidner said he uses his discretion to decide whether to issue the ticket or issue a warning. PHOTO: CATHERINE FERLAND

A MORNING IN THE LIFE PACE officer and East Lansing resident Paul Weidner headed out for a day of enforcing parking and code ordinances on July 10, the day of his 44th wedding anniversary.

Besides his current job, Weidner has prior ties to the area. His father attended MSU after WWII when the university was known as Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science.

Weidner started at the Lansing Police Depart-

To combat extended parking on the narrow streets, Weidner said PACE officers put chalk lines on tires to keep track of the two-hour time limits. If the chalk hasn’t moved after two hours then the vehicle is ticketed.

“Downtown meters and lots get the most tickets and usually fill up at lunch time,” Weidner said.

“Certain days are busier than others and game days are the busiest. It’s just part of your day, I just write what I see.”

Weidner said parking near fire hydrants, on

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THURSDAY, JULY 1 6 , 2 01 5

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do the same thing — have a nice, clean environment. It makes a difference,” Weidner said.

“Let’s say as I am writing someone a ticket they are coming up to the car, it is my discretion to give them a ticket or a warning.”

At 10:31 a.m., that very scenario happened.

As Weidner was ticketing a car, two women began swiftly walking over and voiced to him that he was ticketing their car.

“How about a warning,” Weidner said back to the women.

individual I try to reason with them. In some situations, I may just give a warning. We have discretion in our job.”

PARKING WOES Political science senior Veronica Stachurski said her frustration with parking in East Lansing is that there aren’t enough spots near popular destinations. “(Parking is) really inconvenient. The spots are not strategically placed. My parents sometimes

Michael Kransz Content editor mkransz@statenews.com @thesnews

TICKETS AND METERS East Lansing parking administrator Caleb Sharrow said parking time limits on meters depend on the area, the needs of the businesses nearby and parking space demand.

To accommodate for those parking to shop and lunch, most meters allow for a maximum of 90 minutes, Sharrow said.

A parking ticket for an expired meter starts at $10 and increases if not paid within 24 hours, according to the City of East Lansing’s website.

Nameet Patel, who graduated in the spring with a degree in economics, said parking in East

NUMBER OF 54B DISTRICT COURT HANDLED PARKING TICKETS

PARKING OPERATING REVENUE 4.0

80,000

70,000

DOLLARS

3.5

60,000

YEAR

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

40,000

2007

3.0

2006

50,000

2005

DOLLARS IN MILLIONS

find it hard to park near where they need to be,” Stachurski said. “PACE is very efficient, overly efficient. It’s a college town so people don’t necessarily know where to go. They are not very gracious on appeals.”

MSU chemical engineering junior Ben Lambert said he once had his car towed for parking in someone’s spot and then got a ticket for it on top of that.

“So basically, PACE is just the worst,” he said. “I think they have hidden cameras that hunt you down and find you.”

Lambert also fought a ticket he received for parking at a friend’s house. Lambert had had back surgery and claimed he needed the spot due to handicap, although he did not have a permit. Lambert went to City Hall and turned in the ticket along with a written explanation.

Within two months, City Hall dismissed the ticket.

Music education senior Jenny Chung said PACE hasn’t been lenient with her when she’s violated parking ordinances.

“The system is unfortunate,” Chung said. “There have been so many times where I’ve come up to my car while they’re writing the ticket and they say it is too late. I don’t know, I just don’t understand why they don’t look around for the person. It is not very judicious and I don’t understand why they are so ruthless.”

YEAR

Source: statistics according to City of East Lansing’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2014.

Lansing is too strict and that being able to park longer would decrease the number of tickets.

The number of parking tickets, though, has been steadily decreasing. The 54B District Court handled 46,694 parking tickets in 2014; 2,730 less than 2013. Over the past decade, the annual number of parking tickets has decreased at an average of 2,345 tickets per year, according to East Lansing’s comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014.

However, the city’s parking revenue has remained consistent over the same decade, according to the report.

East Lansing police Lt. Steve Gonzalez said revenue might have remained steady because of violation fee increases.

The annual financial report states parking revenue generated $3.79 million in 2014. Parking

expenses were $3.47 million in 2014.

Sharrow said excess parking revenue, which was about $320,000 in 2014, goes toward infrastructure improvements and maintenance after the cost of service is covered.

Media and information senior Nick Hess said his parking concern has to do with parking permits. Hess lives in housing owned by Cron Management, LLC and said he is not provided free parking. Hess pays $80 a month for a parking permit, while other Cron Management properties are supplied with parking, he said.

Permits for the seven East Lansing parking garages and lots range in price from $65 per month to $85 per month, according to the City of East Lansing’s website.

Nick Waligora, a hospitality business junior, said his main parking complaint is not receiving any

Officer Paul Weidner of East Lansing became a PACE officer after retiring from his job as a homicide detective on the East Lansing Police Force.

His day-to-day duties include investigating and answering complaints about parking violations and residential cleanliness. On July 10, he writes an Overgrowth Warning on a Michigan Avenue home after a neighbor called to complain about the overgrowth of grass and bushes around the home.

PHOTO: CATHERINE FERLAND T H U RS DAY, J U LY 1 6 , 2 01 5

validation toward parking at his workplace.

If businesses wish to validate their customers and employees parking there’s a program through the city that offers a 40 percent discount off the standard rate, Sharrow said.

On the MSU side, expired meter fees are $15, according to the MSU Police Department’s website.

During the 2014-15 year, the MSU parking office collected $1.6 million in ordinance violation fees, office director Lynnette Forman said. The amount of money yielded from such fees has gone down over each of the past five years, she said.

Money collected from ordinance violation fees pays for campus green-light safety phones, crosswalks, speed bumps, turning traffic circles into four-way stops and any other safety needs, Forman said.

Economics senior XiXi Wu said parking on campus became more convenient when credit card meters were introduced.

The credit card meters were installed in the fall of 2013 and have increased meter usage and decreased the number of issued expire meter tickets, Forman said.

METER FEE RISING Downtown East Lansing’s parking fares increased by five cents July 1. They are now 70 cents per half hour in five attended garages and 75 cents per half hour in the two attended lots.

The five garage locations are Bailey Street, Division Street, Charles Street, Grove Street and The Marriott Hotel. The two lots are on Albert Avenue and Bailey Street.

The increase is due to PACE receiving a reduced allocation of ticket revenue from the city’s general fund and increases in supply, service and maintenance costs, Sharrow said.

The increase will help fund facility maintenance and improvement costs that include the new elevators in the Grove Street and Division Street garages and the completion of the LED lighting projects in the Division Street and Charles Street garages, Sharrow said.

East Lansing parking meters and pay stations will remain at 75 cents per half hour.

On-campus parking fares will not increase.

Farrow said campus meters, including those in garages, will remain $1.80 per hour and parking lots are $0.80 per half hour.

Forman said MSU parking lot fares have not increased since 2002, and meter rates last increased in 2013 from $1.50 to the current $1.80 per hour.

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Crossword

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

Features

Michael Kransz Content editor mkransz@statenews.com @thesnews

Students sound off on summer expenses

BY JORDAN HOLLEY JHOLLEY@STATENEWS.COM

For students living in East Lansing over the summer, a smaller course load means less obligations and less of

a financial burden. With the additional free time and cash, several students said their budgets allow for more spending on fun. Here’s a breakdown of these students’ month-to-month budgets and their thoughts on summertime spending compared to the full semesters.

Philip Rice Music composition graduate student

25% FOOD

50%

25%

RENT

EATING OUT & DRINKS ACROSS

1 Fictional Carpathian Mountains resident 8 Bat wood 11 Embroidered pronoun 14 Protects, in a way 15 “Handcuff Secrets” author 17 “... folks dressed up like __”: “The Christmas Song” 18 Quiet 19 Seedless citrus fruit 21 “Later” 24 Traditional observance 25 Medical tube 26 Gauchos’ weapons 28 “__ so fast!”

31 Baja bear 32 Dish named for its French place of origin 37 Painter Cassatt 38 Entice 39 Recitation from Matthew 45 Comic strip boy with a giant squid pal 46 North __ 47 Work hard 48 Probably will, after “is” 51 Programmer’s glitch, perhaps 54 Car wash option

55 Psychodrama technique ... and a literal hint to what’s hidden in 19-, 32- and 39-Across 59 Whammy 60 Greets rudely 64 Deeply regret 65 “It’s better to be looked over than overlooked” speaker 66 Logical operators 67 Pennant race mo.

68 Storehouse

DOWN

1 Low mark 2 Med. personnel 3 “Egad!”

4 Son of Eve 5 Dr. Richard Kimble pursuer 6 Byzantine emperor after Basil I 7 Accounts receivable, e.g.

8 “Oh, I see” 9 Évian evening 10 Luau entertainment 11 Contingently follow from 12 Tick off 13 Nogales nap 16 Trade-in deduction 20 Fallon followed him

21 Cookout, briefly 22 “__ rang?”

23 Member of college music’s Whiffenpoofs 27 Pinnacle 29 Eyes in verse 30 Drainpipe section 33 Cupid’s counterpart 34 Old instrument played with a plectrum 35 Jurisdictional atmospheric areas 36 Font choice: Abbr.

39 Topple 40 “MASH” nickname 41 Valley 42 Deviate from a course 43 Perón of Argentina 44 Stout in the mystery section 45 Rio Grande city 49 Inform 50 “Wonderfilled” treats 52 Store display suffix 53 First name in wieners 56 Rochester’s bride 57 Ford, but not Lincoln 58 Actor Rob 61 D.C. VIP 62 Dept. of Homeland Security org.

63 After N.Y., team with the most World Series wins

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

2

3

4

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO WEDNESDAY’S PUZZLE

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7/16/15

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THE STATE N E WS

THURSDAY, JULY 1 6 , 2 01 5

“In the summer, I spend more money on fun because I’m going out more and I don’t have to go to class, which means I drink more liquor,” he said, laughing.

Ty Johnson Communication senior

25% RENT

25%

50% FOOD

FUN

“In the fall, there’s a lot of stuff that I have to save my money up for and a lot of stuff going on. Whereas in the summer, there’s not a lot going on. I can spend (money) freely if I need to.”

John France Physiology senior

10% 15%

FUN

FOOD

75% RENT

“When summer comes around I spend a lot more money on fun for sure. Books ... and other expenses like that take up a lot of my money during the school semester ... I don’t save much at all. It all comes and goes.”

Features

Michael Kransz Content editor mkransz@statenews.com @thesnews

HUMANS OF COMMON GROUND “HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE OF COMMON GROUND MUSIC FESTIVAL?”

BY CATHERINE FERLAND

Bre Devlot and Monet Ackley

Quintin Baptiste

Lansing Residents

Lansing Resident

“It’s exotic. It’s upbeat. Thirsty. Creepy. We were up in the crowd earlier and we were pushed in between two guys, one in front of me and one behind her and the two of us were trying to dance. One of them got right up behind her and we decided to leave. But we paid to come and watch it, so we still find it enjoyable.”

He volunteers with Child and Family Charities, a local charity that works to help runaway and troubled youth.

“I’m just chilling out. I can see the whole concert from the hammock. We wanted to come to this particular concert tonight because a lot of youth were going to be out because of Snoop Dogg.”

Tyirell Shaw

Cody Holcomb and Patrick Chaser

Lansing Resident

Lansing Residents

“Amazing. Cloud Nine.

Everything is amazing.”

Holcomb used to volunteer at the festival until he got into a car accident.

Holcomb’s favorite parts of the fan experience include the crowd and the music. Chaser was taking in a different element of the night. “I was more focusing on all of the attractive women,” he said.

T H U RS DAY, J U LY 1 6 , 2 01 5

TH E STATE N E WS

9

Sports

Michael Kransz Content editor mkransz@statenews.com @thesnews

MSU football players continue to dominate award watch lists Following the success of MSU’s football program, players from multiple positions are being named for prestigious awards

BY MATT ARGILLANDER MARGILLANDER@STATENEWS.COM

With success comes recognition and several MSU football players have big expectations in the upcoming season. A majority of the annual college football awards have put out watch lists that feature Spartans.

Senior center Jack Allen has been named to the 2015 watch list for the Rimington Trophy, presented to college football’s most outstanding center every year since 2000. Allen was one of six finalists for the award last season, making him a favorite to take it home this year.

Finalists for the Rimington Trophy will be named on Dec. 7 and the winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The formal presentation of the award will be made on Jan. 16, 2016, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

“Jack has spent the two previous offseasons studying video of NFL centers to help him gain an edge,” offensive line coach Mark Staten said in a statement. “Already a first-

team All-American as a junior, he has the work ethic, passion and patience to become the most outstanding center in college football.”

Allen and junior offensive tackle Jack Conklin have also been named to the 2015 Outland Trophy watch list, presented to college football’s most outstanding interior lineman since 1946.

“Obviously, I’m biased, but I truly believe Jack Allen and Jack Conklin are the best players at their respective positions in college football,” Staten was quoted saying.

Semifinalists for the Outland Trophy will be announced on Nov. 19. Three finalists for the award will be named on Nov. 24, with the winner also being announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.

The formal presentation of the award will be made on Jan. 14, 2016, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Junior tight end Josiah Price has been named to the 2015 watch list for the John Mackey Award, presented to college football’s most outstanding tight end every year since 2000.

“Josiah Price is a very versa-

tile player for our team, and his experience is a big asset,” co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Jim Bollman said in a statement. “Josiah works diligently to be a consistent blocker, both on and off the line of scrimmage as well as in movement situations. He’s an excellent route runner, with fine hands. Josiah has been an exceptional receiver for us, especially in the red zone.”

Semifinalists for the Mackey Award will be announced on Nov. 16. Finalists for the award will be identified on Nov. 24, with the winner being announced on Dec. 9.

The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.

A f te r b e i ng n a me d to the 2015 Bednarik Award Watch L ist senior defensive end Shilique Calhoun has also been named to the 2015 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list by the Football Writers Association of America. The FWAA has presented a National Defensive Player of the Year Award since 1993 and in the name of

Then-junior center Jack Allen prepares a snap during practice drills Aug. 2, 2014, at the practice field outside Duffy Daugherty Football Building. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTOS

Then-junior defensive end Shilique Calhoun celebrates a tackle during the game against Wyoming on Sept. 27, 2014, at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Cowboys, 56-14.

10

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THURSDAY, JULY 1 6 , 2 01 5

Bronko Nagurski since 1995, according to a press release announcing the list.

“There’s no question that Shilique Calhoun would have been a high pick if he had elected to enter this year’s NFL Draft, but with another season under his belt, he can further enhance his status as a first-round selection and firmly establish himself as a Top 20 draft choice,” head coach Mark Dantonio was quoted saying in an msuspartans.com article. “Not only is Shilique an outstanding player, but he’s a tremendous team leader.

He’s become invaluable in his capacity as a captain.”

Speaking of Dantonio, the head coach wasn’t left out of all of the award watch list fun — Dantonio was named to the 2015 Dodd Trophy Watch List.

The award honors the coach of a team who enjoys a successful football season, while also stressing the importance of academic excellence and character, as did Coach Dodd’s teams during his 22 years as head football coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, according to a release announcing the list.

Quick Reads

New candy store and ice cream parlor will open with limited offerings on Saturday ed a year-round market where we could raise a family as well as have a store that could service our customers 12 months a year,” said Erik Berakovich.

The co-owners believe they found the perfect location at 507 E. Grand River Ave. with its two entrances, one on Grand River Avenue, and one behind the store in the alley with parking availability. Erik Berakovich said he likes the visibility the store will have as well as the size, which allows room for the ice cream machine, bakery, candy kitchen and customer seating. Erik Berakovich also believes the store could serve as a place of learning for students.

“For any students in the HR program, looking to get into the food industry or the retail, small business industry we will be a spot where students can work and learn the entrepreneur skills of being self-employed,” said Erik Berakovich. “Students will also be able to learn how to launch a business and how to service families and students from working here.”

In addition to opportunities offered for student learning, the co-owners plan on having the store open late on weekends and drawing customers in by offering a weekly

BY JAKE ALLEN JALLEN@STATENEWS.COM

The counter where the cupcakes and other sugary treats will be in Velvet ~ A Candy Store on July 15. Velvet is located at 507 E. Grand River Ave. next to Bruegger’s Bagels. PHOTO: JOSHUA ABRAHAM

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Employment INSTRUCTORS NEEDED. Olivet College (30 miles south of MSU campus) is seeking Adjunct Instructors of Writing and Composition.

Required: Master’s degree, experience teaching, writing and ability to teach during the daytime. Send resume and letter of interest to the writing program director at: kchaney@olivetcollege.edu. Founded in 1844, Olivet College was the first college by charter in Michigan to admit women and people of color.

As part of its commitment to a values-based mission of Education for Individual and Social Responsibility, the College actively seeks diversity in its student, faculty and staff. Women and members of historically underrepresented groups.

Velvet ~ A Candy Store, a sweets shop and ice cream parlor, is set to open July 18 on 507 E. Grand River Ave., next to Bruegger’s Bagels.

Co-owner and MSU alumnus Erik Berakovich said the goal is to have a “soft opening” — meaning they will have limited offerings — on Saturday. They will hold their grand opening Sept. 12, the same day as MSU football’s home opener against Oregon.

Berakovich said the store will open without being fully staffed or stocked during the Saturday opening, but will remain open and operational afterward as they prepare for the larger Sept. 12 opening.

Velvet is a family-owned and operated company serving ice cream made in store daily, Mackinac Island fudge, coffee, cupcakes, brownies, cookies and candy.

Co-owners and spouses Erik Berakovich and Trisha Berakovich previously owned Velvet stores on Mackinac Island and in Harbor Springs, but were forced to close shop due to the seasonality of both locations.

“The problem was the season was so short up there, so we want-

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Apts. For Rent

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Houses/Rent

MANDARIN CHINESE Translator wanted. We are looking for someone fluent in both Mandarin and English to act as a translator, along with other responsibilities. Work is P/T, but with lots of avail in August and September.

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1 BDRM, 1 bath, affordable luxury, downtown EL. Whirlpool, marble and granite. 517-204-7488

1507/1509 ANN 3 bed each, 1 bath. $1200/mon.

W/d + dish. Lic 3 each. www.rentmc.com or call 517-655-5941 for more info.

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DUPLEX FOR rent. Two bdrm one bath, w/d. a/c. Close to campus. lic. for 3. $450/ person. ful bsmnt. Call 517323-7827

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MARKETING REPS needed in East Lansing. Full/part time avail. Salary plus commission. Call for immediate interview. Looking for outgoing personality. Great summer job. Call now 1-800589-8507 ext 3.

REPAIR/CLEANING & maintenance work for house/ apt. Aug 1-3. Flex hrs. $8/ hr. 517-294-8474. mclane@

GREAT 1 & 2 occupant apt.

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ROOMMATE NEEDED 2/1 apt. Berrytree off Hagadorn and Mt. Hope. Unfurnished room w/ large walk-in closet.

Must be OK with cat. Lease can start now $574/month 248-504-8841

Houses/Rent 1 bedroom apt. and 2,3, OR 4 bedroom house for rent.

Orchard St. just off of Grand River. Call 517-290-7400 for more details.

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deal where customers can enter a drawing to suggest a new ice cream flavor. The customer whose flavor is chosen in the drawing will win free ice cream for the following week.

Trisha Berakovich said the store will produce everything from scratch, meaning if cheesecake ice cream is being served it will be made with real cheesecake made in-store. The co-owners said they both agree the combination of a fancy look with reasonable prices will set the store apart.

“We are family owned. We are not a corporate operation ... we are basically a mom-and-pop operation with more of an upscale corporate look,” said Erik Berakovich. “We take great pride in helping all of our customers and love seeing them come in time and time again.”

Trisha Berakovich agreed and said she is excited to launch the business at its new location. In a nod to their Mackinac Island roots, the grand opening Sept.12, will host a drawing with the grand prize of a weekend getaway trip to Mackinac Island for one lucky customer.

“We are excited for a new adventure and ready to have a year-round store,” Trisha Berakovich said. “We love the community and we are excited to see how we do.”

AUG ‘15. 4 bd house, $480 per month. 627 Evergreen E.L. 734-717-8513. August to August lease.

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TH E STATE N E WS

11

Sports

Michael Kransz Content editor mkransz@statenews.com @thesnews_sports

Denzel Valentine makes U.S. Pan Am men’s team

BY MATTHEW ARGILLANDER MARGILLANDER@STATENEWS.COM

After accepting an invitation to the 2015 U.S. Pan American Men’s Basketball Team training camp, senior guard Denzel

Valentine is one of 12 players who made the team, according to a news release by Spartan Athletics.

“I am greatly honored to make the U.S. Pan American Games Team,” Valentine said

presents

Senior guard Denzel Valentine practices at training camp for the U.S. Pan American Games men’s basketball team in Colorado Springs, Colo. PHOTO COURTESY OF USA BASKETBALL

Free Dessert!

(Cookie, Brownie, or Rice Crispy Bars)

with the purchase of any Salad, Sandwich or Mac n’ Cheez 547 E Grand River Ave | 517-325-0850

in the release. “First, thanks to my family, teammates, coaches and close friends for the motivation and support.

I couldn’t have done it without them.

Second, thanks to the coaching staff and USA Basketball committee for selecting me and giving me an opportunity to represent the country in a positive way. I am going to work my hardest and take full advantage of the opportunity ahead and try to win a gold medal for our country.”

Gonzaga’s Mark Few will serve as head coach of the

team while Colorado’s Tad Boyle and former NBA coach Mike Brown will assist Few. The team will represent the United States at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, on July 21-25. Tryouts opened July 7 with 21 hopefuls. The first cuts were made July 9, and the roster was trimmed to 16 finalists.

“I don’t think I’ve ever in my whole life been put in a situation where you’re choosing between 16 great guys,” Few said in a press release announcing the final roster.

“You could have made a call

for any one of the guys on the list and it would have made perfect sense. We labored and labored and labored over it for what we think we might need. That’s how we got down to these 12.”

The final cuts were made July 12, and now that the roster is finalized, the team will train July 13-16 at the Chicago Bulls practice facility.

“It’s a group of hard-working guys who have done a great job in camp of really playing together and being unselfish,” Few said. “They came into camp with a great atti-

tude and mindset to really work, and now we’ve got to start formulating and playing to our strengths. This is a group that’s got some versatility, and I think we should be able to play a couple different ways.”

The U.S. men have been placed into Group A and will play all three of its preliminary round games at 9 p.m.

EDT, including Venezuela on July 21, Puerto Rico on July 22 and Brazil on July 23. Competing in Group B will be Argent ina, Canada, Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Details of Eron Harris OWI revealed in report

BY MATTHEW ARGILLANDER MARGILLANDER@STATENEWS.COM

Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45), guard Eron Harris (14), forward Marvin Clark Jr. (0) and forward Matt Costello (10) celebrate Costello’s basket on Mar. 4, 2015, during the Michigan State basketball game against Purdue at Breslin Center, 534 Birch road. The Spartans defeated the Boilermakers, 72-66. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO 12

THE STATE N EWS

THURSDAY, JULY 1 6 , 2 01 5

At 1:55 a.m. on July 1, MSU basketball player and junior guard Eron Harris was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, according to the police report obtained by The State News.

In the report, officers stated they could smell alcohol coming from the suspect’s breath.

Harris was given two citations — one for the OWI and another for refusing a preliminary breathalyzer test. Harris was initially pulled over for improper lane usage.

“At the intersection of Abbott and Grand River the suspect was turning left onto Abbot and went through the red light.

He then got in the lane to go straight on Abbott and then switched lanes to the righthand turn lane to turn right

on Albert and then got back over onto Abbott,” the police report read.

Harris eventually accepted a breathalyzer test and blew a 0.12 BAC. He informed the officers he had a couple of shots before he left home to pick up a friend from Rick’s American Cafe.

Harris was coherent as he passed a few phases of the field sobriety test, but he could not complete the walk-and-turn or one-leg stand, as he was unable to keep his balance.

Harris participated in the Moneyball Pro-Am Summer Basketball League just hours before the incident. He played in the last game of the night which would have ended between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.

T he ju n ior g ua r d w a s charged $200 for bond and $145 for 145 minutes of police labor costs.