Wednesday 8/28/13

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Drawing A Crowd

Khoa Nguyen/ The State News

Washington, D.C. Resident, Ashley Crandall, comforts her dog, Jasmine. during a break Tuesday.

statenews.com | 8/28/13 | @thesnews

Biking for a cause

School spirit in full swing during Sparticipation with variety of events

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Welcome back Spartans!

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Michigan State University’s independent voice

Swirl of questions surround shared Spartan QB position By Stephen Brooks sbrooks@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

The biggest mystery surrounding MSU football the past eight months has been rooted in one question: Who is going to start at quarterback in 2013? Spring practice couldn’t settle it. Fall camp couldn’t settle it.

Head coach Mark Dantonio f inally ended the speculation Tuesday at his weekly press conference. Maxwell Sort of. Senior Andrew Maxwell, who started all 13 games last season, will

start under center in Friday’s season-opener against Western Michigan. However, MSU’s week one depth chart, released minutes before Dantonio took the podium, lists Maxwell, sophomore Connor Cook, redshirt freshman Tyler O’Connor and freshman Damion Terry as co-starters with “or” next to their name on the starting line.

“I’m comfortable we have a No. 1 quarterback,” Dantonio said. “(Maxwell’s) got great

Go to page 9 for analysis of Coach Dantonio’s decison knowledge of our system. I think he’s competitive. Got great leadership skills.

“Like I told him today, ‘Here are the keys, bring it back full.’ I think he’ll do that.” Cook also will get his share of action under the lights against the Broncos, Dantonio said, while the two younger passers remain in the mix. The decision to give Maxwell the first shot at keeping his job ends months of speculation that he was the front-

Back in Town: A State News series on the start of the fall semester on and off-campus. Part 1: Academics

Rolling back to the Red Cedar Students, professors get back in the swing of school with start of fall

runner throughout the off-season. The move was a collaborative decision from the coaching staff as the senior started to separate himself from his peers during the last week of camp, Dantonio said. Dantonio’s announcement temporarily suspends a quarterback competition dating See FOOTBALL on page 2 u

crime

Police still examining E.L. sexual assault case By Katie Abdilla kabdilla@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

By Celeste Bott cbott@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

The fall semester is underway, and with the start of a new semester comes a host of challenges for students and professors with new class schedules and a packed campus. It's a new school year. Preparing for the fall can be stressful for many in the MSU community as thousands of students return to campus amid changes to university tuition and uncertainty about federal student loan rates. Even with changes to tuition and a packed campus, university officials are working to make the transition as smooth as possible for both new and returning students. Getting to know fellow Spartans Political theory and constitutional democracy senior Adam Ilenich, who works as a resident assistant isn’t shy to admit he’s the oldest guy in the room at craft night — one of the many activities hosted by the University Activities Board. “When I lived on campus, I didn’t appreciate it,” Ilenich said. “The free bowling at the Union, for example, it's a chance to meet people you’d probably never meet otherwise. I used to assume it was lame.” It's Ilenich’s job to welcome on-campus residents in the West Circle Neighborhood, many of whom are new to the university. “We’re building a community,” he said. “That involves everything from taking students to Sparticipation (to) explaining the policies that keep them safe.” Arts and crafts might not be for everybody, but Ilenich said being open to meeting fellow Spartans is the best way to prepare for a new year. “You really can walk up to someone in your building or in class and just introduce yourself,” Ilenich said. “It doesn’t have to be weird or uncomfort-

photos by K atie Stiefel/The State News

Pre-med sophomore Hunter Hill helps move her roommate’s belongings on Monday in front of East Shaw Hall. First-year students moved into the residence halls on Sunday, while returning students moved in the next day.

able. You’re expected to do that here." The international perspective Getting ready for classes can be particularly challenging for students attending school outside of their native country, such as Jina Lee, a South Korean criminal justice graduate student. “When you’re an international student, preparing for the school year means effective time management,” Lee said. “It takes you longer to get things done if English isn't your first language.” Domestic students should be aware of the challenges international students face, Lee said, but international students shouldn't be afraid to ask for help. “When I first came here, I didn’t understand what a Social Security number was,” she said. “I needed groceries but couldn’t figure out how to get to Meijer.” On top of her classes and her

research position, MSU’s Criminal Justice Department is requiring Lee to pass additional English speaking and writing exams. “Be kind to international students,” Lee said. “Look at me. The semester has barely started and I already have to study for a test.” Prepping the university Students might be unaware of the behind-the-scenes effort it takes to make the university run efficiently. Doug Estry, associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies, helped prepare students by overseeing the Academic Orientation Programs. "Orientation introduces students to university life," Estry said. "And we organize a later session for out-of-state students who may not have been able to make it over the summer." Estry's office also is getting ready for the new year by devel-

Economics junior Kenny Welsh, left, and his father Bill Welsh carry a futon on Monday in front of East Shaw Hall. This is Welsh’s first year living in Shaw Hall.

oping undergraduate research programs and updating websites. Student move-in was a job for Residence Education and Housing Services or REHS, responsible for ensuring thousands of students are able to settle on campus.

“This year, we wanted movein to be an experience, not just a process,” Chaney said. “There’s just so many people, and it’s easy to get lost in the stress of that. Everyone's experience is differSee SCHOOL on page 2 u

To see MSU students discuss getting back to the academic year, visit statenews.com/multimedia.

Police continue to investigate charges on 26-yearold Oswald Scott Wilder, who wa s arrested in relation to a string of sexual assaults in East Lansi ng ea rly this Wilder summer. The Vernon, Mich. resident faces seven charges, including one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. Police believe he is responsible for three sexual assaults that took place throughout April and May, with all the incidents occurring near campus. East Lansing police Capt. Jeff Murphy, who declined to comment on any specific evidence against Wilder, said ELPD still has loose ends to tie before Wilder can be put on trial. “We’re not seeing many of the 'hows' that led us to him,” Murphy said. “But he is in custody and charged, and that’s the most important thing.” Wilder was arrested Friday and charged Saturday. He is being held in the Ingham County Jail without bond. Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said he was not aware of any scheduled pretrial conference for Wilder. Once Wilder was identified as a suspect, Murphy said police took action and promptly made an arrest. “We wanted to do it as quickly as possible for fear that the longer he has, the more chances there would be that he’d do it again,” he said. The first incident occurred around midnight April 20 on Coolidge Road, with the See CRIME on page 2 u

CHANDLER CROSSINGs NOT SO WELCOME FIRST WEEK By Michael Gerstein mgerstein@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

The main office of The Village at Chandler Crossings is spotless. Polished hardwood floors reflect the summer sunlight flooding in from the large windows that line the walls, and light bounces up towards its high triangular ceilings.

But looking a little closer, dust and dead gnats cover the window seals. There's no soap in the bathroom. The vending machine only accepts coins — don't try using dollar bills. Enter the rooms on move-in day, and complaints about more serious matters begin bubbling to the surface. “Our room was disgusting,” said Lansing Community Col-

“Our room was disgusting … There was dirt on the floor … I had a mattress that was peestained. Our toilet leaks.” Kaleen Tithof, Lansing Community College freshman

lege freshman Kaleen Tithof, who moved into her new apartment with her friend Hunter Cole last Sunday. “There was dirt on the floor... I had a mattress that was

pee-stained. Our toilet leaks.” Located north of campus, the Chandler Crossings complex often caters their apartments to MSU and Lansing-area students, fea-

turing a variety of amenities to encourage more lease signings. But when some new residents of The Village of Chandler Crossings attempted to move in during the past few weeks, they unlocked their doors to find dirty rooms, leftover items and unfinished renovations. Tithof said there were cigarette burns on her furniture, which also was speckled with

paint from a recent renovation. She said there were even sex toys in the bathtub, which reportedly were filled with an unknown brown liquid. Tithof said it was four hours before the dirt and the dirty toys were cleaned up. On Saturday, her air conditioning still wasn't functioning, and her toilet leaked See APARTMENTS on page 2 u


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