Thursday 09/19/19

Michigan State’s Independent Voice

#FixTheFlatRate “It seems like the university is trying to race people to graduate in four years when it shouldn’t be a race” Students push for changes to MSU’s new flat rate tuition model PAGES 4-5

E D ITO R I A L

Flat rate tuition hurts students Policies made for students should benefit all students, The State News Editorial Board writes PAGE 2

SPORTS

Soccer midfielder takes on new role Alex Shterenberg seizes opportunity for an injuryplagued men’s team PAGE 6

ONLINE

Video: Professor reads his ratings Professor Karl Gude reads anonymous reviews from Rate My Professors Theatre junior Jay Gooden stands for a portrait on Aug. 28 at The Rock on Farm Lane. PHOTO BY SYLVIA JARRUS

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OPINION

EDITORIAL: Flat rate tuition hurts students

BY THE STATE NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD FEEDBACK@STATENEWS.COM

Students already dedicate most of their time — and money — to school.

Having said this, we should be able to make college work for us. All of us.

The newly-implemented flat rate tuition model is a good policy for the narrowly-defined, generic, middle-class college student. But for those of us who don’t fit into that box, flat rate tuition makes college life more difficult.

Under this model, students taking 12 to 18 credits end up paying for 15.

Twelve is the amount of credits a student needs to be full-time.

So if a student chooses to take 12, 13 or 14 credits — whether the reason is financial, academic or personal — they are paying significantly more.

Michigan State’s intention is to encourage students to take more credits to graduate on time. After all, we are the second-to-last in the Big Ten to adopt this model. But this 2018 decision was made without student input.

The opportunity to determine how the model would be implemented came in the form of advisory committees, and only after the process began.

Though the lack of transparency isn’t surprising, there’s still time to modify the new tuition model. Some student groups are already pushing for change.

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THE STATE N EWS

The Black Student Alliance of MSU is speaking out about flat rate tuition, and they represent seven percent of the student population. They propose to decrease the rate from that of 15 credits to 12 credits. And we agree that students shouldn’t be paying for more classes than they’re taking.

There are some students who take 12 credits to balance school and work.

Others take 12 credits because that’s all they can afford. Some take 12 credits because of mental or physical illnesses. And there are students who take 12 credits because that’s simply what works best for them. They shouldn’t be punished for making that choice.

Yes, flat rate tuition benefits students who take more than 15 credits.

Yes, they’re paying less. But this model doesn’t benefit all students. It’s negatively impacting many. We are a diverse student body coming from many different backgrounds with many different needs. When policies are put into place behind our backs, they should at least be ones that help all of us — all of us as a whole.

The State News Editorial Board is composed of our editors and staff representatives. Diversity and inclusion representative Edwin Jaramillo and Managing Editor Mila Murray abstained from voting on the editorial.

THURSDAY, SEPTE MB E R 1 9, 2 01 9

COLUMN

New downtown Target converts non-believer

BY CHASE MICHAELSON CMICHAELSON@STATENEWS.COM

I’ve always hated Target.

I think the main reason is that going to the Target nearest to my house growing up meant taking a freeway to an exit by a mall — ­­ but it was outside the mall — so I rarely, if ever, went.

It seemed like a place that was always overcrowded, the clothes didn’t live up to my ridiculous standards (they didn’t have a Hollister logo, because God forbid I choose my own fashion instead of letting the ads choose my wardrobe for me) and had pretty average pizza in the food court.

So, when everybody was freaking out last year about a Target coming to Grand River Avenue, I was unenthused. I figured, hey, it’s another place to shop, but I’ll still drive to

Meijer for groceries and get clothes on Amazon.

Plus, I grew up as a big drug store aficionado so I thought CVS would still be my place for convenience.

There’s a chain in the Pacific Northwest called Bartell Drugs, or “Bartell’s” as it is known colloquially, and I accompanied my father to it when I was little every time he went to pick up prescriptions. If I was good, maybe he’d buy me a sports magazine from the newsstand near the photo development center.

The Walgreens near my high school was a frequent hangout spot, mostly because for the first two years nobody had cars, but we certainly weren’t going to go home and be responsible. So we’d walk around, look at the beer we weren’t allowed to buy, and sure enough, someone would end up stealing a Kit Kat or something.

But I have to admit I’ve been cheating on CVS — and all drug stores — since Target opened.

I lived on Ann Street over the summer while I interned right across the street as they slowly unveiled the Target, and let me tell you, the first time I walked in, I was amazed. It

is so organized. Truly an OCD kid’s dream.

I honestly couldn’t believe it. It’s a much smaller space than your average Target, owing to its downtown location, but it seems to have just about everything you would expect.

The grocery section is sizeable enough that you can actually get a good selection, there’s lots of stuff for moving into dorms, houses or apartments and it’s a good place to get, say, a TV. The Target is immaculate. Everything is lined up perfectly, it hasn’t been wasted away by generations of students dropping things in it, or coming in drunk, or whatever else plagues any store in a college town.

It may not last forever, but for right now, there can be no doubt that Target feels clean.

It also validates parking, which is nice because very few places in that part of East Lansing do. Usually you’re screwed parking just about anywhere, and when you’re on a college budget, saving the 75 cents to $1.50 per trip to the store adds up.

I never thought I’d want the Target in downtown. But I was wrong.

They hit the mark.

Vol. 110 | No. 5

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 ASK US QUESTIONS What questions do you have about your community? What do you want to know about MSU and the city of East Lansing? Submit what you’re curious about — we want to find answers for you. Submit your questions at editorinchief@statenews.com

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SPOTLIGHT

“I’m actually here for two other people that were not fortunate enough to join me because the flat rate tuition messed up their financial aid. I have to support for them.”

Tyrese Warren Civil engineering sophomore

BLACK STUD FOR ACCESS PORTRAITS BY SYLVIA JARRUS SJARRUS@STATENEWS.COM

BY EDWIN JARAMILLO EJARAMILLO@STATENEWS.COM

F

Mathematics senior Miracle Chatman stands for a portrait on Sept. 12, 2019 outside of the Student Services building.

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THE STATE NEWS

or physics junior Ishmael Fasina, Michigan State’s newlyimplemented tuition structure feels like added pressure.

“I feel like I have to take more credits in order to save money,” Fasina said.

“That’s kind of a difficult choice for us to make. We have to exchange sacrificing our grades to save money.”

On June 22, 2018, the MSU Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve the shift to flat rate tuition and in that process, froze tuition rates for the upcoming academic year.

MSU is the second-to-last school in the Big Ten to adopt this tuition model.

“We knew that the shift would be painful in some cases for students, because not all students are logistically in a position to be able to take advantage of the 15 or more credits,” said Mark Largent, interim associate provost for undergraduate education and interim dean of undergraduate studies.

This semester is one of Fasina’s busiest and the most challenging semester he’s ever had.

“I am taking three four-credit classes and one three-credit class, and I just put the extra two credits because I wanted to use the flat rate tuition to my advantage,” he said. “I usually don’t take anything more than 12 or 13.”

The Black Student Alliance of MSU — an organization formed to be a central advocacy group for African American students — convened at The Rock on

THURSDAY, SEPT E MB E R 1 9, 2 01 9

Farm Lane Tuesday, Aug. 28 to bring awareness to the implementation of MSU’s “flat rate tuition” model and how it is negatively affecting the undergraduate student body.

Under the block tuition model, which was put into effect this fall, MSU undergraduate students taking 12 to 18 credits will be charged a flat rate for tuition. This means students taking between 12 to 18 credits are charged the same rate — the rate of 15 credits.

On the first day of classes, the Black Student Alliance and allies wore the color black to “stand in solidarity with those impacted by Block Tuition.”

“The way that they advertised it was that 12 to 18 credits were the same price, but what they did not advertise was that it was going to be charged at a rate of 15 credits,” said Jay Gooden, the Council of Racial and Ethnic Students and Council of Progressive Students liaison for the Black Student Alliance.

Though the new model financially benefits those taking 15 to 18 credits, students taking 12 to 14 credits saw larger tuition bills than usual.

“A lot of students — especially black students — take 12 credits because that’s what they can afford or that’s just the rate they can go at, and it seems like the university is trying to race people to graduate in four years when it shouldn’t be a race,” Gooden said. “You should be able to take your time with your education.”

On June 22, 2017, the university announced its “Go Green, Go 15” campaign, which urged student to take an average of 15 credits per semester.

“I feel like I have to take more credits in order to save money. That’s kind of a difficult choice for us to make.”

Ishmael Fasina Physics junior The campaign was aimed at increasing the university’s graduation rate.

“When we launched that movement, former President (Lou Anna K.) Simon was in office, and she had no interest in flat rate tuition — the board had already approved it several years earlier, but it wasn’t interesting to her,” Largent said. “We decided that we would start advising students to take a larger number of credits, and they did.”

Largent also said in 2016, only 28% of the freshman student body was taking 15 or more credits. In 2017, it was 42%. In 2018, it was 50%, and 60% of this year’s freshmen are taking 15 or more credits.

“When (former) Gov. (John) Engler was the acting president, he decided that he liked the idea of flat rate tuition,” Largent said. “He informed us that we were going to flat rate tuition. ... A year ago, we convened three different committees, and those committees spent much of fall semester focused really intently on how we would implement flat rate tuition.”

The graduation rate of students who

SPOTLIGHT

“I always wanted to go to college, I know I’m going to get my master’s and I’m really thinking about my doctorate so I know if I didn’t have the chance to come back to finish I would be really hurt.”

Demetria Bias Journalism sophomore

“It’s kind of surprising to me because I thought they would be protecting those students but apparently not.

Keilyn Broussard Neuroscience senior and vice president of BSA

“(I saw pushback from) minority and marginalized students on campus, as well as STEM students and the whole student government was behind us, so enough is enough.”

Sharron Reed-Davis Black Student Alliance president

DENT ALLIANCE CALLS SIBLE TUITION MODEL Black Student Alliance MSU President Sharron Reed-Davis and others pose following her speech protesting the newly implemented block tuition at MSU during Spartan Remix behind Wells Hall on Sept. 5. PHOTO BY CONNOR DESILETS

“We’re not saying get rid of it, but make it at a rate of 12 credits so that way we can afford to do it.”

Jay Gooden Black Student Alliance representative

identify as African American was at 59% within the 2016 cohort and has seen a 6% increase to 65% for the 2017 cohort. However, that still falls behind by 14% for all students in terms of graduation rates, according to a report released at the end of last semester.

“Historically, the black retention rates have been one of the lowest of any demographic, and one of the top reasons it’s so low is because of financial and academic reasons,”

mathematics senior Miracle Chatman said.

“This policy is going to further hurt and widen the gap between those black students.”

On Sept. 5, MSU’s Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative announced it would offer tuition clinics. At these clinics, academic and financial aid staff are available to support students with questions or concerns related to the flat rate tuition model.

“If we want students to be more successful

as students and to be able to afford college more readily, they have got to get in and see those advisers and we are pushing them to do that,” Largent said.

“They need to make it a priority that black students graduate and succeed. Of course they’re not going to flaunt those retention rates because that’s going to show them in a negative light, but at least acknowledge those retention rates. Most people on this

campus don’t know that black students used to graduate at a 58% rate.”

MSU will continue to implement the flat rate tuition model for future semesters.

The Black Student Alliance is currently taking and showcasing submissions on how MSU’s flat rate tuition has affected students, and the group said they plan on continuing this.

“I am frankly very happy to see it,” Largent said. “I am extraordinarily happy that these students are showing a personal interest in something as critically important as the tuition structure of the university ... and making public the impact of the decisions that are made at the highest level on them as individuals.”

Students protesting flat rate tuition do not want to revert back to the previous model, but to modify it.

“We’re just asking for the administration to hear us out and hear our voice (calling) to fix the flat rate,” Gooden said. “We’re not saying get rid of it, but make it at a rate of 12 credits so that way we can afford to do it. That way, it’s an easier pace for students.”

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SPORTS

RELIGIOUS DIRECTORY Stay up to date at: www.statenews.com/religious

All Saints Episcopal Church 800 Abbot Rd. (517) 351-7160 Sun. Worship: 8am, 10am, & 5pm Sunday School: 10am www.allsaints-el.org

Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St. (517) 332-1916 Services: Friday night 6pm, dinner @ 7, September–April www.msuhillel.org

Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Road East Lansing (517) 337-9703 Sunday worship: 10:00am Sunday Bible study: 8:45am Thursday Bible study: 2:00pm www.ascensioneastlansing.org

The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd. (517) 351-4309 Friday Services: 12:15-12:45pm & 1:45-2:15pm For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/

Crossway Multinational Church 4828 Hagadorn Rd. (Across from Fee Hall) (517) 917-0498 Sun: 10:00am crosswaymchurch.org Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. (Meet @ University Christian Church) (517) 898-3600 Sun: 8:45am Worship, 10am Bible Class Wed: 1pm, Small group bible study www.greaterlansing coc.org

Martin Luther Chapel Lutheran Student Center 444 Abbot Rd. (517) 332-0778 Sun: 10:30am & 7pm Wed: 7pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) www.martinluther chapel.org The People’s Church Multi-denominational 200 W Grand River Ave. (517)332-6074 Sun. Service: 10:30am with free lunch for students following worship ThePeoplesChurch.com Riverview Church- MSU Venue MSU Union Ballroom, 2nd Floor 49 Abbot Rd. (517) 694-3400 Sun. Worship: 11:30am-ish www.rivchurch.com

Religious Organizations:

St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C Ave. (517) 337-9778 Sun: 8am, 10am, Noon, 5pm, 7pm M,W,F: 12:15pm T & Th: 9:15pm www.stjohnmsu.org University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd (517) 332-5193 Sun. Bible Study: 10am Sun. Worship: 11:15am www.universitychristianwired.com University United Methodist Church 1120 S. Harrison Rd (517) 351-7030 Main Service: Sun: 11am in the Sanctuary Additional Services: NEW contemporary service Sundays at 9am with band titled ‘REACH’ TGiT (Thank God its Thursday): Thur: 8pm in the Chapel of Apostles universitychurchhome.org office@eluumc.org WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbot Rd. (517) 580-3744 Sat: 6:30pm msu.edu/~welsluth

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Redshirt sophomore takes on new role

Midfielder Alex Shterenberg seizes opportunity and fills large role for an injury-plagued Michigan State men’s soccer team

BY DEVIN ANDERSON-TORREZ DANDERSONTORREZ@STATENEWS.COM

M

issing two captains, leaders both on and off the field, Michigan State men’s soccer had holes to fill as they started their season.

With an already young core, it was a toss up as to who would take the helm next to third captain and senior midfielder Michael Pimlott as their two Hermann Trophy watch list players recovered from injury. Emerging from the roster came a redshirt sophomore, eager for his chance to help the team, Alex Shterenberg.

In the past Shterenberg himself was plagued by injury.

After redshirting his freshman season, Shterenberg saw only 28 minutes in his first year of gameplay.

This year has been different.

Finally getting his chance to make an impact on the field, Shterenberg has taken his shot and run with it. Literally.

Through the first five regular season games, he has played 417 minutes, which is nearly 15 times the amount he played before this season.

Head Coach Damon Rensing is glad to see what Shterenberg has been able to accomplish this year, already stepping up in big ways.

“Alex has stepped up in two categories. He has helped us at left back and has been a good player that way,” Rensing said.

“He has also been a good communicator and emotional leader on the field, too. He’s put everything into it and I’ve been really pleased with how he’s played.”

Through the first three games, including their exhibitions, the Spartans were scoreless. It would be Shterenberg who would finally put the green and white on the board with a penalty kick against Florida Gulf Coast University on Sept. 2. Although he was without a goal in his career at Michigan State, Shterenberg felt like he was the guy who could step up in that crucial moment.

“We spend weeks, days prepping for games like this, moments like this, so we know who the guys are that step up and who are most confident,” Shterenberg said in his postgame interview, after forcing a tie against FGCU. “And I think the team agrees we have a couple guys that are confident stepping up in these big moments, so in that moment I was one of them. I was happy to take it. I’m confident when I take those moments.

I was glad to see it go in the back of the net, get a first goal of the season in. ” Not only has Shterenberg 6

Redshirt sophomore midfielder Alex Shterenberg dribbles the ball past a Washington defender in a Sept. 6 loss at DeMartin Stadium. PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

been a leader with his play, but he has also been a crucial piece for communication. He has become a huge voice for this team that puts an emphasis on leadership.

“Leadership is something we stress a lot, both on and off the field. I think leadership is something that makes a team great and takes a team to the next level, ” Shterenberg said.

“We have a good group of leaders on this team. I like to think I’m one of them. I like to help the team as much as I can, whether it’s screaming at the guys on the field to work harder, play better. We hold a high standard here, so (I’m) just making sure everyone is playing the best they can, to the best of their level and making sure everyone is having fun at the same time.”

Every time Shterenberg takes the field, he tries to raise the level of play for this Spartan team, and with that comes a lot of emotions. Shterenberg says he doesn’t notice how much emotion he plays with during the games and it is just a piece of his game. But the intensity, he says, comes from the passion he has for soccer.

“I do play with a lot of emotion, a lot of people tell me. I don’t notice it personally on the field, but it’s the way I play the game,” Shterenberg said.

"Everyone has a different style of play. Everyone brings different things to the field and that’s the way I play. I’m really into it. I’m always tuned in. I’m very passionate about this game; I’m very passionate about this team, so I think that’s what people see out on

T H E STAT E NE WS

the field while I’m there. As much energy as I can bring, that’s what I try to do. So I think that’s where the emotion comes from."

Seizing the opportunity is something that Rensing has seen Shterenberg do this season and gives him a lot of credit for the work he has put in to get into this position to help the team.

“He’s been with our program for two years and really hasn’t seen a ton of minutes, whether it’s been injury or just players ahead of him,” Rensing said.

“He’s waited his time and waited for his opportunity and now he is taking advantage of it. … I’m very happy with what he’s brought to the table.”

Shterenberg’s role is one he has waited and worked a long time to fill. He was given an opportunity and now plans to help the team take control of the moments they get this season.

“I’m always working. Always gotta fight and work to get to where you want to be and when the chance comes, it comes, and you’ve gotta be able to step up in the big moments and take those moments,” Shterenberg said.

“That’s all I try to do when I come on the field. Take advantage of the moment I’m given and help the team as much as I can.”

Shterenberg will continue to be a key player, as this Michigan State team (0-3-2) tries to get back on the right foot and repeat last year’s success, beginning with a home matchup against Western Michigan on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.

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CITY

From Michigan to DC: Flavored vape ban affects nation

BY WELLS FOSTER WFOSTER@STATENEWS.COM

The flavored vape ban went nationwide after the Trump administration announced a halt on the production of non-tobacco flavors on Sept. 11.

“The Trump Administration is making it clear that we intend to clear the market of flavored e-cigarettes to reverse the deeply concerning epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that is impacting children, families, schools and communities,” Alex Azar — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, Secretary — said in a statement.

Dates and details on the ban are “coming soon” from the FDA, according to HHS. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer praised the move on Twitter.

History education junior Andrew Hassell said he agrees with the policy as initiated.

“Cigarettes and vapes are getting into the hands of young people, and I think that it can be detrimental to the development of those young people,” Hassell said. “I think that it’s dangerous to have those products flavored in such a way that it makes them enticing to kids.”

At least 380 vaping-related respiratory illnesses

have been reported, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Sept. 16, the seventh vaping-related death was confirmed by Tulare County, California health officials.

CDC officials haven’t yet tied down a specific product associated with the illnesses. Investigations in New York have a lead on vitamin E acetate suspected to be in counterfeits of marijuana-containing vape products.

On Sept. 15, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a similar ban on flavored products.

While health officials are sounding the alarm, smoke shops in the Lansing and East Lansing areas aren’t convinced.

Meagan Pederson, manager of Puff Puff Smoke Shop in East Lansing, says she opposes the ban because of what it does for business.

“Almost everything we sell are (disposable vape pens) and vape juice,” she said.

Pederson also said she believes the ban is ineffective at achieving its goals.

“If kids can get Juul pods, kids can get cigarettes,” she said. “I really don’t think that this ban is going to be doing much in terms of stopping kids from getting nicotine.”

Wild Bill’s Tobacco, a Michigan-based national smoke and vape shop chain, is encouraging its

Flavored vape products soon to be off the shelves after emergency rules initiated by the state of Michigan, the first of its kind. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO

patrons to oppose the proposed flavor ban.

The front page of the Wild Bill’s Tobacco website features a banner ad encouraging visitors to call Gov. Whitmer’s office and demand an end to the flavored vape ban.

Joe Leija, the digital marketing and media manager for Wild Bill’s Tobacco, said the solution to youth vaping is enforcing age restrictions, not banning flavors.

Bipartisan legislation on raising the tobacco age to 21 was introduced in January. Sponsors of

the bill spoke to The State News about the proposed legislation earlier this month.

The Department of Health and Human Services cites a National Youth Tobacco survey as its reasoning for banning flavored vape products.

“The preliminary data show that more than a quarter of high school students were current (past 30 day) e-cigarette users in 2019,” the press release said, “and the overwhelming majority of youth e-cigarette users cited the use of popular fruit and menthol or mint flavors.”

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Top Conditions.

Extensive Updates. Call or Text: 517-4903082.

HIRING STUDENT with car to run errands and drive senior citizen to appts. Make your own hours. $17/ hour. Call 332-5186.

RETAIL SALES Clerk Delphi Glass Creativity Center p/t, includes weekends. Apply @ 3380 E Jolly Rd. 394-4685 or roy@delphiglass. com

House for Sale by owner near MSU. 2BR, 2 baths, living room, fam. rm, w/ fireplace, patio & deck, den, sun rm, 2 car gr., G furnace,a.c.,new carpet & stove in fridge in dining area, MI basement, low taxes, large lot by Crego Park.$129,000 Ph.517-372-5284

***MODELS NEEDED*** Local swimwear, club and rave wear manufacturer selling wholesale to stores in every State and major city is seeking models for our weekly photo shoots. Photo session is on Wednesday’s in the 11-1 time frame and lasts anywhere from 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. Pay is $75 and is fun & easy money. Modeling experience is NOT needed but you do need to like a camera! We are looking for attractive young ladies of any ethnicity 18-30 with fit bodies. Height does not matter, tattoos and piercings are okay.

You will be expected to come with curly hair and night club makeup ready. Check out our website www.minorcreations.com and if interested, email grace@minorcreations.com.

Apts. For Rent BEAUTIFUL ONE bedroom upstairs apartment. Available for 1 tenant. Very close to campus. Free utilities and cable included. 368 Oakhill. 517-332-1763.

NEWLY RENOVATED apartments-Grand River+MAC. Free heat+water! Email mmarcinko@ landmarkcres.com to receive detailed information.

Houses/Rent 2020 Houses. Licensed for 3-8.

Great locations & rates. Call 517.202.0920 or visit msuhouses. com.

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LIC FOR 4. Close to campus.

Excellent rates. Call 517-4101198 or 517-203-5157 MSU CLOSE FALL 2020 msurentalhouses.com or Call/Text Rick at 810-588-7204. Lic for 4, 4 bdrms, Parking for 4, Wash/Dryer/Dish, 3 blocks from MSU

Misc. For Sale 2005 Scion Tc- Bought car 11 yrs ago w/ a salvaged title. 104,000 miles. Black w/ black interior. $1,800.00 or best offer. Reach out to 427lid62@gmail.com.

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THE STATE NEWS

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