Tuesday 10/15/13

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statenews.com | 10/15/13 | @thesnews

Bolstering ASMSU awareness

Starting a spark at MSU

Measure would raise group’s campus profile

Dynamic duo powers hockey

campus+city, pg.3

Freshman forward Mackenzie MacEachern Danyelle Morrow/ The State News

sports, pg. 5

Michigan State University’s independent voice

Affirmative action up for debate By Michael Gerstein and April Jones mgerstein@statenews.com and ajones@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

WASHINGTON— MSU will take center stage in the polarized national debate over race-inclusive admis-

was approved by voters in 2006. Affirmative action advocates will present evidence that race-inclusive policies are effective ways to achieve a diverse student body. Both MSU and the University of Michigan are named in the case because of their proximity to the issue. MSU

sions Tuesday when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments regarding Michigan’s ban on affirmative action policies in university admissions. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is challenging a lower court’s decision to overturn a statewide ban on affirmative action, which

officials acknowledge there has been a drop in minority enrollment since the ban took effect, although they have been reluctant to come out publicly in favor of race-inclusive policies. Another pillar of the case surrounds constitutionally-protected participation in the political

Michigan case to go before Supreme Court in Washington, DC Today

process. Pro-affirmative action advocates argue the ban marginalizes minority groups by making it harder for them to challenge university policy. For virtually all other adminissions changes, citizens are allowed to petition the university directly. Legal experts say the outcome likely will be anoth-

er landmark precedent in the affirmative action battle. In 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit declared the ban unconstitutional on the grounds that it restructured the state’s political process and See POLITICS on page 2 u

tracking affirmative action The state of Michigan has played a key role in cases recently The Supreme Court ruled that the University of Michigan Law School consideration of race during the admissions process unconstitutional. They upheld affirmative action in instances where it was seemed necessary for creating a diverse student body.

Michigan voters approved a ban on affirmative action at the state’s public colleges, despite opposition to the ban from those in-state.

2003

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Michigan law unconstitutional because it restricted the political process and put minorities under burdens on minority students applying at universities and colleges.

University data shows black enrollment dropped by about 17 percent at the university since Michigan’s ban on affirmative action.

2006

The Supreme Court is preparing for Michigan’s case. The court will hear oral arguments from both sides. Experts don’t expect a decision for months.

2011

2012

2013

To view an interactive timeline tracking affirmative action involving Michigan, visit statenews.com.

environment

court

officials to provide cash for student INITIATIVES

Closing arguments over, jury deliberations start in trial

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

The Office of Campus Sustainability is looking to fund student projects that could promote a greener campus. The Be Spartan Green Student Project Fund offers students up to $5,000 to develop a project that would improve campus sustainability. Interested students can fill out an application and plan out a budget. If awarded f u nds, they would pursue the project under the supervision of a faculty or staff member. “This program is an effort to continue encouraging student engagement and exploration in sustainability research, on campus and Lisa Debeyond,” sprez, Campus Campus Sustainabil- Sustainability Director ity Jennifer Battle said in a statement. This is the program’s second year, said Campus Sustainability Administrative Assistant Lisa Desprez. “Last year, we funded 16 projects for about $70,000,” Desprez said. “We also helped the MSU chapter of the U.S. Green Buildings Council go to their annual conference.” The fund is open to supervised-individual students, registered student organizations and MSU academic units. The Office of Campus Sustainability keeps up with the projects by requiring presentations, she said.

“ “Last year, we funded 16 projects for about $70,000. We also helped (groups).”

See FUNDING on page 2 u

Danyelle Morrow/The State News

Judge Clinton Canady III confers with Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor John Dewane and defense attorney Chris Bergstrom during the trial of Connor McCowan Monday at Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing.

By Katie Abdilla kabdilla@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

One side believes Okemos resident Connor McCowan stabbed and killed MSU student Andrew Singler to protect his own life. The other maintains the 19-year-old had plenty of chances to run away, go home or diffuse the situation, but chose not to out of intent to harm Singler. This week, the jur y will

decide who to believe. Both defense attorney Chris Bergstrom and Ingham Count y Deput y Chief A ssistant Prosecutor John Dewane gave their closing arguments for McCowan’s murder trial Monday in Ingham County Circuit Court. The jury began its deliberations and will decide whether McCowan is guilty of first-degree murder, seconddegree murder or voluntary manslaughter. McCowan was charged with

Danyelle Morrow/The State News

Connor McCowan watches his former high school athletic trainer testify during his trial as a character witness Monday at Ingham County Circuit Court House in Lansing.

open murder after a text messaging argument regarding how Singler was treating his girlfriend, McCowan’s sister Shay McCowan, turned into a struggle the morning of Feb. 23. The two fought in the door-

way of Singler’s apartment in Meridian Township, with testimony showing Singler threw the first punch. Singler later died of multiple stab wounds to his chest and arm. Dewane said a gray area lies between Singler’s actions and

McCowan’s retaliation. “ T he defenda nt doesn’t deny he used his knife to kill Andrew Singler,” Dewane said to the jury Monday. “He doesn’t deny Andrew died as a result of

See TRIAL on page 2 u

acade m ics

Simon to receive honorary doctorate degree from Michigan By Justine McGuire jmcguire@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon is expected to receive an honorary degree of laws in December from academic and athletic rival, the University of Michigan. Simon and MSU University Relations did not have a comment in time for print, largely because Simon is visiting Ireland. A c c or d i ng to t he U -M announcement, Simon will be honored because she “has expanded MSU’s reach in the state and around the world by focusing the university’s strengths on solutions that

enhance and protect quality of life.”

Simon is being honored for her commitment to innovation and bolstering research, among other things She became MSU’s 20th president in 2005, after serving the university in several capacities, including assistant provost for general academic administration, associate provost, and provost and vice president for academic affairs. In addition to her presidency at MSU, Simon serves as

See DEGREE on page 2 u

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon discusses issues and topics surrounding the university with members of The State News on Sept. 19. Khoa Nguyen/ The State News


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