Wednesday 10/16/13

Fall Housing Guide inside

The Supreme Court should side with affirmative action Editorial: allowing bans on raceinclusive policies would have a chilling effect on minority enrollment nationwide, as it has at MSU

statenews.com | 10/16/13 | @thesnews

Page 4A

Section b

Michigan State University’s independent voice

Justices hear case on race in admissions

court

jurors find mccowan guilty

By Katie Abdilla and Simon Schuster

Karen Jordan hugs Judy McCowan, Connor McCowan’s mother, Tuesday after the verdict at Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing.

McCowan was found guilty of second degree murder for stabbing MSU student Andrew Singler.

kabdilla@statenews.com and sschuster@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

MSU, public colleges will be impacted by landmark ruling

By Michael Gerstein mgerstein@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

WASHINGTON — Seven years of controversy surrounding Michigan’s affirmative action ban came to a head Tuesday when the U.S. Supreme Court weighed whether to allow universities to include race as a factor in admissions.

The majority of justices seemed leery of the affirmative action advocates, who sought to convince the court that the ban adds an unfair burden to minorities.

Only Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg appeared to support the idea that Michigan’s ban was indeed an act of political restructuring, though Justice Anthony Kennedy — a suspected swing vote — seemed to scrutinize both sides.

Conservative justices, including Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Samuel Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts, questioned why the voters couldn’t change affirmative action policy, just as a university admissions board could.

Shanta Driver, national chair of the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, argued the affirmative action was necessary for minority students to break barriers.

“I think in this case, the difference between what other groups can do in order to get preferential treatment for their sons and daughters and what racial minorities are subject to … places such a high burden on minorities.”

See CASE on page 2 u

Residents with ties to case share their thoughts from D.C.

By April Jones ajones@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

WASHINGTON — After an hour of oral arguments, demonstrators with close ties to Michigan lined the Supreme Court steps on Tuesday afternoon and voiced their opinions on what could be a landmark affirmative action case related to using race as a factor in college admissions.

The case has significant ramifications for admissions in the state of Michigan and elsewhere, as both the University of Michigan and MSU are named in the case for their proximity to the issue.

The issue has drawn significant interest from student groups close to campus.

Michigan voters passed Proposal 2 in 2006, leading to a state-wide ban on the use of affirmative action in public college admissions.

Ariam Abraham, an education senior from the University of Michigan, said it was inspiring and powerful to see so many who supported affirmative action. As an affirmative action activist at the University of Michigan, she said she’s noticed firsthand the decline of minorities on campus since Proposal 2 passed.

See POLITICS on page 2 u

As the jury shuffled into the courtroom Tuesday, Okemos resident Connor McCowan’s family clasped hands, preparing to hear the verdict. Across the aisle, the family of MSU student Andrew Singler waited in silence.

When the second-degree murder conviction was read aloud, McCowan’s sister’s gasping sobs echoed throughout the room.

For the McCowan family, the verdict was devastating.

For those close to Singler, it brought justice.

After a more than twoweek-long trial marked by emotional testimony, McCowan was found guilty of second-degree murder Tuesday afternoon in Ingham County Circuit Court for stabbing and killing Singler during a fight.

On Feb. 23, text messages between the two about Singler’s treatment of his girlfriend — McCowan’s sister, Shay McCowan — escalated into a confrontation in the hallway of Singler’s apartment building. Singler hit Connor McCowan in the head before Connor McCowan stabbed Singler multiple times, once fatally in the heart.

Connor McCowan could face anywhere from 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 6. Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said the length of his sentence largely depends on his prior record.

The jury reached a verdict midway through its second day of deliberations. By not convicting Connor McCowan of first degree murder, the jury indicated that they did not believe the murder was

photos by Georgina De Moya /The State News

“I’m glad that (Connor McCowan) was brought to justice and is going to have to pay for what he did.”

Connor McCowan, convicted of second degree murder, enters the courtroom Tuesday before the verdict at Ingham County County Circuit Court in Lansing.

McCowan was found guilty of the Feb. 23 stabbing of MSU student Andrew Singler.

Brandon Green, Friend of Andrew Singler

premeditated.

Connor McCowan did not visibly react as the verdict was read and showed little emotion, except to say “I love you” to his family as he was escorted from the courtroom.

Singler’s family immediately left the courtroom once the verdict was read, but Connor McCowan’s family stayed in their seats, huddling together and offering condolences.

Both families denied requests for interviews.

MSU alumnus Brandon Green, a close friend of Singler’s, said he and the Singler family felt justice had been served — but a verdict can only go so far.

“I’m glad that (Connor

McCowan) was brought to justice and is going to have to pay for what he did,” Green said.

“I can never get back my best friend, no matter what the sentence is, (but) it’s brought a little bit of closure.”

Green said he has gotten two tattoos in honor of his friend.

“He was the most gentle, nice, kind, happy-go-lucky person that you’ll ever meet,” Green said. “I’ll miss him a lot.”

At various points during the trial, Connor McCowan’s defense worked to convince the jury that his actions were committed in self-defense. He testified that he went to Singler’s residence the

See TRIAL on page 2 u

Volleyball

spartan volleyball team receiving heavy attention

By Omari Sankofa II

Head coach Cathy George high fives fans after Saturday’s game at Jenison Field House. The Spartans defeated Nebraska, 3-1.

osankofa@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

T h e M S U v ol le y b a l l team’s 6-0 Big Ten start is not only the best mark in the conference — it is one of the best starts in program history.

Following another undefeated weekend with wins over Iowa and then-No. 9 Nebraska , the Spartans are ranked No. 5 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll.

It’s the team’s highest ranking since being ranked third in the 1996 pre-season AVCA Poll . The team’s 15-game winning streak also is the longest since the 1996 season.

With the Spar tans in the midst of their best season in almost two decades, Thursday’s ESPN2-televised game against No. 10 Minnesota (16-3 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) will give the nation an opportunity to watch two of the best-performing teams in the NCAA. MSU ’s Sunday matc h against No. 15 Wisconsin (15-3, 4-2) also is set to be televised on BTN Network, making it an exposure-heav y weekend for volleyball.

“We’re televised quite a bit,” head coach Cathy George said at her weekly press conference on Tuesday. “I think they just get back after it.”

After two straight week-

Khoa Nguyen/The State News

road there against Minnesoends at home, the road trip will be volleyball’s ta and then turn around first since upsetagainst No. 15 Wisconting then-No. sin,” George said. “So “Both nights, 1 Penn State both nights, just have just have to and then-No. to get ready and get ready 13 Ohio State. again, turn around, one game after the George and … turn other. (We have to) hopes for simaround.” be real strong this i la r succe s s Cathy George, weekend for t hose t his weekend Head coach c h a l le nge s. ( We ’r e) as the volleyball looking forward to it.” resumes the grind of Big Ten season.

“We might have a tough See SPARTANS on page 2 u

MSU’s Top Games This Season 18 games into the season, the volleyball team already has toppled a few powerhouses. Here are two of their best wins of the year: 9/27/13 Penn State Score: 3-2 It’s not often that Penn State loses a volleyball game at home, but the upset over the then-No. 1 Nittany Lions

proved that MSU’s hot start was no fluke.

10/12/13 Nebraska Score: 3-1 The Spartans’ latest win was over then-No. 9 Nebraska.

MSU was ranked No. 7 at the time, meaning Nebraska, a yearly powerhouse, was the underdog. source:msu volleyball

2A | Th e Stat e N e ws | we dne sday, o cto ber 1 6, 201 3 | state n e ws.com

Continued

Police Brief Police catch Apple tech thieves Police have arrested several individuals in connection with a string of thefts involving Apple products throughout the past three weeks, according to a statement from the East Lansing Police Department.

Officials said the city has seen an increase in “Apple picking,” a term used to describe suspects who hone in on Apple products and snatch them from passerby.

Several people who attended a party on the 200 block of Charles Street on Saturday, Sept. 21 reported having their phones stolen.

Police eventually recovered five iPhones and arrested Jackson residents Devin Michael Caudill, 17, and Marquise Sherrell Coleman, 17, who are charged with felony conspiracy to commit larceny from a person.

Another suspect from Jackson is wanted in the case, police said.

Lansing resident Jeremy Randall Cline, 22, was arrested Oct. 13 in an unrelated incident. He reportedly stole an iPhone on Oct. 12 at a party on the 200 block of Collingwood Drive and attempted to sell it back.

Detroit resident JaJuan Quinton Stuckey, 19, was arrested Oct. 13 and was charged with felony larceny from a person after allegedly stealing an iPhone from a person’s hands on the 200 block of Stoddard Avenue.

case

MSU, others could be barred from using race in admissions if ruling stands from page one

Khoa Nguyen/The State News

Players celebrate after winning a point last Saturday at Jenison Field House. The Spartans defeated Nebraska, 3-1. The team is set to receive heavy television attention this week.

spartans

MSU is faced with a different break between games as a result of television scheduling and media attention from page one

T he t wo-day break between the Minnesota and Wisconsin games is a result of TV scheduling, but it’ll be a welcome break for the team as they’ll have time to regroup in between trips.

“It ’s different, but it ’s

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and other administrators have been hesitant to take a firm stance publicly, although a brief filed to the court from MSU and U-M called into question a number of arguments in opposition.

A brief submitted by U-M and MSU asks the court to disregard the state’s argument for raceneutral policies, claiming there’s not enough evidence to confirm whether race-neutral admissions alternatives are as effective as affirmative action in diversifying the student body.

“There is no evidence in the record to support the argument with respect to the university respondents, and the limited evidence that does contradicts it,” the brief said.

If the high court upholds the ban, MSU and the other 14 public universities in the state of Michigan will remain barred from including race as a factor in admissions decisions.

alright,” George said. “It’s just something that you deal with and you change a little bit of the way you prepare.”

At the press conference, George commended BTN Network for the number of volleyball games the network has broadcast thus far in the season. The Big Ten Conference has been historically good this season, with eight Big Ten teams currently represented in the polls and four ranked in the top 10.

“With the Big Ten Network, they’ve really been showing a lot of volleyball,” George said.

“It’s been great exposure for our conference and for our

players.”

With such a strong start to the season, the weekend will allow the team showcase its talent to a national audience.

MSU is excited for the challenge that lies ahead in terms of playing.

“We do have a better group, and you see the maturity at different times,” George said. We have some youth, so it’s nice to have leadership with the youth that we have and how it combines into handling everything one day at a time with the way we’re going at it.”

case for months.

Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said he was very pleased with how the case went. He said he thought there were good arguments with a solid representation. A supporter for affirmative action, he said he was satisfied with the number of questions that Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked.

“The fact that this was about race in the political (sector), and the (fact that) numbers are down in U-M (and) down across the country, that’s very critical,” Anthony said.

“The fact that this was about race in the political (sector), and the (fact that) numbers are down … that’s very critical.”

The decision, which will likely not be released for several months, may ripple to other states with similar laws.

Solicitor General John Bursch, who argued for the state in court Tuesday, made a case that raceneutral admissions policies are just as effective at fostering a diverse student body as direct affirmative action. Bursch said that the ban simply outlaws race-based discrimination.

Driver and lawyer Mark Rosenbaum, representing the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action in the case, disagreed sharply.

They said the ban places special burdens on minority students vying for leverage in the admissions process.

The heated back-andforth between justices and lawyers seemed to be more intense during Rosenbaum and Driver’s testimonies.

Roberts wondered if it would still have been an act of political restructuring if admissions faculty adopted a ban on affirmative action rather than the voters.

“At what point does the political restructuring doctrine kick in?” Roberts asked in court.

Sotomayor later responded to his logic by saying: “When the process is … changed specifically and only for race.”

Geoff Preston

politics Three-day forecast

Schuette argues that equal treatment “ought to be the letter of the law” in higher education from page one

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“As a black student at the University of Michigan, I’ve seen how it’s played out in the classrooms — it’s pitiful,” Abraham said. “But I am hopeful and I think the crowd is expecting a vote in our favor.”

The justices are not expected to issue a decision in the

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In testimony last week, McCowan claimed he suffered concussion-like effects during the fight with Singler from page one

night of the murder to “talk things out” with Singler.

The prosecution used transcripts of the text messages between Singler, Connor McCowan and Shay McCowan to paint a different narrative, which could have made a difference in the case.

“I don’t think we can underestimate the importance of the text messages and the role they played in the minds of the jury,” Dunnings said, referring to the profanity and threatfilled messages sent between the three prior to Singler’s death.

Even t hough Con nor McCowan armed himself with a knife prior to going to Singler’s house, Cooley Law School professor Ron Bretz said his action likely didn’t

Wendell Anthony, president, Detroit branch of NAACP

“And this is the Supreme Court, we’re hoping they will be ‘supreme’ and do the right thing.”

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette took a different approach, favoring the state’s continued use of Proposal 2. Schuette said students should not receive special consideration based on their race or ethnicity.

“Equal treatment ought to be the letter of the law,” Schuette said. “Any criteria or assessment that a uni-

versity might make that results in racial discrimination is just wrong.”

During a post-case press conference, Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union who defended affirmative action in the case, restated his earlier arguments, telling reporters that since affirmative action passed, the number of black students

at the University of Michigan declined by almost a third.

“This is an attempt to end racial diversity in all schools,” Rosenbaum said.

Shanta Driver, a lawyer representing opponents of the ban, said that whenever issues of race are at play, there’s obviously a big divide on the court. She said she is confident of the outcome and expects a vote favoring affirmative action.

“I think we’ll definitely have the stronger argument, and if this was just a question on logic, and application on precedent, we would win.”

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warrant an intent to kill.

“While that kind of act is often used to show a premeditated intent to kill ... here, Singler apparently texted McCowan that he was going to ‘beat his ass,’” Bretz said in a statement. “It makes sense that McCowan armed himself solely for self-protection.”

At other times, defense at tor ney Chris Bergstrom tried a different approach. He argued that when Singler hit Connor McCowan during their confrontation, Connor McCowan sustained a head injury similar to various sports-related injuries he’d received in the past.

During his testimony last Thursday, Connor McCowan said he felt effects commonly associated with concussions after Singler punched him.

“I saw a bright white flash of light and immediately felt so disoriented, like I was dropped into the situation,” he said.

When Bergstrom attempted to call an expert witness to testify about concussions, Judge Clinton Canady III did not allow it. Canady said that because Connor McCowan did not report the head injury, the court had no verification.

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10/16/13 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

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campus Editor Robert Bondy, campus@statenews.com CITY EDITOR Lauren Gibbons, city@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

H e a lt h

Electronics

MSU study shows ‘advergames’ play role in unhealthy Diets

Political science junior Bobby Parsons, as “Condom Man,” explains how to put on a condom to theatre junior Josh Whitson, center, and theatre senior Erika Clauson, right, Tuesday at Holmes Hall.

By Irum Ibrahim iibrahim@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Margaux Forster/ THE STATE NEWS

Student group teaches sex ed with skits

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

The In Your Face Theatre Troupe is going beyond the typical measures to engage students in learning about sexual health by performing skits with topics ranging from masturbation to condom use.

The Troupe performs several skits about sexual health throughout the school year at residence halls and the organization took its talents to Holmes Hall on Tuesday night.

Members of the Troupe display a variety of majors and backgrounds, and are an extension of MSU’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Student Health Services Educator Kevin Bator said.

“A common theme throughout the series of skits is communication,” said Bator, who advises the group. “The Troupe does not necessarily give the audience

statenews.com F r o m Th e A r ch i v e s

SELF DEFENSE SKILLS STILL USEFUL During my first two months on campus, I have received numerous “care package” gifts from my mother. After she heard about an 18-yearold student who was attacked in September while walking home at night, she decided to give her clumsy daughter a pink canister of pepper spray.

I laughed at the gesture at first, telling her that I probably would end up accidentally spraying myself in the face if I ever tried using pepper spray on an attacker. My joke wasn’t a total lie, though: I had no idea how I would face an attacker if it were to come down to that. It turns out that not knowing what to do in the event of a surprise attack is a long-standing issue.

In the Nov. 19, 1984 issue of The State News, staff writer Lynn Moore wrote an article entitled “Right way to fight gives women edge on attackers.”

Casey Holland

3A

“We know that the vast majority of MSU students come from school districts that do not teach comprehensive sexuality education.”

Erica Phillipich, Center for Sexual Health Promotion coordinator

permission to be sexually active, but instead, they are giving them permission to start the conversation about their relationships, sex and sexuality.”

Some skits include “Lovin’ Yourself,” which is about masturbation, and “Condom Man,” which discusses the correct usage of condoms. A popular eye-opener of the show dispels the myth that condoms are too small when a Troupe member unrolls a condom down her entire arm from fist to elbow, Bator said.

Coordinator of Center for Sexual Health Promotion Erica Phillipich said it’s important to provide students with education

they can “see and witness,” and not just read about.

“We know that the vast majority of MSU students come from school districts that do not teach comprehensive sexuality education, nor do families typically talk to their children about what a healthy relationship looks like and how to talk about your wants and desires,” Phillipich said. “(With the Troupe), you can see and hear how difficult it might be to talk to your partner, but also how rewarding and beneficial it can be.”

With a diverse student body, knowledge and understanding about sexuality is especially important, Bator said.

“Given MSU’s large population, comprised of thousands of people from many different backgrounds, it is safe to say that there has not been a consistent discussion about sex across cultures, backgrounds or sexes,” he said.

The Troupe’s “edu-tainment” factor has proven successful in engaging students in MSU’s neighborhoods, said Health Education Services Coordinator Dennis Martell, who helped create the Troupe when he was initially hired 20 years ago.

“Students today learn vicariously by watching reality television shows or going on Facebook,” Martell said.

“The Troupe has been engaging students in a community environment. Students have reported changing their behaviors and perceptions. We’re just trying to create individuals who make good choices about sexuality.”

A recent study conducted at MSU shows that certain “advergames” not only promote an inactive lifestyle for children, but also contain content that promotes unhealthy eating habits.

A team of MSU researchers looked at more than 100 websites that sported the advergames, or video games that advertise a product or brand, and discovered that many of them are promoting high-sodium, high-fat and high-sugar food products.

“In our technologically savvy society, the two things that have changed tremendously over time are physical activity and what we eat.

The saying ‘we are what we eat’ is fitting, but it is also aggravated by multiple influences, one of which is advertising,” said Lorraine Weatherspoon, MSU associate professor and registered dietitian.

Weatherspoon and Elizabeth Quilliam, an assistant professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, led the project, which received funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Quilliam first began looking at advergames in 2006 when she became aware of the way marketing draws children’s attention in terms of food.

Since 2006, Quilliam and Weatherspoon have worked

on several studies related to how food brands are incorporated into video games.

Through the many studies the two have conducted, they noticed that the promotion of unhealthy eating habits in video games seems to be targeted toward children rather than young adults, although its occurrence still is apparent to all.

Quilliam recently created her own game that focuses on kids ages 5 to 10 to see if there were age-related differences in the way that kids are persuaded and drawn into something particular.

“We are working together on the study to examine the extent to which these exist (with similar platforms) and will work together on a positive intervention,” Weatherspoon said.

She added that she believes these advergames could be used for more positive food choices, such as fruit, vegetables, milk and other nutritious foods.

While the ads aren’t geared toward students, some have not iced t he promot ion of unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles in video games.

Fi na nce sophomore Joe Inman said he doesn’t consider himself an avid gamer, but still notices the advertisement of unhealthy food choices in video games.

He said he can still see the way certain video games promote an unhealthy lifestyle, such as junk food advertisements in games like Madden Football, yet they don’t persuade him to purchase what they’re advertising.

Gove rn m e nt

ASMSU close to allocating $300,000 for New Scholarship

By Nolly Dakroury ndakroury@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, is working to create another academic financial opportunity for students by constructing a new scholarship program.

At the most recent committee meeting, the finance committee approved a $300,000 allocation from its Special Projects funds to create an endowed scholarship. The bill will need to pass through the general assembly at Thursday’s meeting for the allocation to occur.

ASMSU Vice President for Governmental Affairs Jessica Leacher said the money allocated for the scholarship would be an investment in students.

The bill stated that the major objective of the program is to give back to students in the best possible way, adding that the scholarship would be created in partnership with the ASMSU Alumni Association.

“Our next step here is

bringing everyone to the table,” ASMSU President Evan Martinak said. He explained that ASMSU representatives will have to meet with ASMSU Alumni Association members, as well as University Advancement staff, to put together the endowment criteria.

ASMSU officials are hoping the new scholarship program will be running by the start of next fall Martinak said the criteria would determine who would be responsible for administering the funds and what criteria would be set for scholarship recipients. It is unclear whether the scholarship will be need or merit-based.

“We have templates and former examples from past (scholarships), but it’s all about the current people involved to develop the criteria,” Martinak said.

He added that officials hope to get the scholarship and criteria finalized by the end of the spring semester.

Students then would be able to start applying by next fall semester.

In the past, ASMSU scholarships were given to up to five students, but Martinak anticipates this scholarship would be given to around five to ten students, since the organization is setting more funding aside for the program.

ASMSU used to fund The Respect scholarship, which was used to help students who have faced life crises that would keep them from continuing their education. Students used to receive between $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the situation.

Martinak said this scholarship will have a lot of impact on students and will last for a long time, describing it as being “in the family” this time since their main partner will be the ASMSU Alumni Association.

While ASMSU has received some recent flack for new programs for which it has spent funding, such as the bike share program, microbiology and English sophomore Emily McLachlan said the new scholarship could be helpful for many students. “$300,000 is a nice number for sure,” said McLachlan, adding that any sort of help is good for students, since tuition and finances are a continual struggle.

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15 Shield border, in heraldry 16 Skunk’s defense 17 Roulette choices 18 Roulette, for one 19 Baltic native 20 Some boxing wins 23 Not bare 24 Large expanse 25 Cause a stir 31 Bath accessory 33 TV talk pioneer 34 March composer 35 Destructive Greek god 37 Like May through August, literally 40 Bar order 41 Use Comet on 43 Rejection from the top 45 RMN was his vice president 46 Sitcom security device that often defeated its own purpose 50 Bread, at times 51 Salad cheese 52 Where to find the starts of 20-, 25- and 46-Across 59 Winter coat

L.A. Times Daily Puzzle

60 Michigan city or college 61 __ Janeiro 62 Part of a plot 63 Pleased 64 Navel phenomenon 65 Tools for Wolfgang Puck 66 Italian noble family 67 Fancy moldings

Down

1 Burger King supply 2 For each one 3 Recipe instruction 4 Supplement nutritionally 5 Race ender 6 Outcome of successful negotiations 7 Camaro __-Z 8 A bit down 9 Dojo instructor 10 Game divided into chukkers 11 Arabian Peninsula seaport 12 Tools for Wolfgang Puck 13 Gallery showing 21 Senegal’s capital 22 Swimmers Crocker and Thorpe 25 Rudder’s locale 26 Coin-tossing attraction 27 Gooey lump 28 Upholsterer’s choice 29 Previously owned

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

30 Cut the skin from 31 Like “padre,” e.g.: Abbr.

32 BP subsidiary 36 Drag to court 38 Like some millionaires 39 Expensive 42 Pear variety 44 Lake on the New York border 47 Silo filler 48 Hogwarts castings 49 Thoughtful 52 Cuzco native 53 Muffin grain 54 Flock females 55 Latin I verb 56 Single 57 “Garfield” canine 58 “Cheers” actor Roger 59 Maple yield

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4A | Th e Stat e N e ws | We dn esday, o c to ber 1 6, 201 3 | state n e ws.com

Opinion

Featured blog From the archives “The State News reported on Nov. 8, 2006 that the initiative — called Proposal 2, or the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative — passed with 58 percent voting ‘yes’ and 42 percent voting ‘no’ to a ban on preferential treatment to minority groups in terms of government hiring and college admissions.”

Ou r voice | E ditorial

Campus speaks on affirmative action guest columnist

court must not neglect diverse college needs

Read the rest online at statenews.com/blog.

editorial cartoonist Luis Zarco zarcolui@msu.edu

Though tough to pinpoint, affirmative action helps

I

t’s hard for me to give a personal perspective on affirmative action because let’s face it, it’s not obvious. Like some forms of racism, it’s not overt or in your face; it’s subtle and sometimes even undetectable.

So how do you gauge the success of a program that is meant to help so many? The role of affirmative action is not to make it harder for a certain group or to reverse discriminate, but to clear some of the obstacles that have made it difficult for people of color, women and others to reach the same level playing field.

What’s wrong with that?

I understand the argument of reverse discrimination, but is 25 years of affirmative action enough to make up for the hundreds of years of discrimination? Maybe I should not bring up the past, but the fact of the matter is that people of color and women were made to start much further away from the starting line.

While we play catch up, there is a place for affirmative action. I could go on and on about how it is meant to help, but that does not do enough to convince people. How do you make people care about a program that they feel doesn’t even apply to them? Even those who it is meant to help will never really know, because when you are hired or accepted, there is no way of knowing if it was because of affirmative action.

What I can attest to is diversity in the student body and workforce. I’ve been fortunate in my experience at MSU to learn what it means to be Latino, Black, White, Muslim, Asian, gay and a wealth of other identities.

It’s the diversity of MSU that has made my experience memorable.

Why would we limit something so innovative and crucial? According to a Forbes Insight Study, workforce diversity aids in innovation, competitiveness and creativity.

In that respect, there should be a push to have a more diverse student body so that people are comfortable with a diverse workforce.

It’s hard to express the complexity of affirmative action, but I think if I had to express any idea at all it would be this: Affirmative action is not only a tool used to create a more diverse experience, but it provides people of color and women an opportunity to disprove stereotypes. It gives people an opportunity to show that they deserve a place at the table.

I don’t think Michigan has reached a point where it can ban affirmative action. There will be a time and place when affirmative action will no longer be needed, but that time is not today.

We are only starting to make advancements — it would be disheartening to see more roadblocks impede whatever progress we are making.

Luis Zarco is a communications senior. Reach him at zarcolui@msu. edu.

EDITORIAL BOARD Ian Kullgren editor in chief Summer Ballentine opinion editor Celeste Bott staff representative Anya Rath minority representative Micaela Colonna staff reporter

A

student is more than a grade-point average.

A student is more than an ACT score.

A student is more than just black or white.

underprivileged white students from Appalachia.

It’s a dangerous line to draw.

Allowing statewide bans to stand would have a chilling effect on minority enrollment across the nation, as it has here at MSU. Since the ban, MSU has ramped If the U.S. Supreme Court up recruitment in geographic areas upholds Michigan voters’ decision such as Detroit and uses socioecoto ban affirmative action, univer- nomic status as a factor in admissity trustees and board members’ sions. But as Paulette Granberrights to tailor admissions ry Russell, senior advispolicies to the needs er to the president for of disadvantaged diversity and direcpotential students tor of the Office could be lost. for Inclusion and Should the Supreme The justices Intercultural IniCourt uphold should uphold tiatives, correctt he 6t h C i rly said, there’s Michigan’s ban on cuit Court of no evidence to affirmative action?

Appeals’ ruling show those methTo vote, visit to overturn the ods are anywhere statenews.com. statewide ban on near as effective as affirmative action. considering race.

MichW hat ’s most telligan ing is the disturbing drop began a batin black student enrollment at tle that has now MSU. spread to the Enrollment for black undergradhighest court, and uates has dropped about 17 perthreatens the free- cent since voters banned affirmadom of individual tive action, according to univerSorting public universities sity data. to cater admissions That’s compared to a 10 perthe policies to local cent increase in enrollment overnuances needs. That vote all across the state, according to never should have a report from the American Civil of Liberties Union. inclusion happened.

Proponents of the Those in favor of the ban argue should be ban argue that vot- that race is behind us — that this should have the isn’t the 1960s, and with the strides up to each ers right to decide on we’ve made, including electing our univeran issue as impor- first black president, race no lontant as affirmative ger is a disadvantage in society. sity, We agree.

But the fact that there has been depending action.

In fact, voters such a drastic drop in black stuon their already had that dents at MSU proves that we are Every public not a post-racial society, even if individual option. university trustee is race is not necessarily directly tied needs.” elected to office by to social inequality now. a statewide vote.

The simple fact that bathrooms If citizens do not are not segregated anymore does agree with affirmative action at not mean everyone has the same MSU or the University of Mich- opportunities to succeed, espeigan, they could have gradually cially when it comes to higher changed the policy by electing education. officials who share their view.

Now more than ever, a degree To some extent, we agree with is a necessary step to a better life. affirmative action opponents — It’s irresponsible to turn our backs the Supreme Court should not be on inequality — possibly caused charged with solving this high- by race, but also by factors such ly divisive political issue. But we as household income, family backalso believe it is dangerous to ground and geography — and preleave an issue of such gravity up tend that an ACT score or class to one sweeping vote. We would rank is enough to judge whether not be in this mess if that had not someone is fit to study at MSU and happened in the first place. become part of the Spartan family.

The entire country now is faced A well-penned essay could tell with a Supreme Court decision a student’s story better than any that could open the floodgates to number, but it’s also not enough similar damaging bans. This case to promote diversity on campus. could open the door for states to Policies are necessary to ensure strike down any use of race in pub- factors such as socioeconomic lic university admissions. background are taken into account Sorting out the nuances of during the admissions process, inclusion should be up to each uni- and active recruiting like MSU’s versity, depending on their indi- is vital to maintaining minority vidual needs. enrollment.

Inadequate representation of So let’s hope the justices uphold black students might be an issue the previous ruling. that needs to be addressed at Because diversity in family MSU, but a university in rural income, beliefs, culture and yes, Ohio might need to focus its race, is something we should take efforts toward helping equally pride in as Spartans.

“

Michael Holloway mholloway@ statenews.com

“

“

opinion column

— Celeste Bott, State News staff reporter

Affirmative action is necessary; ignoring a problem has never made it go away.

—Holloway

Comments from readers nn

“Affirmative action up for debate” To share your thoughts on this story or any other stories, visit statenews.com.

“The student body of MSU needs to make a choice: do they want a forced-’level’ playing field when recruiting or do they want a competitive and respected academic environment.

Look at the number of drop outs for schools allowing discriminating admissions. The drop out rate among those who were admitted because of their minority status greatly outweighs that of students who got accepted based on their academic merits. Simply stated: no law or regulation can prepare a student for the rigors of university study.

Since the ban was enacted admissions at the university have become much more competitive. This is a good thing for those who are currently enrolled and alumni. A more competitive admission process brings the best and brightest to the university and enhances the student body.

When I started back in 2000, more incoming freshman than ever before were forced to take a remedial math class which they received no credit for. This was simply because the university admitted students who were unprepared. When this happens, the university as a whole suffers because valuable resources are tied up into inefficient programs.

In the end, many of these students would be better off at a smaller college which does not have the rigorous coursework. While it is unfortunate that they were born into this situation, dragging everyone else down to meet somewhere in the middle is no solution to this problem. At the same time, many of them took out loans and then dropped out without any hope of repaying them. If the state of Michigan is allowed to discriminate against applicants then everyone will suffer once again.

Matt, Oct. 15

“You paint an interesting picture of math 1825 as being overrun with brown faces. I started my first year of grad school in 2000 (After four years of undergrad here), and as I recall, 1825, like nearly every other course at MSU, was overwhelmingly filled with white kids. Sorry.

And the current student body is hardly ‘enhanced’ compared to what we had in 1995. Each incoming class never fails to astound me with their increasing levels of indifference to others and self righteous behavior.”

MSUSpartan99, Oct. 15

“What is today’s definition for minority? What happens to all this when the white race is in the minority?”

Haywood, Oct. 15

We want to hear your thoughts.

The State News welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must include your year and major, email address and telephone number. Phone numbers will not be published. Letters should be fewer than 500 words and are subject to editing.

How to reach us Questions? Contact Opinion Editor Summer Ballentine at 517-432-3070. By email opinion@statenews.com By fax 517- 432-3075 By mail Letters to the Editor, The State News, 435 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823

“I wonder how many of those who did not get into a state university took the initiative and went to their local community college? Just because you do not get in doesn’t mean you cannot attend college, at least for 2 years and then transfer over.”

John, Oct. 15

5A | T he Stat e N e ws | we dn esday, o c to be r 1 6, 2013

state n e ws.com

Features

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

Brunched over

construction

Bricks from demolished Morrill Hall are being sold

By Ariel Ellis aellis@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

To commemorate the more than a century-old former MSU landmark Morrill Hall, the university began selling bricks from the dismantled building through the Surplus Store and Recycling Center Friday.

More than a thousand red Jacobsville Sandstone bricks, primarily manufactured in the Upper Peninsula, are being sold for $35 per brick. Each brick includes a certificate of authenticity and is available to purchase online and pickup from the Surplus Store.

James Ives, the store’s sales specialist, said the bricks went on sale Friday morning and 75 bricks were sold in the first few hours.

“Every single project that we’ve done involving selling bricks for memorial keepsakes has sold out in the past,” Ives said.

The money from the bricks sold will go to the endowment fund through the office of MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon.

The university has been selling bricks as keepsakes since the original terra cotta Sparty moved indoors in 2005, which is how Ives said the idea to sell the Morrill Hall bricks came about.

"We sold the bricks from the old Sparty platform that was torn down and that seemed to do very well, so we continued to sell bricks for other campus landmarks,” Ives said.

Alumni, faculty members who worked in the building and students who have had classes in Morrill Hall have been the main buyers, Ives said.

“It’s just another way for fans of Michigan State to grab a piece of the history and have it in your hands,” he said.

Built in 1900 and originally called the Women’s Building, Morrill Hall contained living quarters for 120 women and included a two-story gymnasium, dining room on the third floor, cooking and sewing laboratories, woodworking shop and music rooms.

By Anya Rath

By 1937, the number of women on campus increased and a larger, more suitable women’s dormitory, Sarah Langdon Williams Hall, was opened. The university remodeled the Women’s Building and renamed it Morrill Hall after Vermont senator Justin Smith Morrill, whose name was attached to legislation that established MSU as a land-grant college.

Prior to the Morrill Hall demolition, the building was used for the university’s history and English departments.

The academic units that were housed in Morrill Hall have since moved to locations in Wells Hall and the Old Horticulture Building.

University engineer Bob Nestle said the building, which caught fire during its demolition, had to be taken down because the wood frame structure supporting the building was not designed to support what it was being used for.

“It was going to be too expensive to change out the structure of the building so we had no choice but to tear it down,” Nestle said.

After the buildings demolition, a rededication ceremony was held in August to rename MSU’s Agricultural Hall to Justin S. Morrill Hall of Agriculture.

Doug Morrill, an employee with Infrastructure, Planning and Facilities and fourth cousin of the late Justin Morrill, said it came as a pleasant surprise to him and his family when during the ceremony they received bricks from the original building named after his ancestor.

“We had no idea that (MSU) President Simon would be honoring us with a brick,” Morrill said. “I’m so glad they salvaged them ... it meant a lot to have a piece of family history. I will have it forever and it will be passed down to my children and grandchildren.”

The original Morrill Hall will be replaced with a plaza that will contain pieces from the dismantled building and will be used as a gathering space and green space in the foreseeable future.

Classified To place an ad …

arath@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS

I

nn

t’s the morning after a long night out partying. Your eyelids feel glued together, your throat is dry and your stomach won’t stop growling. It is the perfect time for a hearty breakfast — or brunch, depending on how late you roll out of bed.

Here are five restaurant options in East Lansing to help start the day the right way.

HopCat 300 Grove St. HopCat recently started offering a brunch special, only available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

The menu has unique items such as No Kitty, That’s My Pot Pie!, which is the breakfast version of a traditional pot pie. Brunch sandwiches, and unique French toast and pancake dishes also are available.

Most items on the brunch menu are under $10.

Guests 21 and older can enjoy a buildyour-own bloody mary bar that is only offered during brunch.

Red Cedar Cafe 1331 East Grand River Ave., suite 111 Located in Brookfield Plaza, this restaurant opens up bright and early at 6:30 a.m. Owner Angie Anderson said its special is the frittata, or baked egg soufflé, which comes in a variety of flavors.

Red Cedar Cafe also serves breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal and yogurt parfaits.

Prices range from $1.89 to $5.99 for

Photos by Margaux Forster/The State News

Graduate student Julienne Brock drinks coffee while studying Tuesday at Red Cedar Cafe, 1331 East Grand River Ave. Brock, a commuter from Grand Rapids, goes to the cafe to study between classes.

breakfast goods.

Beggar’s Banquet 218 Abbot Road A longtime downtown East Lansing favorite, Beggar’s Banquet is known for its home-style atmosphere and cooking.

The restaurant has a wide range of foods, such as five different types of eggs Benedict dishes, stuffed French toast and the Beggular, which lets customers build their own three-egg omelette with a variety of options.

Beggar’s Banquet serves breakfast every day of the week from opening until 2 p.m.

Prices range from $5.99 to $9.99 for breakfast items.

Tony’s Restaurant 350 Albert Ave. Tony’s Restaurant opens at 8 a.m. every day and most people come for the breakfast dishes, said server Dana Klecker.

The restaurant offers a wide variety of breakfast dishes, including 12 different types of omelettes, break-

Your campus marketplace! www.statenews.com/classifieds

RaTes

By teLephone (517) 432-3010 By fAx (517) 432-3015 in person 435 E. Grand River Ave. By e-mAiL classads@statenews.com onLine www.statenews.com/classifieds office hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

deadlines

1-5 dAys $2.10/line/day 6-9 dAys $2.00/line/day 10+ dAys $1.90/line/day Classified liners appear online at no additional charge.

Cash, check, credit cards accepted

Liner Ads 2 p.m., 1 class day prior to publication cAnceLLAtion/chAnges 2 p.m., 1 class day prior to publication cLAssified dispLAy 3 p.m., 3 class days prior to publication

Apts. For Rent

Houses/Rent

Houses/Rent

ARE YOU a leader?

Now hiring supervisors for two call centers in East Lansing. One that answers phones and another that makes outgoing calls for Non Profits. Evening and weekend hours a must.

Call 332-1503 today to set up an interview.

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LEASE NOW for Fall 2014. Get more of what you want! 1, 2, 3 + 4 bedroom apts and townhomes. New kitchens + baths. The CATA bus takes you right to LCC + MSU. Plenty of parking.

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332-8600. Rent negotiable. Move in now.

14 AUGUST Houses for rent. Licensed 4-5. Great locations. 517-712-9600.

2 HUGE New 5 bdrm contemporary townhouses. 2 blocks to MSU Union, 2.5 bath, rec room, garage. A/C. 3328600. No pets.

2014 4-6 bdrm houses.

Close to MSU. Craigslist. boydrentals.com.

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2014 HOUSES. Lic 3-6.

517-202-0920, msurentals@gmail.com, www. msustudentrentals.com 2014 HOUSES. Licensed for 4 or 6. Super Locations + Conditions!

517-490-3082 269 HAGADORN lic 4; Lg 4br/1600. 312-5506745 eclausen@hotmail. com 3-4 BR Houses for rent near campus. 2014/2015 Call for list. 517-4823624.

324 DURAND. Close, residential. 4/1.5. lic. 4.

No smoke/no pets. (813) 695-3660.

4 BDRM across from McDonald’s.

Huge Livingroom with fireplace.

Srpmgt.com 332.8600.

4 bdrm/lic left. MSU is across the street. Clean!

Fam. owned. $490/person. 517-676-4641.

70+ HOUSES & Apts.

May/Aug, lic 1-7. 517-351-0765 or hrirentals.com. Now leasing.

ABOVE AVERAGE 264 Lexington Lic. 4, Eamon Kelly 714.654.2701 or enkellyjr@gmail.com

BEST LOCATIONS 520 + 526 + 532 Park Ln. Lic 2,4 + 5. 118 Beech St. Lic 4. 313-595-0181. kashdevelopment.com

ATTENTION MSU Students! Now hiring students to raise money for Public TV & the Arts.

Evening and weekend hours. Earn $8-12/hr.

Call 332-1501 today for an interview EL-HAJJ Malik El-Shabazz Public School Academy is accepting proposals for the cleaning/custodial contract and for the painting of the boiler room. If you are interested in either contract, please contact Haywood Edwards at (517) 267-8474 or via email at shabazzdad@ yahoo.com.

G Y M N A S T I C S COACHES needed.

Recreational classes, pre-k to school aged.

Girls developmental classes. twistarsoffice@ twistarsusa.com or 517322-3060.

HARDWARE CLERK flex sched ft/pt. Retail hardware experience required. 5 miles from campus. Haslett True Value Hardware. 3392829

M E D I A / C O M M U N I C AT I O N S Assistant wanted. MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities seeks a p/t student employee to assist in the Communications department with various communications, marketing and public relations functions. Duties include video shooting/editing and photography for unit web site and promotional materials. Apply online at www.careernetwork.msu.edu , posting 95341 PET CARE looking for hardworking individual F/T days and wknds.

Animal exp preferred.

Resume to Melissa @ PO Box 277 Haslett 48840.

Apts. For Rent 1 to 4 BDRM. Large modern apartments near Union. Srpmgt.com. 3328600.

1, 2, 4, 5 BED apts. 126 Orchard. Heat + water included. On site w/d.

351-0765 hrirentals.com

Across from Holmes/Akers

351-7306

A+ LOCATIONS! All across from MSU, downtown, best of the best! Great studio, 1,2,3,4 bdrm apts. Gr River, Collingwood, Evergreen, Mich Ave, Beal St and more! www.cronmgt.com AVAIL AUG ‘14 Studio, 1and 2 bedroom Apartments.

Heat/ water inc. Great location, Top cond. Check out our visual tours at hudginsrealty.com Call 517-575-0008, no pets.

BRAND NEW! 500 Michigan - Luxury 1 & 2 bdrm apts, under construction now, ready for move-in fall 2014! All granite, w/d in apt, parking, quality furnishings, fixtures & more! www.cronmgt. com or 517.351.1177

RECYCLE this newspaper, please.

Houses/Rent 1-6 PEOPLE, Aug ‘14.

Flower Pot neighborhood, Near Breslin.

Nice home. 927-1338.

1137 FRYE Ave. Very spacious duplex. mclane@msu.edu. Call or text 517-294-8474.

1230 LILAC. 3 lg rm avail now, w/d. New updates. $500 per room. Near Breslin.

927-1338.

13-5 bdrm houses. Great locations on Abbott, Bailey, Evergreen, Hillcrest, Grove, Orchard, and E. Grand River. 3328600 or srpmgt.com ‘14 A+ Nice Houses. Lic. 3-4. Great Locations.

481-6313. bairdrentals. com ‘14 AUG 2 bedroom apt. Great EL location. hudginsrealty.com 517575-0008. No pets.

‘14 AUG great homes.

Variety of prices. Lic. 4, 5, 6. 517-336-7006 homes4spartans.com

Coral Gables 2838 East Grand River Ave. A family-run business, Coral Gables has been an East Lansing staple since the 1920s.

The restaurant offers a variety of egg and omelette

copy errors The State News is only responsible for the first day’s incorrect insertion. Liability is limited to the cost of the space rendered.

dishes, quiche, breakfast sandwiches, French toast, pancakes and waffles.

What makes Coral Gables different from other brunch places in East Lansing is its Sunday breakfast buffet, open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a flat price of $9.95.

The buffet includes scrambled eggs, bacon, cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit and more.

Prices for individual items range from $1.30 to $14.95.

refunds No cash refunds will be issued for cancellations. Credit will be applied to subsequent ads for one year.

pAyment All ads must be prepaid unless credit has been established with The State News.

note to reAders The State News screens ads for misleading or false claims but cannot guarantee any ad or claim. Please use caution when answering ads, especially when sending money.

Apts. For Rent

ALL APTS with balcony

fast burritos, a range of pancakes and French toast.

Prices range from $2.50 to $9.19 for breakfast items.

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

Employment

RIVER GLEN 2 bedrooms furnished

The Red Cedar Cafe is open for brunch at 1331 East Grand River Ave. The cafe serves baked goods including cheesecakes, muffins and scones

Ad AcceptAnce All ads are subject to editing, alterations, approval, or rejection by The State News management.

Employment

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS $13.50 base-appt, flex sched around classes call 333-1700 or at workforstudents.com

From omelettes to bloody marys, East Lansing offers a variety of brunch choices

CUTE HOUSE, 251 Gunson. Lic. 2.$650 per person. No smoking, hot tub, a/c, w/d, 333-9595 FALL 2014. 820 MI, across from Brody, lic. for 5, garage. $2250/ month. 517-655-5578.

LIC 4-5. Close to campus.

Excellent rates. Call 517410-1198 or 517-2035157.

SPACIOUS 4/6 BDRM Lic. 6/4. d/w + w/d. security deposit + utilities 517 599 5731

Textbooks COLLEGEVILLE TEXTBOOK Co. is your source for used books!

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Wanted LIVE IN caregiver wanted, ideal for hlth care students all utilities furnished, some wages paid, duties: helping w/ bathing, some house cleaning, cooking. Anita 517-669-5602

Horoscope By Linda C. Black 10 IS THE EASIEST DAY — 0 THE MoST CHALLENGING

Aries (march 21-April 19) Today is a 7 — You’re doing the work; accept the rewards. Get new ideas, even crazy ones, by calling the right people. Make them work, slowly.

Savor profound conversations.

Venus trine Uranus: You have everything you need. Collaborate.

It’s romantic.

Libra (sept. 23-oct. 22) Today is a 7 — Plan home improvements.

Invest in success. There is more creative work coming in. Write, record or film. Better technology increases profits. Make a romantic commitment. Secrets get revealed.

Get advice from family. Try out an unusual suggestion.

taurus (April 20-may 20) Today is a 6 — An energetic partner spurs you to a creative breakthrough.

Work faster and earn more.

Discuss the possibilities. Share encouragement. Compromise arrives easily. Find another way to cut costs. Travel beckons. Love finds a way.

scorpio (oct. 23-nov. 21) Today is a 6 — Get somebody who already knows how to do the task you’re avoiding. Gather information and pass it to them. New technology helps you advance. Your home plans should work. Grab love when it appears. Be spontaneous.

gemini (may 21-June 20) Today is a 6 — Accept a challenging assignment and prosper. Find another trick to work smarter. You can solve a puzzle. Think through the logic. Add words to the melody.

Cash in your coupons, too. Things get blissful. cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 6 — Figure out exactly what’s necessary. Ask for feedback. Be sure you’re all on the same page.

Conditions are better now for getting out. Fall in love with a new subject, situation or person. Follow this passion.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7 — Keep track of your earnings. Establish better understanding easily now. A new source of funding arises. Keep to moderation. Draw upon hidden resources. Use wits as well as cash for vastly improved results. Feel the love around you.

Virgo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Today is a 7 — Invest in your home office.

Make sure you have the facts. Ask questions. The key to success and satisfaction becomes apparent.

Seek love in the right places. Your own good judgment is still best.

Confer with family.

sagittarius (nov. 22-dec. 21) Today is a 7 — Do the work yourself and listen carefully. Get creative. Follow a confidential tip. Romance the answers out of the material.

Discover a jewel. Share findings.

Houseguests can be annoying.

Family comes first. Fun grows your spirit. capricorn (dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7 — It pays to advertise. Ask for help. Reveal your dreams.

Ask questions and be pleasantly surprised. Make a commitment to listen to each other. Choose your battles carefully. Words don’t fail you now. Your communication is golden.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-feb. 18) Today is a 7 — Pursue all leads. A profitable plot is afoot. Use your secret weapon. Don’t shop until the check clears. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Make sure you know what’s required. Recount your blessings. A female distracts you.

Your charisma draws others in. pisces (feb. 19-march 20) Today is a 7 — There’s more good news with a lucky break. Your words have great power now. A new idea excites. Figure out how to fix up your place. Solicit advice from an old friend. Someone fall in love.

Find today’s paper and more on

statenews.com

Sports

state n e ws.com | The State N ews | Wednesday, octob er 16 , 2013 |

6A

#snDailynumber

40

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

football

Three-and-outs out of 82 possessions for MSU’s defense, which is the nation’s best.

Women’s soccer

Freshmen still adapting with pace, discipline of college soccer

Head coach Mark Dantonio waits to run onto the field before the game against Indiana Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans defeated the Hoosiers, 42-28.

By Derek Blalock

Freshman defender Jessica Kjellstrom heads the ball during the game against Wisconsin Sept. 29 at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. MSU lost to Wisconsin, 2-0.

dblalock@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Danyelle Morrow/the state news

Dantonio talks recent success, home field

By Dillon Davis ddavis@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

My, how the tables have turned.

During an overall disastrous 2012 season, the MSU football team didn’t clinch bowl eligibility until the final regular season game, going winless against Big Ten teams at home while nursing a stagnant offensive attack.

Now, sitting at 5-1 at the midway point after defeating Indiana this weekend, the Spartans are one game away from earning a bowl berth with the Big Ten’s last place team, Purdue (1-5 overall, 0-2 Big Ten), visiting Spartan Stadium this weekend.

After winning 14 consecutive games at Spartan Stadium prior to 2012, head coach Mark Dantonio said that despite a black eye from a season ago, MSU maintains its ability to win games on its home turf, which remains a point of pride for the program.

“I considered last year sort of an incident,� Dantonio said. “I don’t think we lost the games. I think we ran out of time more often than not. We didn’t lose our way. We didn’t lose our home‑field advantage. Every time we came back to play, we were ready to play.�

Other than a 20-3 loss to Notre Dame, the Spartans lost four games at Spartan Stadium a season ago to Ohio State, Iowa, Nebraska and Northwestern, respectively, by an average of a little more than three points.

Dantonio called the Notre Dame game an “aberration,� noting that MSU has a tradition of winning games at home.

Since Dantonio took over the program in 2007, the Spartans have accumulated a 36-12 record at Spartan Stadium, an impressive 75 percent winning ratio. “We’ve always played very well at home; that’s been a tradition here,� he said. “We had a tough schedule and lost to an Ohio State team by one. Lost

to Nebraska by four, and I think Northwestern by three, and Iowa in double overtime.

So we lost four very close games.�

Looking for another home victory, the Spartans will host Purdue on Saturday at Spartan Stadium (noon, Big Ten Network).

Remember November Closing in on the final month of the season, Dantonio expressed the need for the Spartans to play their best football down the stretch. “We want to play our best football in November,� Dantonio said. “We don’t want to start to coast in October and hit November and start to play not as well.�

More online ‌ For a video and more coverage from Dantonio, visit statenews.com.

Rookies, newcomers, young ones — if this was basketball, ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale might even call them “diaper dandies, baby!� But to most, they’re just freshman.

They haven’t been on campus for more than a couple months, but a group of freshman already have been contributing to the MSU women’s soccer team (7-52 overall, 1-5-0 Big Ten).

Megan Rafac, Kaylee Phillips, Marisa Oleksiak, Michelle Dear, Emily Paymer, Jessica Kjellstrom and Kaitlin Johnson all represent the freshman class on this year’s women’s team. “It’s a really different experience playing at the collegiate level,� Dear said. “I’ve had to take it a lot more serious.�

This year’s freshman class of seven girls makes up the youngest group in 25 years This year’s freshman class of seven girls helps make up the youngest women’s soccer team at MSU in 25 years. This season, the Spartans only have six upperclassmen, the first time since 1988 that the team had that few.

Some, such as Phillips, Oleksiak, Dear and Kjellstrom have already received significant playing time. But being tossed into the mix early in their collegiate career hasn’t come without change. “It’s much different than club soccer, and it’s a lot more competitive and more physical,�

Kjellstrom said. “I was real nervous at first because I thought there was going to be a huge difference, and there was; but once

Danyelle Morrow/the state news

I got here, my nerves went away and I started to get in the swings of things.�

Kjellstrom has received the most minutes, as she has started 13 of the Spartans’ 14 games.

She has been a key contributor to the Spartans’ back line, which features junior Nicole Caruso and sophomore Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz.

Both Oleksiak and Dear have also played a key role on MSU’s bench. They have each provided a goal for the offense, including Dear’s clutch goal at the end of the first half of the Eastern Michigan game to turn the momentum and put MSU up 1-0. “The whole freshman class added to our talent pool,� head coach Tom Saxton said. “Michelle’s just an explosive player, and she’s somebody when

you need a little shot in the arm offensively. We’ve thrown her in the game and she’s dangerous ‌ I’m excited to watch them grow in their careers.�

A lthough they ’re young, Saxton said they have already shown bright spots and will continue to learn the speed and physicality of the game as they get more game time.

The Spartans will return to action 4 p.m. Friday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium when they face Purdue (8-5-1, 3-3-0). The Spartans currently sit five points out of being eligible for the Big Ten Tournament.

More online ‌ To watch a video from the team’s practice, visit statenews.com/multimedia.

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2B Housing Guide | Th e State Ne ws | W edn esday, octob er 16, 2013 | state n e ws.com

Living on or living off?

Early signing dates for housing creates issues for students on and off-campus

By Geoff Preston

Education freshman Kendall Clary, top left, criminal justice freshman Elise Plancon, bottom left, and psychology freshman Shelby Krist, right, hang out in their dorm room Sept.

26, 2013 at Brian Hall of Brody Neighborhood. The three share the room because of transitional housing.

gpreston@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

E

ast Lansing is home to more than 49,000 college students. One of the biggest challenges the city faces every fall is where to house all these students.

MSU makes freshmen live in dorms unless they are commuting. The question is: After the initial dorm experience, where do students want to live?

While the answer varies from person to person, one thing has become universally true — you better decide quickly.

The deadline for signing with an apartment or rental company has been moving up on the calendar, with many companies setting their date for early or middle October.

This wasn’t always the case.

DTN Management Co. Vice President Colin Cronin said that when he first started working for DTN 14 years ago, the signing date was in late January or early February. DTN’s date now is on Oct. 20.

“I hate to say it’s kind of a game, but in the last 14 years I’ve been here, a couple people will move the date up to try to get a jump on the competition,” he said. “It’s kind of like selling lemonade at a lemonade stand. If you get an extra week to sell lemonade, you’re going to have more costumers.”

Cronin said signing a lease in October is, “absolutely, horrifically ridiculous.”

“We’ve been talking with the city for a number of years about how do we slow it down or how do we reverse it? How do we get everyone to start renting in January or February again?

That’d be fantastic,” he said.

Market competition Cronin said years ago, the city was “kicking the idea around” of legislation that would make signing before a certain date illegal, but with

many properties available in nearby towns, the logistics got too complicated.

“You’re not just dealing with East Lansing, you’re also dealing with Lansing Township, Lansing, Okemos, Bath.

There are so many municipalities that all have to do the exact same thing,” he said.

Cronin said the volume of landlords also contributes to the early signing date, and he said it’s only going to get more difficult for students who want more time to make a decision on off-campus housing.

“I don’t know how you stop it and reverse it,” he said.

“When you’ve got a competition for a smaller student space, everyone wants to make sure their properties get filled.”

Matt Hagan of Hagan Reality Co. says the market drives the early signing date. Hagan’s date for resigning on a house was Oct. 2.

Hagan said competition also plays a role in the date.

“If you hold off until next March to start leasing, that is a problem,” he said.

Local competition Community Resource Management Co. President David Olson said if the competition between companies in East Lansing didn’t exist, he wouldn’t have the company’s signing date be as early as it is. CRMC’s date is on Oct. 10.

Olson said students were camped out by CRMC’s

Photos

by Khoa Nguyen/The State News

headquarters the night before the deadline.

“It makes me feel bad for the students,” he said.

International relations and Arabic sophomore Marissa Ovassapian was one of the students camped out, and said she wishes the date for signing was moved back.

“It’s a really short amount of time — I wish it was later.” she said.

Living on Some students decide to ditch the long lines and early deadlines in favor of living in the dorms. Ashley Chaney, the assistant director of communications for the Department of Residence Education and Housing Services, said the dorms at MSU have a 44.4 percent retention rate.

Even as the university has housed more students

Community Resource Management Co. President David Olson takes housing requests from students Oct. 9, 2013, outside the leasing office on W. Grand River Avenue as students claim housing for next year.

through things like transitional housing, the campus community is strong, she said.

Chaney said competi-

tion from rental companies in East Lansing doesn’t carry over to MSU. “I think ultimately we are

selling two different products,” she said. “Our focus is to make students academically successful.”

Face time Kathleen Boyle

T

he East Lansing Housing Commission directs city council members like Kathleen Boyle in making decisions about city housing, and reviewing housing licenses and changes to the housing code, among other things.

Boyle was elected to the East Lansing City Council in September 2012. She recently spoke with The State News about how the council and the Housing Commission work together to provide for the greater Lansing community. ­­—Micaela Colonna, The State News State News: What are some important issues the Housing Commission face from a City Council perspective?

Kathleen Boyle: The housing commission is tasked with overseeing the applications for rental licenses within the city of East Lansing. They make recommendations to the city council whether individual rental licenses would be granted and comment on any ordinances that affect housing within the city. They are also tasked with keeping an eye on neighborhood preservation, and there are some programs that assist low-income people in buying housing in the city.

SN: What can be done to improve student relationships within the city?

KB: I think the most important thing is communication.

That is, for students to be able to come to the city with problems they have, and for the city and their various divisions to be able to talk to students. The CRC has been a great step forward in that it has student interns working in the neighborhoods in the closest proximity to the city, as a bridge between people living off campus and the rest of the people in the city that are not students.

SN: What is the CRC? KB: CRC — Community

Relations Coalition. There are student interns who work with various city neighborhoods to build bridges between the university and permanent residents (non-student residents). I think it’s the kind of step we need to foster the feeling of community. For more information, you can check the group’s website at http://wealllivehere.org.

SN: What are some key issues for student residents to pay attention to?

KB: Noise; it helps if you are living in a neighborhood.

Many students like living in a neighborhood and being a part of the city.

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Housing Guide campus living

beau hayhoe bhayhoe@statenews.com

College home creates sense of community Picking a house or apartment to live in for the upcoming year (or years) is a more important decision than most might think.

It seems like it’s a hassle to wrangle up roommates, reserve a living space and then put down a security deposit or rent, but those are more than just steps in the process.

The places we pick out to live, whether on or offcampus, are more than just a living space.

Our homes create a sense of community, and can come to define our time at MSU. It’s comes down to more than just having a bedroom, living room and bathroom.

The roommates you live with can become like family if the experiences are positive, and the time you spend together can create special memories, too.

And being able to host parties, invite friends over and become as comfortable at a college home as in your hometown definitely is very meaningful.

I’ve been fortunate enough to live in the same house this year as last year, and the feeling of home and community definitely hasn’t gotten old yet. Sure, I’m more used to living in my house, and I’m also more used to

3B having a close walk to work, but it still feels like home.

It’s a house that’s been in my extended group of friends and co-workers for about six or seven years; it’s also a house I grew used to visiting as a freshman and sophomore before making the decision to live there.

The house has grown in importance to me across the past year, as my parents moved to Florida and I changed my legal permanent address. It’s a notion that’s great at some times, but terrifying at others — particularly the night after a large party.

Our homes create a special community for our friends and family during special campus events and games I’ve enjoyed many days and nights there, though, but the mind-boggling thing about living in my own house near a college campus is that it’s almost become routine. It’s something I wouldn’t have believed possible a few years ago, and it’s brought with it a dramatic rise in responsibility, too.

At times, those responsibilities have been a bit overwhelming – paying a cable bill is a bit more difficult with a smaller wage than during my summer internship.

But, it’s paid off in terms of adding on additional duties.

Paying bills monthly has helped me amp up my “adult” duties, and prepared me in some small sense for what the “real world” might bring.

Having some of those responsibilities has made me realize, too, that certain things about living in the residence halls can’t be emphasized enough – making my own meals and paying bills at the same time has been,

at times, a bit of a struggle.

But, it’s been worth it overall. It’s taught me to care more about my house and my possessions – with my parents out of state, a good deal of what I now own are things I’ve bought for myself, making it that much more important to enjoy my home and my possessions while I’m still around the city.

Even though it’s been tremendous fun living in East Lansing, it’s also odd knowing that someday soon (about seven months), I’ll have to move out of my house and find an entirely new place to live, possibly even out of state.

It’ll be another period of adjustment knowing that I won’t come back to that house as a resident after spending time there.

It’ll be an odd (and probably difficult) day to leave behind my house on Orchard Street. It’s a place that holds a lot of meaning for my roommates and friends.

I’ve spent a lot of time there with great friends and family, watching football and basketball games and simply spending time together.

The close proximity of my house to campus also has paid great dividends for going to athletic events, walking to classes and getting to and from work in quick amounts of time.

It’s more than a college house. If the walls could talk, they’d sure have a lot to say.

When the time does come to find a new place to live, it’ll sure be difficult to replace Orchard Street. Eventually, that new place will become a “home” for me, too. But my memories always will bring me back to a small white house in East Lansing.

Beau Hayhoe is the managing editor of The State News. Reach him at bhayhoe@statenews.com.

Check out the state news on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/thesnews

Federally insured by the NCUA

4B Housing Guide | Th e State Ne ws | wed nesday, octob er 16, 2013 | state n e ws.com

Housing Guide

state n e ws .co m | T he Stat e N ews | w edn es day, octob er 16 , 2013 |

word on the street

5B

Where are you planning on living next year?

In case you missed it …

“Finding a place to live was actually really easy for me, I’m living with my same roommates from last year in University Village. ”

“I’m maybe still living in McDonel (Hall). (Living off campus) is bad for me, I want to stay alone. It’s a high fee off-campus.”

Kylie Cumback Social relations and policy and education junior

Margaret Han Hospitality business freshman

community

oLivia Dimmer ldimmer@statenews.com

Commuting necessary to have personal space I commute to campus everyday, and I am lucky to do so. Unlike so many other freshman who have to share a bathroom with four people, or worse, an entire floor of other people, I enjoy the luxury of my very own bathroom and my very own bedroom. Not only do I delight in having personal space, I also save around $9,000 in room and board fees.

The amount saved commuting meant not having to take out student loans for my first year of college.

Commuting allows students to maintain own sense of home while still getting to know campus life My reasoning for wanting to commute came from many hot, sweaty summer camps I suffered through right here on MSU’s campus. Every summer since the beginning of high school, I have spent a minimum of one week in the dorms while participating in various educational summer programs.

I remember very vividly being kept up all night by noisy suitemates. I remember rude cafeteria workers and filthy communal bathrooms.

But most of all, I remember waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat because of the late July heat.

I always wanted to go to school at MSU — but it was during those summers at MSU when I decided there was no way I would be living in the dorms.

Lucky for me, I lived within 50 miles of campus and qualified to be a commuter student. While most freshman filled out forms on the Live On website to notify MSU of their dorm needs, I checked a box say-

ing I wouldn’t be needing on-campus housing.

It was as simple as that.

Sure, commuting everyday can be somewhat of a hassle. The driving and bus-riding gets old, and I’m sure it will be even more bothersome once the temperature plunges to around 30 degrees and I must scrape my car windshield free of ice and trudge through snow.

But I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

For me, it was a necessity to end my day in a quiet personal space.

As an only child, I never had to deal with sharing a room or dealing with other people’s clutter. I found comfort in the fact that the only clothes messily strewn around my bedroom were my own and loved that I didn’t have to wear flipflops in the shower.

I’m sure living in the dorms teaches multiple lessons in patience, problem-solving and working with others, and in no way am I trashing dorm life or on-campus living — it simply wasn’t the right fit for me.

Next year, I plan on living in an apartment close to campus with a roommate. I most likely will learn all of those valuable lessons then — I’ll just be learning them in the comfort of an air-conditioned living room.

Even though I am a commuter student, I consider myself just as involved in campus life as any other student. Being a commuter doesn’t automatically exclude me from having a similar college experience. Life on campus is what you make of it, commuter or not.

There are studies that say commuter freshman don’t feel as involved in college or have a harder time adjusting to it, but that isn’t true for me in terms of the experiences I’ve had so far.

It’s up to the individual student to decide how invested they are socially and academically, whether they are from different continents, different states or just an hour’s drive away from home.

Olivia Dimmer is a State News reporter. Reach her at odimmer@statenews.com

“I want to live in Cedar Village next year, it’s kind of right in the middle of everything. I like the location of it — it’s pretty close to everything.”

“I got my house on the corner of Spartan Avenue.

There was a sign in the front yard. I just called the number. I’m not really stressed about it.”

“For next year, I’m definitely living at a house, we just haven’t figured it out yet because my friends are all juniors and seniors (and we’re waiting). ”

Travis Gleason Criminal justice freshman

Nick Palumbo LCC junior

Omar Tenorio-Leyva Entomology sophomore

Amenities, features differ even among nearby housing complexes

O

n-campus living differs somewhat from offcampus living in terms of amenities. Check out a comparison between Brody Square and nearby campus apartment complexes.

Brody Neighborhood A beautiful mass of environmental design, including a rain garden created with a water tank for reuse throughout the building, is one of the many highlights that catch students’ attention when approaching Brody Neighborhood. Located on the west side of campus just north of Red Cedar River, Brody Neighborhood is in close proximity to the Breslin Student Events Center.

Brody residents enjoy many amenities, including academic, health and wellness, intercultural and residential services, community-style bathrooms, the largest student rooms on campus, and a dining hall ranked among the best in the nation, with housing rates set by MSU for each upcoming year.

The Oaks Located next to the MSU campus, The Oaks offers students a convenient and luxurious area to live. Floor plans include one and two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom split level apartments, and newly remodeled kitchens, with spiral staircases for split levels.

Amenities include dishwasher use, large closets, a microwave and refrigerator, window coverings, cable and satellite packages, air conditioning, furnished living, and garbage disposal for all residents.

Rent: One bedroom/one bath: $974-$1,069 Two bedroom/two bath: $1,270-$1,554 Two bedroom Split-Level/1.5 baths: $1,304-$1,554 Cedar Village Just minutes away from the MSU campus, residents of Cedar Village are within walk-

2900 Place!

517.579.0024

www.2900placeapartments.com

compiled by cayden royce | Sn

Stacking up: On & off-campus

Live CLOSE for LESS in the NEWLY RENOVATED Swimming Pool Study Lounge Fitness Room Balconies

The rush for housing is on for students. With signings continuing this week in a competitive environment for housing, students from the Lansing area and MSU shared their thoughts on what exactly they chose to do for the upcoming academic year, noting that it was important to figure in amenities, pricing and location when picking prime housing across East Lansing.

Irum Ibr ahim/The State News

The Oaks apartment complex is pictured last week. Complex amenities differ even from campus.

ing distance to clothing stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and downtown East Lansing. With this ideal location, most residents don’t feel the need for a car to get around the city.

Cedar Village also is close to academic buildings. Cedar Vil-

lage Apartments also have a well equipped fitness center, on-site laundry facilities and convenient parking (including a covered ramp and bike racks).

Rent: One bedroom/one bath: $964-$1,114

Two bedroom/one bath; four people: $1,234-$1,504 Two bedroom/one bath; three people: $1,579-$1,779 Two bedroom/one bath; two people: $1,679-$1,884 —Irum Ibrahim, The State News

Housing Guide

state n e ws .co m | T he Stat e N ews | w edn es day, octob er 16 , 2013 |

word on the street

5B

Where are you planning on living next year?

In case you missed it …

“Finding a place to live was actually really easy for me, I’m living with my same roommates from last year in University Village. ”

“I’m maybe still living in McDonel (Hall). (Living off campus) is bad for me, I want to stay alone. It’s a high fee off-campus.”

Kylie Cumback Social relations and policy and education junior

Margaret Han Hospitality business freshman

community

oLivia Dimmer ldimmer@statenews.com

Commuting necessary to have personal space I commute to campus everyday, and I am lucky to do so. Unlike so many other freshman who have to share a bathroom with four people, or worse, an entire floor of other people, I enjoy the luxury of my very own bathroom and my very own bedroom. Not only do I delight in having personal space, I also save around $9,000 in room and board fees.

The amount saved commuting meant not having to take out student loans for my first year of college.

Commuting allows students to maintain own sense of home while still getting to know campus life My reasoning for wanting to commute came from many hot, sweaty summer camps I suffered through right here on MSU’s campus. Every summer since the beginning of high school, I have spent a minimum of one week in the dorms while participating in various educational summer programs.

I remember very vividly being kept up all night by noisy suitemates. I remember rude cafeteria workers and filthy communal bathrooms.

But most of all, I remember waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat because of the late July heat.

I always wanted to go to school at MSU — but it was during those summers at MSU when I decided there was no way I would be living in the dorms.

Lucky for me, I lived within 50 miles of campus and qualified to be a commuter student. While most freshman filled out forms on the Live On website to notify MSU of their dorm needs, I checked a box say-

ing I wouldn’t be needing on-campus housing.

It was as simple as that.

Sure, commuting everyday can be somewhat of a hassle. The driving and bus-riding gets old, and I’m sure it will be even more bothersome once the temperature plunges to around 30 degrees and I must scrape my car windshield free of ice and trudge through snow.

But I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

For me, it was a necessity to end my day in a quiet personal space.

As an only child, I never had to deal with sharing a room or dealing with other people’s clutter. I found comfort in the fact that the only clothes messily strewn around my bedroom were my own and loved that I didn’t have to wear flipflops in the shower.

I’m sure living in the dorms teaches multiple lessons in patience, problem-solving and working with others, and in no way am I trashing dorm life or on-campus living — it simply wasn’t the right fit for me.

Next year, I plan on living in an apartment close to campus with a roommate. I most likely will learn all of those valuable lessons then — I’ll just be learning them in the comfort of an air-conditioned living room.

Even though I am a commuter student, I consider myself just as involved in campus life as any other student. Being a commuter doesn’t automatically exclude me from having a similar college experience. Life on campus is what you make of it, commuter or not.

There are studies that say commuter freshman don’t feel as involved in college or have a harder time adjusting to it, but that isn’t true for me in terms of the experiences I’ve had so far.

It’s up to the individual student to decide how invested they are socially and academically, whether they are from different continents, different states or just an hour’s drive away from home.

Olivia Dimmer is a State News reporter. Reach her at odimmer@statenews.com

“I want to live in Cedar Village next year, it’s kind of right in the middle of everything. I like the location of it — it’s pretty close to everything.”

“I got my house on the corner of Spartan Avenue.

There was a sign in the front yard. I just called the number. I’m not really stressed about it.”

“For next year, I’m definitely living at a house, we just haven’t figured it out yet because my friends are all juniors and seniors (and we’re waiting). ”

Travis Gleason Criminal justice freshman

Nick Palumbo LCC junior

Omar Tenorio-Leyva Entomology sophomore

Amenities, features differ even among nearby housing complexes

O

n-campus living differs somewhat from offcampus living in terms of amenities. Check out a comparison between Brody Square and nearby campus apartment complexes.

Brody Neighborhood A beautiful mass of environmental design, including a rain garden created with a water tank for reuse throughout the building, is one of the many highlights that catch students’ attention when approaching Brody Neighborhood. Located on the west side of campus just north of Red Cedar River, Brody Neighborhood is in close proximity to the Breslin Student Events Center.

Brody residents enjoy many amenities, including academic, health and wellness, intercultural and residential services, community-style bathrooms, the largest student rooms on campus, and a dining hall ranked among the best in the nation, with housing rates set by MSU for each upcoming year.

The Oaks Located next to the MSU campus, The Oaks offers students a convenient and luxurious area to live. Floor plans include one and two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom split level apartments, and newly remodeled kitchens, with spiral staircases for split levels.

Amenities include dishwasher use, large closets, a microwave and refrigerator, window coverings, cable and satellite packages, air conditioning, furnished living, and garbage disposal for all residents.

Rent: One bedroom/one bath: $974-$1,069 Two bedroom/two bath: $1,270-$1,554 Two bedroom Split-Level/1.5 baths: $1,304-$1,554 Cedar Village Just minutes away from the MSU campus, residents of Cedar Village are within walk-

2900 Place!

517.579.0024

www.2900placeapartments.com

compiled by cayden royce | Sn

Stacking up: On & off-campus

Live CLOSE for LESS in the NEWLY RENOVATED Swimming Pool Study Lounge Fitness Room Balconies

The rush for housing is on for students. With signings continuing this week in a competitive environment for housing, students from the Lansing area and MSU shared their thoughts on what exactly they chose to do for the upcoming academic year, noting that it was important to figure in amenities, pricing and location when picking prime housing across East Lansing.

Irum Ibr ahim/The State News

The Oaks apartment complex is pictured last week. Complex amenities differ even from campus.

ing distance to clothing stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and downtown East Lansing. With this ideal location, most residents don’t feel the need for a car to get around the city.

Cedar Village also is close to academic buildings. Cedar Vil-

lage Apartments also have a well equipped fitness center, on-site laundry facilities and convenient parking (including a covered ramp and bike racks).

Rent: One bedroom/one bath: $964-$1,114

Two bedroom/one bath; four people: $1,234-$1,504 Two bedroom/one bath; three people: $1,579-$1,779 Two bedroom/one bath; two people: $1,679-$1,884 —Irum Ibrahim, The State News

6B Housing Guide | Th e State Ne ws | w edn esday, octob er 16, 2013 | state n e ws.com

Housing Guide student living

robert Bondy rbondy@statenews.com

Shaw Hall offers great upside Living on campus as a sophomore wasn’t the ideal plan, but it can have some perks when you choose the right dorm to live in.

Housing options are presented every year around this time, and many students are stuck in the middle of whether to stay on campus or move off. It’s a big decision for students to sign on a dotted line for a housing option nearly a year away. Many of the younger student population, some of whom only have called East Lansing their new home for a few months, dive through the pros and cons of both options.

Off-campus housing provides more freedom, but brings up the hassle of living further from your classes and campus needs. For me, the decision to live on campus for the second-straight year has been a good decision because of where I decided to live.

I currently live in East Shaw Hall, putting me smack dab in the middle of campus. I’m no more than a 15-minute walk to the farthest north, east, south or west point of MSU. I get a view of the beautiful Red Cedar River from my room and have only a two-minute walk up the stairs to eat. It’s safe to say my current location isn’t too shabby. I chose to live on campus this year because of those reasons listed above, and Shaw Hall has lived up to my expectations thus far.

Shaw Hall was my first choice after I elected to live on campus again this year, main-

state ne ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | w edn es day, octob er 16 , 2013 |

ly because of the location.

Because of my position at The State News, I’m forced to schedule earlier classes so I’m free in the afternoon for work. This means waking up and arriving on time for an 8 a.m. class is easier when I have only a five-minute walk to Wells Hall. Those extra 10 to 15 minutes of sleep go a long way when a professor is giving a dry, complicated lecture on Canadian government policies.

Another enjoyable perk that comes with the location of Shaw Hall is that it is across the street from the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, bus station. While I’m not a fan of the CATA buses, it does serve as a security transportation system if I’m running late or need to get to somewhere off-campus.

Outside of the location of Shaw Hall comes the advantage of having a brand-new cafeteria in the same building. The Vista at Shaw Hall opened in January and is the newest cafeteria on campus. Other than Brody Square, I would say the new cafeteria in Shaw Hall is the best food option on campus.

Another reason I’m content with my current living option is because most of my friends are living on the same floor as me. When signing up to live on campus for a second year, students are presented the opportunity to choose which dorm and hall they’d like to live in. With that being the case, some of my friends and I chose the same hall to live in.

While choosing to live in the residence halls for more than one year isn’t always the sexy choice, it can provide to be the best choice.

If you select the right dorm, then living on campus isn’t the end of the world.

Robert Bondy is the campus editor at The State News. Reach him at rbondy@statenews.com.

word on the street

7B

What’s your ideal housing situation and why?

In case you missed it …

“I live on campus for many reasons. One is convenience, two is all my friends live here, but the most influential is my scholarship money is put right to housing.”

“I lived in South Neighborhood last year and it was really far away — I needed to be in a more central location. I love that I can cook for myself and I have much more space.”

Juan Mena Chemical engineering junior

Carly Belsito Journalism sophomore

“I live in The Lodges. It is great because I have a gym 10 feet away, there is a pool, our own busses, and they have a modern design.”

Compiled by Derek Gartee | SN

James Kim Engineering sophomore

Know before you sign

H

With the rush to find housing for next year, many students are choosing where they should live. The choice between on campus and off campus housing can be very difficult and spots are filling up. Here are some students’ takes on the best options around town.

Leasing companies work to provide key services in city

ousing in the city features various amenities geared toward students. Several prominent leasing companies provide services and utilities, along with maintenance and repairs for students.

Some of these companies also are involved in large-scale development projects across the city, including the planned Park District project, a $105 million redevelopment effort being led by DTN Management Co. that would offer retail

and business space along with other options, including potential dining space, all of which has received scrutiny. Other development opportunities such as the St. Anne Lofts project also have sprang up across the past year in an attempt to keep students and recent alumni in the downtown area. However, other, more affordable options exist across town for students. Take a look at some features of city leasing companies.

DTN Management Co.

Hagan Realty

Offers student apartment housing, residential complexes, and commercial properties with residential spaces DTN is leading the effort on re-developing the Park District project area, once a part of the failed City Center II project Company recommends renter’s insurance and offers utilities through Consumers Energy and the Lansing Board of Water & Light Furniture renting options also are available Roommate matching is offered through

the company as well

Community Resource Management Co. Competition for housing through CRMC often is competitive; students lined up as early as the day before to secure housing and apartments for the upcoming year Company manages more than 400 properties Company works with the city on trash removal, as well as snow removal CRMC employs 14 full-time maintenance and 6 parttime employees to take care of housing issues

­—Beau Hayhoe, The State News Company has been familyowned and operated for more than 40 years Company works with contractors and employees to provide safe, up-to-date housing and maintenance practices, according to its website A new, seven-bedroom, four-bathroom property is being constructed at 547 E. Grand River Ave. and is expected to be open prior to the start of the 2014-15 school year, according to the company’s website.

Company’s website lists about 48 properties

available for August 2014 leases as of the end of the week of Oct. 6

Hudgins Realty Company offers about three dozen property locations for rent across East Lansing Properties range from apartments to duplexes and houses Properties include appliances Lawn care also is provided at all residences Cable services typically are provided by Comcast, while gas services are provided through the Lansing Board of Water and Light

8B Housing Guide | Th e State Ne ws | wed nesday, octob er 16, 2013 | state n e ws.com

Housing Guide

state n e ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | w edn es day, octob er 16 , 2013 |

Neighborhoods provide unique atmosphere All across campus, MSU’s complexes offer different features and perks

T

he MSU LiveOn campaign continues to encourage students to stick around on campus for the upcoming academic year.

The campaign aims to attract students to on-campus resources to bolster MSU’s residence hall experience.

The campaign’s online signup started at 9 a.m. Oct. 9, and is available until April 1, 2014.

Online sign-up allows any student to pick any available space in a residence hall or apartment.

Among other locations, onsite sign-up in the University Village Community Center was scheduled to start Tuesday, allowing current residents to sign up for space in any available apartment.

For students wanting to pair up with a new roommate, the RoomSync application can be accessed via Facebook, according to LiveOn’s website.

Check out features of on-campus housing and various oncampus housing rates below: Basic campus housing rates: Double-room residence hall rates for 2013-14: $3,636 (projected to increase for 2014-15) Basic on-campus meal plan for 201314: $5,170 (projected to increase for 2014-14) Brody Complex Neighborhood features six different residence halls Includes the Brody Neighborhood Engagement Center and Brody Square, a large dining facility opened in 2010

Isabella Shaya ishaya@statenews.com

Finding offcampus house a process

Irum Ibr ahim/The State News

Brody Complex Neighborhood is one of many campus living facilities.

Emmons Hall was re-opened following extensive renovations prior to the 2011-12 school year Other halls, including Bailey, Armstrong and Rather halls, have recently undergone millions worth of renovations Facilities are in close proximity to Breslin Center, Munn Ice Arena and Spartan Stadium South Neighborhood Facilities located just southwest of Spartan Stadium Made up of four residence halls Neighborhood includes an engagement center with access to math and writing assistance Holden Hall includes co-ed floors and cafeteria, newly renovated prior to the 2011-12 school year Case Hall features a multimillion-dollar cafeteria Case Hall includes James Madison College academic programs and housing North Neighborhood Combines former Snyder-Phillips and Mason-Abbot halls, along with West Circle dormitories North Neighborhood halls are the oldest halls on-campus, tying in old, collegiate-style architecture West Circle dormitories include Campbell, Gilchrist, Landon, Yakeley, Mayo and Williams halls The Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, or RCAH, is located in Snyder-Phillips Hall Snyder-Phillips Hall features The Gallery at Snyder-Phillips cafeteria

East Neighborhood Sits on the northeast side of campus, near Hagadorn Road Combines three residence halls Each residence hall has a separate cafeteria Hubbard Hall includes an engagement center, with math and writing assistance, as well as healthcare options Hubbard Hall also features a Sparty’s Cafe, featuring more amenities than a typical Sparty’s convenience store River Trail Neighborhood Runs along the Red Cedar River’s south bank Includes three residence halls, as well as VanHoosen Apartments McDonel Hall, within the neighborhood, ties in an engagement center The neighborhood’s rooms are close to the Eli Broad College of Business, the College of Law, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Wharton Center, which features oncampus performing arts.

Spartan Village and University Village Off-campus apartments offer more independence than residence halls Apartments are geared towards upperclassmen, graduate students and students with families Complexes offer close proximity to campus, with independent resources —Beau Hayhoe, The State News SOURCE: MSU LiveOn

“[My duplex] is the nicest place I’ve lived in so far. It’s really quiet because it’s so far away from everything and there’s a lot of space.”

Shane Renteria Physics senior “I like the privacy of living in an apartment.

I can basically do what I want. I definitely think it’s better than a dorm.”

Semaja Ford Advertising senior

word on the street

What do you like most about your living arrangement? complied by Brian Palmer

“I can’t really stand smoking and it’s just nice that they’re looking out for most people’s best interest.”

Nicole Abbo Marketing junior

“I live at Holmes (Hall). The food isn’t that great, but I like the community feel.”

Elizabeth Hergert Zoology freshmen

COME FIND YOUR HOME!

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Finding a place to live in East Lansing can be a difficult task. You have to find the right amount of people, a place everyone likes and can afford and then secure the location you want on top of everything.

The first step is to find friends to live with. I would suggest to find a group of friends you like, and then find a place that suits the group.

Make sure your friends are looking for the same things in a house, such as price and location, otherwise you will have to make compromises later.

Asking around and visiting city housing spots can be useful for students

If you are short a roommate or two, or if you don’t have any friends to live with, I would suggest asking all your friends if they need a place to live next year, including people who you might not be very close with. It’s better to live with someone you know rather than a stranger, because then you can be aware of what to expect.

If all of your friends say no to living with you, I would suggest looking and posting an ad on allMSU. com. There is a specific section for students looking for roommates on the

9B

Pressure from management companies complicates everything. Students are forced to sign … about 10 months (in advance). site. I found one of my current roommates on allMSU. com, so it is possible to find someone on the website.

I also would suggest posting on Facebook. Join some Facebook groups for MSU students, such as one for finding roommates, and post on those pages or look through messages. I have received a lot of responses from posts I put on Facebook groups.

If you do get a response or find a group to stay with from an online post, it’s best to meet with the person or people before you commit to living with them.

After you get the roommate situation worked out, then you have to find a place to live. There are different types of places, such as duplexes or apartments, for different numbers of people. This is why it is best to know how many students you are living with before you look for a place.

Pressure from management companies complicates everything. Students are forced to sign for many places about 10 months before we actually are going to live there.

A lot of things change in 10 months — class schedules, friend groups and interests. But, housing companies are forcing students to decide how next year will go far in advance.

My friends and I were hoping to get a house for next school year that has been passed down among friends for years, but we did not get to the leasing office early enough and another group got the house.

We were very disappointed, but determined to find another place. My roommates and I proceeded to walk and drive around East Lansing, looking for a place to live.

Many houses and apart-

ment complexes have a number to call on a sign for those interested in renting the place. We called places that were in the area we wanted to live and looked to be a good size. It also is helpful to keep a list of all the places you are interested in and take photos of each.

Looking through those photos and scouting out a location to live in makes the entire process easier for all involved, and it can pay dividends, too.

If there is a place you are interested in seeing but can’t make an appointment to see it, I would suggest knocking on the door if you see there are people home. Other students understand how difficult it is to find the right place, so most will be willing to give you a tour.

Also, the current residents will be able to give you more information on the place than someone from the leasing office will. The current residents can tell you any issues they have had with the house or what it is missing, which might have a lot of weight on your final decision to live there or not.

My roommates and I eventually found a home that fits all of our price limits and is in a great location. It’s nice to be done with finding a place to live rather than waiting until the last minute.

The rules and procedures that go along with finding a place to live in East Lansing can be difficult, but there’s no way to get around it. As long as you find a place with new or old friends, you can make any location work and have a memorable year at MSU, whether living on or off-campus.

Isabella Shaya is the features editor at The State News. Reach her at ishaya@statenews.com

10B Housing Guide | Th e State Ne ws | wednesday, octob er 16, 2013 | state n e ws.com

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