Tuesday 12/3/13

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Tough loss

How to prep for cold winter weather

MSU looks to bounce back after IPFW

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Junior forward Becca Mills Margaux Forster/The State News

features, pg. 5

sports, pg. 6

Michigan State University’s independent voice

International Expansion Enrollment of Chinese students far outpaces national trends as economics, academics play role 2013 Overall Enrollment of International Students from Top Countries

China Turkey Canada

155

65

Iran

ndakroury@statenews.com

69 Korea 563 Taiwan 184

215 India

All other Countries Brazil

THE STATE NEWS

Thailand

276

nn

65

90

Total

7161 Undergraduate International Student Composition by Percent

Overall Enrollment of International Students Over the past 10 years by Country

China 2004 5000

2005 2006

4000

China

2007 3000

2008 2009

2000

2010 1000 2011 0

2012

2004

2005

2006

2007

2013

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

year

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Percent of International student population from each country GRPAHIC BY ISABEL CALDER | SN SOURCE: office for int’l students and schol ars

By Simon Schuster sschuster@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

D

uring the past 10 years, international student enrollment at MSU has seen stagnation and in many cases, even decline, with one big exception — China.

Data compiled by The State News from the Office for International Students and Scholars, or OISS, illustrates how students from the world’s most populous country have

come to dominate the composition of MSU’s international student body by sheer numbers alone.

The dramatic rise of Chinese students at MSU reflects a broader national trend, only much more dramatically, exhibiting growth significantly above national and state averages. In particular, the influx of undergraduates from China has been the primary, if not sole, driver of MSU’s international enrollment growth since undergraduate students from abroad first eclipsed international graduate students in 2009.

There is no clear answer as to why so many Chinese students have flocked here, but it is apparent that conditions at the university are particularly congenial to stu-

dents from the world’s second-largest economy.

China’s ascension Nationally, Chinese international enrollment has almost doubled since 2009, surpassing India with close to 200,000 students now studying in the U.S., even as many other countries have decreased in enrollment.

In 2004, there were 44 Chinese undergraduates at MSU, making up just 4.4 percent of MSU’s undergraduate enrollment from abroad. This fall, 3,458 students comprise 76.5 percent of that population.

See TRENDS on page 2 u

To view an interactive infographic tracking international student enrollment at MSU, visit statenews.com.

sports brief

basketball

For Izzo, dreams of success come true Spartan ‘d’ earns high honors

By Zach Smith zsmith@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Tom Izzo is living the dream this week — he just hopes it doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

His No. 1 MSU men’s basketball team hosts North Carolina at 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Big TenACC Challenge, and the Spartan football team plays for a Big Ten Championship Saturday night in Indianapolis.

“My dream as a Michigan State person, as a member of this community, was always to see the day when we were successful in both sports,” Izzo said. “Things have

See BASKETBALL on page 2 u

Danyelle Morrow/The State News

Head coach Tom Izzo gestures to players during the game against Portland on Nov. 18, 2013, at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Pilots, 82-67.

GRAD DEBT AN ISSUE ON CAMPUS, ELSEWHERE

By Nolly Dakroury

80

Japan

Saudi Arabia

1016

4283

acade m ics

With the nation’s No. 1 defense residing in East Lansing, it was all but guaranteed the Spartans would make their presence known in the Big Ten football awards.

Six members of the No. 10 MSU football team earned All-Big Ten firstteam honors from the coaches, the program’s highest amount since 1966 — the last time the Spartans claimed a national title.

Senior safety Isaiah Lewis, junior safety

Kurtis Drummond and senior cornerback Darqueze Dennard were named to the first-team.

Spartan defensive backs took up three of the four defensive back spots.

Sophomore defensive end Shilique Calhoun, senior linebacker Max Bullough and junior punter Mike Sadler completed the Spartans’ showing on the first-team.

However, Dennard and Calhoun were the biggest winners of the night, with Dennard winning the TatumWoodson Defensive Back of the Year award and Calhoun taking home the SmithBrown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.

“Placing five players on the Coaches’ All-Big Ten first-team defense speaks

The Council of Graduate Students is advocating for National Call Congress Day on Dec. 4, encouraging graduate students to talk to government representatives about their concerns over loans and debt.

COGS Vice P resident of External Affairs Dionisia Quiroga said getting students to participate in National Call Congress Day is an initiative under the ‘Grads Have Debt 2’ campaign, which aims to spread awareness about the financial struggles and loan issues of graduate and professional students — and to inform Congress about it.

The campaign was established by the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, or NAGPS. Quiroga said the association is trying to push students to call their state senators or any government official and let them know that graduate students need more assistance and support when it comes to loans and debt.

According to a handout by the NAGPS, graduate student loan interest rate for the 2013-14 school year is 5.41 percent, compared to 3.86 percent for undergraduate students.

According to the same h a n dout , t h e a v e r a g e cumulative debt for a master’s student is $52,000, for a doctoral student, it’s $72,000, and for professional degree students, it’s $113,000.

“Graduate students are demog raphica lly dif ferent,” Quiroga said. ” They’re more likely to have families, their parents don’t pay for them anymore, and a lot of them come in with undergraduate student debt.”

Quiroga said graduate and professional students cannot obtain subsidized loans anymore after the Budget Control Act of 2011 was passed.

COGS P re sident Ste fan Fletcher said that on a national level, graduate students now are trying to get the subject of subsidized loans for graduate students back on the agenda.

Q u i r og a sa id g r adu-

See DEBT on page 2 u

to the success of our entire unit as well as the coaching staff,” head coach Mark Dantonio said in a release.

“Our defense did an outstanding job throughout the 12-game regular season.”

Senior offensive guard Blake Treadwell and senior linebacker Denicos Allen were named to the secondteam by the coaches and media.

The coaches gave sophomore quarterback Connor Cook some love by naming him to the second-team, while the media gave sophomore center Jack Allen secondteam honors.

MSU is set to face Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship this weekend.

Matt Sheehan

2 | T he Stat e N e ws | T U ES day, de cemb e r 3 , 201 3 | state n e ws.com

Police briefs Murder-suicide investigated East Lansing police are investigating a murder-suicide that occurred this weekend.

East Lansing residents 91-year-old Alfred Clausen and 91-year-old Jean Clausen were found dead Sunday when police were dispatched to their home.

The initial investigation indicated that Alfred Clausen shot his wife Jean Clausen and then shot himself.

There was a note left at the scene.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call East Lansing police Det. Dan Brown at (517) 319-6811.

Roberts to face pretrial The man accused of attacking an MSU student will face his pretrial Tuesday morning.

East Lansing resident Samuel Roberts was arrested on Oct. 19 for allegedly holding his ex-girlfriend, an MSU student, in his apartment at knifepoint against her will.

He faces multiple charges.

That night, Roberts had gotten into an argument with the victim about their past relationship when he became violent, threatening to kill himself and harm her.

MSU’s official faculty and student search database lists both Roberts and the victim as students. Roberts’s preliminary exam will follow on Friday.

KATIE ABDILLA

Three-day forecast

Trends

Numerous factors, including economics and academic competition, drive Chinese student enrollment at MSU from page one

Including graduate programs, students from China now make up 61.2 percent of overall international enrollment, compared to Michigan’s statewide average of 34.2 percent.

Comparatively, the University of Michigan saw close to a four-fold increase of about 1,600 students over the same ten-year period, while MSU’s Chinese population increased eight-fold.

However, U-M’s admissions standards are more selective.

Patricia Croom, associate director for international admissions for the university, said MSU is involved only in “minimal recruitment” in China, raising questions about what makes MSU especially appealing to Chinese students looking abroad.

Rahul Choudaha, director of research at World Education Services , a non-profit organization that analyzes international education trends, led research at

BASKETBALL

Izzo says week with huge football and basketball games is “special” for the university community and athletics from page one

Tuesday Rainy High: 42° Low: 40°

Wednesday Partly Cloudy High: 48° Low: 32°

just gotten ratcheted up. I love what (MSU football coach) Mark (Dantonio) has done. He was the one that gave me all the credit early that we were their role model, now they’re becoming our role model.”

Izzo and the men’s basketball team will all travel to Indiana to cheer the Spartans toward the Rose Bowl.

On the basketball court, it’s been another crazy season, with upsets galore and ebbs and flows in the Top 25.

“I think, like everybody, I’m almost confused on how college basketball is going right now,” Izzo said.

WES that sorted the types of students going abroad into four categories.

“We identified Chinese as more likely to be ‘explorers,’ which means students with high financial resources but low academic preparedness,” he said. “That is also the segment of students who typically bypass the national entrance exam, (students) call it Gaokao, with the very clear intention that they have the financial resources to directly go abroad to study.”

Peter Briggs, director of OISS, said Indiana University and Ohio State University, institutions with rankings and admissions rates closer to MSU’s, also underwent similar increases in Chinese enrollment.

Unmet demand China, as an emerging economic superpower, has seen the percentage of college-age individuals in higher education increase from 1.4 percent in 1978 to more than 20 percent in the 21st century, MSU economics professor Lisa Cook said.

“Within 20 years, (the Chinese government) lifted 200 million people out of poverty,” Cook said. “It’s continuing on that trajectory.”

Cook said the stream of students leaving the country represents an effort by China to educate students that their own institutions don’t have the capacity to enroll.

The Spartans got all but two first-place votes in the most recent college basketball poll, and remain on top for the third straight week.

Unranked North Carolina is heading in the opposite direction.

After losing to Belmont, the Tar Heels upset defending national champion Louisville, but then lost to UAB on Sunday.

They’re also without guards P.J. Hairston and Leslie McDonald because of suspensions, but even so, Izzo said there is enough talent on the squad that the Spartans need to look out for.

“North Carolina is a funny team,” he said. “They’re missing Hairston, a great shooter, but they’ve still got five or six McDonald’s All‑Americans on that team.”

He added that he has video of both players, and if they’re reinstated before the game, MSU will

Chinese parents are deciding earlier to prepare their child for higher education in the United States with things like studying English, Croom said. She said the trend is on the rise in part because of increasingly intense competition.

“The spaces in higher-ranked, more highly respected Chinese universities are limited,” Croom said. “It’s sort of viewed that if you can get into the top universities in China, that’s great.

If you can’t, the next choice is to come to the United States.”

Space at Chinese universities “is just insufficient to meet the needs of the country,” Briggs said. The prestige of U.S. institutions provides significant appeal.

“The U.S. has the best higher education system in the world and I think it’s pretty well known,” he said.

Rankings count During his college search, computer science sophomore Haiyang Hong compared Chinese and U.S. universities, deciding that the U.S. had a better academic environment.

But when he first heard of MSU, it was in a list of rankings.

“I heard that MSU is in the top 100, so I chose to come here,” Hong said.

Choudaha pointed to two major factors that increase the appeal of U.S. universities to students abroad.

“There is clearly an established rank affinity. When peo-

be prepared.

This is the first time MSU has sat at the top of the polls for three weeks in a row, and more impressive was that they sailed to a 98-65 win against Mount St. Mary’s Friday afternoon without their leading scorer Gary Harris, who was out with an ankle injury.

Izzo said Harris hasn’t done a thing for the last few days except rehab, but he’ll get back into the swing of things sooner than later.

“Will he play Wednesday? I’m 99 percent sure he will,” Izzo said.

According to Izzo, Harris is a game-changer on the offensive end of the floor, and can run in transition better than anyone on the team.

When Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer was at Florida, he would get calls from Izzo trying to figure out how he was winning so much.

Continued ple are looking to study abroad, there is a clear ranking aspiration that a lot of Chinese families want to go after, and that’s where MSU of course ranks higher — it has a degree of reputation and a diversity of programs it offers.”

The second part, he said, is social networks or the influence of where their friends choose to enroll.

Hong said last year, friends in China asked him about MSU, looking for advice about where to attend.

Hong said he lauded the university, praising the friendliness of the students and the university’s international perspective.

They’re now freshmen.

Supply chain management junior Ge Li said after she applied to her top schools, she looked at online rankings for schools that would accept her test scores and found MSU. Of the three schools she applied to, she was accepted to two.

In the end, MSU had the better ranking and weather more like her hometown, Beijing.

“My family and I think that the universities in China are less stressful,” Li said. “We don’t have to do much work and the materials that we learn wouldn’t be very useful when we go to work in the future.”

There won’t be any conversations like that this week, but for a guy who has been at MSU for more than 20 years and loves both football and basketball, this will be a month to remember.

“It is a special week,” Izzo said.

“When you get to play both (Kentucky and North Carolina) in the first seven, eight games, at home, and then your football team is preparing for arguably one of the greatest football games played here in 40 or 50 years it’s banner.”

DEBT

Graduate students face more difficulties because of their independence and loan qualifications from page one

ate and professional students also don’t have many options when it comes to grants and scholarships.

Unlike undergraduate st udents, g raduate and professional students don’t have access to federal grant programs, said Val Meyers, associate director of the MSU Office of Financial Aid. Meyers said the main reason behind this is that Congress’s main priority is to get more students to get an undergraduate degree.

She said graduate students have a higher limit when it comes to aggregate loans, because it includes totals for the loans they took out for their undergraduate studies.

She also said since graduate students are considered independent, their parents cannot take out a Direct PLUS Loan for their education.

Quiroga said graduate student debt is something that is not discussed often, adding that some graduate and professional students do not realize the amount of debt they have until after the graduate.

Fletcher said it is likely that COGS would formulate a formal resolution or position statement concerning the issue, in addition to ongoing discussions the graduate student government is having with university administration.

Crossword

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

VOL . 104 | NO. 162

Thursday Cloudy High: 36° Low: 25°

Index Campus+city 3 Opinion 4 Features 5 Sports 6 Classifieds 5

Level: 1

2

3 4

editorial staff (517) 432-3070 Editor in chief Ian Kullgren managing editor Beau Hayhoe DIGITAL managing editor Darcie Moran Design editor Becca Guajardo PHOTO EDITOR Julia Nagy ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Danyelle Morrow Opinion editor Summer Ballentine campus EDITOR Robert Bondy City Editor Lauren Gibbons sports editor Matt Sheehan Features editor Isabella Shaya nn

Professional staff General Manager Marty Sturgeon, (517) 432-3000 Editorial adviser Omar Sofradzija, (517) 432-3070 CREATIVE adviser Travis Ricks, (517) 432-3004 Web adviser Mike Joseph, (517) 432-3014

nn

Corrections If you notice an error, please contact Managing Editor Beau Hayhoe at (517) 432-3070 or by email at feedback@statenews.com. nn

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, Monday through Friday during fall, spring and select days during summer semesters. A special Welcome Week edition is published in August.

Across

Subscription rates: $5 per semester on campus; $125 a year, $75 for one fall or spring semester, $60 for summer semester by mail anywhere in the continental United States. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the MSU community.

Additional copies $0.75 at the business office only.

State News Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Ave. during business hours.

to contact the state news (517) 432-3000 For distribution/circulation questions, email distribution@ statenews.com

Photo adviser Robert Hendricks, (517) 432-3013

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Business Manager Kathy Daugherty, (517) 432-3000

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advertising adviser Colleen Curran, (517) 432-3016

(517) 432-3010

Copyright © 2013 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich. n n

M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Advertising manager Brandon Ventimiglia

12/3/13

SOLUTION TO MONDAY’S PUZZLE

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit

www.sudoku.org.uk © 2013 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

1 Cathedral area 5 Tons 10 Reps: Abbr.

14 Garden center supply 15 Dot in the ocean 16 Circus performer?

17 Tune 18 Thin, decorative metal 20 What a 63-Across may speak 21 The last Mrs. Chaplin 22 Grand Rapids-toDetroit dir.

23 Gets married 27 This, to Michelle 28 Morose 29 Geometric suffix 30 Like potato chips 32 Lulus 36 Mass transit carrier 37 Dangerous things to risk 39 Retirement destination?

40 Wimps 41 Underworld group 43 Printer’s widths 44 Cookie container 47 Renoir output 48 Equestrian’s supply box 53 Spoil 54 Alabama, but not Kansas?

55 “Picnic” playwright 56 One, to one, e.g.

60 “Ain’t Misbehavin’” Tony winner Carter

61 Throw hard 62 Hero’s quality 63 Hebrides native 64 Desires 65 Burning desire?

66 Chop __: Chinese American dish

Down

1 Valuables 2 Illinois city that symbolizes Middle America 3 Had a hunch 4 Barely beats 5 Member of the fam 6 CBS drama with two spin-offs 7 “Everything’s fine” 8 Exeter’s county 9 Dictation whiz 10 The K.C. Chiefs represented it in Super Bowl I 11 High school choral group 12 Dollhouse cups, saucers, etc.

13 Protected condition 19 Pied Piper followers 24 End-of-the-workweek cry 25 Pebble Beach’s 18 26 China’s Zhou __ 31 SALT concerns 32 “__ say something wrong?”

33 Elected ones 34 ‘50s automotive failure 35 Goo

37 There’s a lane for one at many intersections 38 Superlative suffix 39 Like Bach’s music 41 Boggy 42 Solar system sci.

44 Alaskan capital 45 “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” director 46 “I Believe I Can Fly” singer 49 Stadium 50 More desperate, as circumstances 51 Some portals 52 Adornments for noses and toes 57 Gore and Green 58 Lacto-__ vegetarian 59 Years in a decade

Get the solutions at

statenews.com/puzzles

stat ene ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | t u es day, decemb er 3, 2013 |

Campus+city

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

politics

Pro-life group sends petition on abortion insurance to legislature

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

A petition that would require women to purchase health insurance for abortions could soon head to the state legislature.

Legislators have 40 days to act on the petition, which potentially could amend available coverage through the Affordable Care Act in Michigan, which would require women to pay an optional rider ahead of time for abortion coverage, including instances of rape, incest and unwanted pregnancies.

Pro-life organization Right to Life of Michigan garnered nearly 300,000 valid signatures for the petition. The petition was approved by Michigan’s Board of State Canvassers on Monday.

Because the initiative is a petition signed by residents, it would not need approval from Gov. Rick Snyder to become a law if it earns a majority vote on the measure in the House and Senate.

Genevieve Marnon, the organization’s public affairs associate, said the group’s primary frustration with abortion coverage comes not just from the abortions themselves, but who will pay for them.

“People in Michigan don’t necessarily feel that it’s appropriate to pay for abortions with their tax

a passion for

dollars,” Marnon said.

Marie Rose, the president of MSU’s Students for Choice, said the initiative could make it difficult for women, especially students, to afford an abortion.

“The bill in itself really just limits coverage for abortion, including cases of rape, incest or saving the life of the mother,” Rose said.

“Nobody plans for an unplanned pregnancy. It’s really sad that we have to fight this battle.”

Lisa Jankowski, the recruitment chair for MSU College Republicans and president of MSU Students for Life, said it’s worth it to protect the right to opt out.

“Insurance premiums will go up for college students,” Jankowski said. “It’s going to affect us the most because chances are college students do want the extra rider in their health care plan. ... It’s our constitutional right to be able to opt out of something like this.”

Robert McCann, spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, said the initiative could bring uncomfortable conversations into family life.

“It’s not just about planning for unplanned pregnancy,” McCann said. “Parents may have to sit and make a decision to get rape insurance for their daughter. The idea that they should be forced to have that conversation is just mind-boggling.”

3

art

Kresge Art Store manager Casey Sorrow, left, and art education instructor Jill McKillips, right, look at portraits of kids in entertaining costumes together on Monday at the Kresge Art Store, located inside of the Kresge Art Center. After graduating from MSU in 2000, Sorrow began his career as a cartoonist, illustrator and printmaker, but is now the manager of the Kresge Art Store. The store sells a variety of art supplies and materials — including canvases, brushes, art prints and art-themed accessories — as well as snacks and coffee. It is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Brian Palmer/The State News

l i t e r at u r e

wellness

JRN students help write int’l student guide Student Health Services begins handing out flu prevention packs

By April Jones

ajones@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

MSU journalism students have created a book to help answer some of the questions international students have once they arrive on the banks of the Red Cedar River.

For the past semester, MSU journalism students in JRN 492, Seminar in Journalism, have been working to help generate conversations among the growing crowd of international students. Their book, called ‘100 Questions and Answers about Americans,’ is available online for purchase.

Journalism professor Joe Grimm started the course last spring and said the course was designed with the goal of generating conversation between different cultures. He said students sometimes have questions about different cultures, but often, they are too embarrassed to ask.

Every semester, the topic of the guide changes — this semester, the focus was to help international students learn more about Americans, covering topics of race, religion, social behavior, slang, idioms and language.

“It’s not easy to go to college in a different country, and wouldn’t it be nice to under-

stand how things get done?”

Grimm said.

According to the 2013 Open Doors report from the Office for International Students and Scholars, there are roughly 7,000 international students who attend MSU, and the numbers are increasing every year.

To find out which questions and answers to publish, students in Grimm’s class asked international students what they wanted to know about the U.S. The questions were asked from about 50 students who came to MSU from countries as varied as China, South Korea, Japan, Estonia, Ghana and Nigeria.

Journalism junior Aaron Jordan returned to take the course for a second time after helping publish the guide about Indian Americans.

He said he had a really interesting experience.

“Last year, it was interesting learning about (Indian-American) culture because you had to do a lot of research,” Jordan said. “This year, it made me stop and think about our culture in a way we haven’t done before.”

The guide is meant as an eyeopener for international students to see that MSU’s domestic students are not as scary or intimated as often portrayed, said journalism junior Marlee

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

COURTesY of JOE GRIMM

Delaney, who served as one of the editors in the class.

The guide took 70 days to complete and was officially put up for sale a few weeks ago on Amazon, Grimm said. The guide costs $9.95.

To thank the international students who helped, there will be a launch party Friday in the lower level of McDonel Hall during the weekly coffee hour put on by the Office for International Students and Scholars.

“All we’re trying to do is get people to start conversations with people,” Grimm said. “It’s not like you read the guide and you’ll have all the answers or anything, it’s just a start.”

Students looking to stay healthy through the end of the semester can find new resources in their dorms, neighborhood clinics and recreational sports facilities.

MSU Student Health Services has begun to distribute 20,000 Cold and Flu Packs throughout campus, communications manager Kathi Braunlich said.

Twelve thousand packs will be in the residence halls and 8,000 will be distributed to the neighborhood clinics, Olin Health Center and IM Fitness Centers.

Each pack contains thermometers, cough drops, tissues, disinfectant wipes and information packets.

The packs are coordinated by Recreational Sports and Fitness Services, Residential Education and Housing Services, Student Health Services and Residence Halls Association.

Student Health Services Educational Program Coordinator Jonathan Kermiet said the packs have been popular, but only in the past few

years have they been distributed on such a large scale.

“We want to get the packs in students’ hands not only for self-care, but so they can have the information as well,” Kermiet said. “Students should know about flu symptoms and how to distinguish them from more serious illnesses like meningitis.”

The packs have been distributed to RAs to give to residents, Kermiet said. The packs will be available at the front desks of the IM facilities today.

“If and when the flu hits in one of the halls, it can spread very quickly,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to avoid.”

According to National College Health Assessment data, 50 percent of students reported last year that they experienced a cold or flu at least once, and 16 percent of students reported that the cold or flu affected their academic success.

But the rates of self-reported cold and flu and its academic impact have declined since 2010, while self-reported flu vaccination rates have risen, MSU Coordinator of Health Education Dennis Martell said.

“We believe some of this decline in self-reported cold and flu rates is due to our collaborative efforts to equip students with

information and support so they can stay healthy,” Martell said.

More flu shots also are available in neighborhood clinics throughout campus, Kermiet said.

Guidelines for Cold and Flu Prevention

1. Get a flu shot — at MSU, they are available through Student Health Services.

2. Avoid close contact with people who already are sick.

3. Stay home from class, work or social outings if you’re sick.

4. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.

5. Wash your hands thoroughly, and often.

6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth — touching these places is one of the easiest ways to spread germs.

7. Practice good health habits to build up your immune system: be physically active, get sleep, eat nutritious food and drink plenty of fluids.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

legislators working to let zoos breed predatory animals

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

A bipartisan group of state legislators are at tempting to rework an act that makes Michigan the only state in the nation disallowed from breeding large predators.

Under Michigan’s current Large Carnivore Act passed 13 years ago, certified zoos technically don’t have the authorization to breed animals such as tigers, lions and snow leopards, much to the ire of zoo officials and animal lovers.

Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansi ng, a nd ot her members of the House Capitol Caucus a r e s p e a rhe ad i n g a bi l l to amend the act and allow certified zoos to breed the animals.

Schor said lawmakers “forgot” to add an exemption for zoos when they initially passed the act.

T h e bi l l wou ld a f f e c t Potter Park Zoo, Detroit Zoo, John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids and Binder Park Zoo in Bat-

“Left in effect, the zoos of Michigan would soon have no big cats to exhibit to the public.”

Richard Snider, zoology professor

tle Creek.

Potter Park’s inability to participate in species revival programs is beginning to cripple the zoo’s carnivore population as some of the animals approach infertility, said Tara Harrison, director of animal health at Potter Park Zoo and an MSU graduate.

“We may not run out of tigers and lions, but you may never see a cub again,” Harrison said.

Many Michigan zoos want to trade big cats with zoos in other states, but to do that effectively, they have to be able to breed them on their own, said Richard Snider, a zoology professor.

“Left in effect, the zoos of Michigan would soon have no big cats to exhibit to the public,” Snider said. “Now what would that look like? Tell some kid in Detroit that the zoo does

not have any big cats to see.”

Schor said he hopes to correct the oversight, hailing the Potter Park Zoo as an important part of Lansing’s economy.

Rep. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, said lawmakers never had the intent to permit zoos from breeding them; it was an overlooked and unintended consequence.

Singh said a number of rep-

resentatives from the state’s zo os — Pot te r Pa rk a nd the Detroit Zoo included — spoke out about the oversight, asking for reform. “ T hey want to have the ability within their own institution to breed them,” Singh said. “There wasn’t an intent to prohibit that.”

So far, politicians on both sides of the aisle are backing the bill, with Reps. Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, and Tom Leonard, R-Dewitt Township, joining several Democratic representatives.

“Accredited facilities participating in scientifically-based

FULL COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday, Dec. 4 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

breedi ng prog ra m s st a nd to lose their large carnivores to zoos in other states if we don’t take action here,” Schor said in a statement.

“We don’t want oversight by a previous legislature to threaten the ability of our zoos to host the animals most popular with zoo visitors.”

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4 | Th e Stat e N e ws | t ue sday, d ecem be r 3 , 201 3 | state n e ws.com

Opinion

Featured blog Quality of life a lottery

Ou r voice | E ditorial

“Don’t be fooled into thinking life in the U.S. is the only way. Ifitweremyhome.com shows comparisons between countries, and a quick search shows stark differences between countries I considered America’s sisters.”

abortions should be covered by insurance EDITORIAL BOARD Ian Kullgren editor in chief Summer Ballentine Opinion editor Celeste Bott staff representative Anya Rath minority representative

I

nsurance coverage for some abortions, including in cases of rape or incest, is a simple majority vote away from being nixed in Michigan.

The Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act would force women to buy additional insurance riders to cover abortions, not including life-threatening pregnancies or treatment for miscarriages.

Abortions for survivors of rape or incest would not be covered under basic insurance.

The movement is led by the No Taxes For Abortion Insurance committee of Right to Life of Michigan, an anti-abortion group. A majority vote by the Michigan legislature is all it will

— Summer Ballentine, State News opinion editor

take to approve the act; it won’t even need a ing this act the gosignature from Gov. Rick Snyder, who last year ahead would come at vetoed a bill to prohibit Blue Cross Blue Shield the expense of surviof Michigan from including abortion in general vors of rape and incest. health coverage despite approving several other The fact that the proposed bills restricting abortion clinics and physicians. legislation qualifies aborMore than 315,000 Michigan signatures, out tions by rape and incest surviof which nearly 300,000 were found valid by vors as “elective” is insulting and poor public policy. Surthe Michigan Board of State Canvivors should have the right to vassers, expressed outcry via a It’s a political play, choose whether to carry a child, petition over paying for some- unfortunately at the and additional financial hurdles thing they don’t believe in. Still, will make having an abortion that does not give lawmakers the expense of women less accessible. right to make it increasingly dif- and in particular, Additionally, women who ficult to get an abortion for womsurvivors of rape and already are pregnant would not en who need it most. Slipping be able to purchase the extra this through the political pro- incest. coverage, according to a Detroit cess is an underhanded attempt Free Press report. No one ever

by Right to Life of Michigan to plans or expects to be raped, especially by a fammake this seem like the will of the people.

While it is questionable that the Affordable ily member. Assuming women can predict that Care Act forces some taxpayers to pay for pro- they will need an abortion later in life because of cedures that go against their religious beliefs, sexual assault, or for any other reason, is offenincluding abortion in non-life threatening cas- sive to say the least. It’s hard to imagine many es, pandering to the extreme beliefs by giv- women will feel the need to buy a rider because

Comments from readers

Read the rest online at statenews.com/blog.

of a potential unplanned pregnancy, which will undermine the point of providing health coverage for abortions in the first place.

The Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act also threatens to marginalize poor women — the ones who might need financial assistance for abortions most. The extra cost might be too much, or again might seem like an unnecessary expense.

Regardless of whether this legislation is right or not, it’s unfair for such a controversial topic to be decided by just the state legislature. It’s a political play, unfortunately at the expense of women and in particular, survivors of rape and incest.

Just so you know

nn

“Facilities VP nom. will have large shoes to fill”

JUST SO YOU KNOW monday’s poll results

“Let’s hope he makes the right choice and privitizes alot of the services currently kept in house. There’s no reason we need to hire blue collar workers at a institution of higher learning.”

Marcia, Nov. 27

Today’s state news poll

No 30% None 74%

Would you rather have the “S” or a helmet on MSU license plates?

One 23%

Helmet 40% 0

“This is one of the most ridiculous comments I’ve seen made on an article in the State News, and that is saying a lot! Those ‘blue collar’ workers are a huge part of what makes this institution of higher learning function. “

“S” 60%

10

20

30 40 PERCENT

50

60

Should women pay separately for abortion insurance?

To vote, visit statenews.com.

Total votes: 105 as of 5 p.m. Monday

(comment continued online) editorial cartoonist

Whatever, Nov. 28

“Andrew Maxwell’s brother displeased over lack of playing time Saturday”

brandon hankins bhankins@statenews.com

“Adam obviously regretted the tweet and removed it. I personally am proud of how this team has come together with cook and the way maxwell can be gracious and do his part as second string. Adam is of course going to be biased and hope for his brother to get the spotlight for a little, but the more important part is how andrew has acted despite his lack of playing time.”

Roses or Bust, Dec. 2

To share your thoughts on this story or any other stories, visit statenews.com.

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

opinion column

Low minimum wage hits close to home

M

ost of us think of McDonald’s workers as high schoolers flipping burgers to pay for gas. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case anymore.

About 40 percent of fast-food workers are 25 or older, a few years older than most college students, according to the National Employment Law Project. And $7.40 an hour isn’t enough.

Support for increasing the minimum wage, particularly among fastfood workers, has spread to major cities across the country. McDonald’s workers in Detroit went on strike this August, and about 100 workers picketed outside a Sterling Heights Walmart on Friday, according to media reports.

Waves of protests in Michigan and across the country for a higher minimum wage aren’t populated by students still waiting for a high school diploma. People our age, and our parents’ age, are out there suffering.

After the economy started a terrifying decline that still is wreaking hav-

chances are one of your friends won’t. oc, minimum-wage jobs increasingA good friend of mine picked up a secly became the only option for peoond job in the service industry to pay ple scraping to get by. That could be back his student loans, and even then a recent college graduate who hasn’t things were tight. managed to land on My mom, a highly their feet yet, or it opinion editor educated college gradcould be a parent uate, re-entered the laid-off from Genjob force at just the eral Motors searchwrong time and had ing for a way to pay to compete with high their monthly bills. schoolers for work Maybe it’s the stupaying just above mindent sitting next imum wage. If not for to you in econommyself, I wish for her ics, forced to work that there were more two jobs to make it Summer Ballentine sballentine@statenews.com options out there to through school. make a livable wage.

Peter Ruark, Especially when top executives senior policy analyst for the Michigan League for Public Policy, or MLPP, told are making more and more money, it’s pretty embarrassing that The State News in a previous interworkers often have to work at view that he has a hunch young peoleast two jobs to get by, and someple entering the workforce are hit times even that isn’t enough. particularly hard by shoddy wages.

Republicans warn raising the Anyone who doesn’t have a job minimum wage might mean lined up right after college should be a freeze on hiring or increasat least a little concerned about this. ing costs for consumers.

If you manage to find a decent payBumping up minimum wage to $15 ing full-time job right out of school,

an hour could take things a step too far and create a jolting shock to Michigan’s economy, but a few bucks more is reasonable, especially considering an MLPP report showed most residents make less than they did 40 years ago because of inflation. Increasing wages might mean a strain either to consumers or to companies’ bottom lines, but the alternative is continuing to pay a pittance to people to maintain a profit.

Instead of blaming fast-food and minimum-wage workers for “not working hard enough” or for not being educated enough to land a better job, we need to realize that many of the people who barely can afford to pay rent with a McDonald’s paycheck are our friends and family. They deserve better than sleepless nights spent working a second shift and long hours worked for barely any money at all.

I’m not asking for a giant leap to $15 an hour for Michigan workers, but we need to step up and support a little extra help for those who need it most.

Summer Ballentine is the State News opinion editor. Reach her at sballentine@statenews.com.

5 | Th e Stat e N e ws | t u esday, De cem be r 3 , 201 3

staten e ws.com

Features

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

Suiting up for winter’s chill

TE L E V I S I ON

ALUMNI CREATE PILOT SERIES ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN LIFE

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

Aiming to create a series reflective of black families in America, Emerald Sky Performance Arts is airing the pilot of “The 10th” Jan. 2 in the Royal Oak Main Art Theatre.

The drama contains around a dozen MSU alumni involved in everything from producing and writing the pilot to playing roles in it.

The series tells the story of four African-American families who start out living in urban Detroit, and after finding success, move to suburban Birmingham, Mich.

Throughout the series the families face tragedy, betrayal and other tribulations while behind the white picket fences of suburbia.

“This isn’t ‘The Cosby Show,’” casting director and MSU alumnus Shaun Whitehead said. “It differs because it doesn’t just show the positives of a successful black family, it shows the struggle that the family had to go through.”

Around a dozen MSU alumni were involved in producing, writing and acting in the pilot series, “The 10th” Whitehead, who graduated from MSU in 2011 with a political theory and constitutional democracy degree, said the series is based on the W.E.B. Du Bois’ 1903 theory The Talented Tenth, which states that the most prestigious upper 10 percent of the race must guide the mass, or lower 90 percent, toward social and economic prosperity.

“To take it now in 2014, more than 100 years later and implement it in a Detroit-made drama that exemplifies his story from over a century ago, is kind of remarkable,” Whitehead said.

Executive producer and writer Barika Pace, who graduated from MSU with a degree in international relations in 1997, said when casting for the play they sought out the best talent in Michigan, and plenty happened to be from MSU. “We wanted talented folks that would really breathe life into these fictional characters,” Pace said. “People who were truthful, that people could eas-

Survive Michigan weather using this guide to winter clothing essentials

W

“It shows that it’s not easy to be successful ... People expect things from you, you go through things, it’s a struggle. If you look at any other positive AfricanAmerican TV show, none of them do that.”

1. A thick coat A good coat is the most important thing any student on this campus can own. While down stuffing has the potential of shedding on clothes, it keeps its owner undeniably warm.

Good material for winter coats are nylon, wool and leather. Additionally, a hood on the coat is beneficial when trying to stay warm.

1.

that can be used with touch screens on smart phones.

4. Ear muffs or a winter hat

For people with coats that lack hoods, ear muffs or a winter hat are necessary to keep ears warm. Winter hats, ear muffs and even thick headbands come in a vast variety of styles that are sure to satisfy anyone’s tastes.

8.

6.

5. Winter boots

3. Gloves Sometimes, it’s necessary to carry things in the cold and pockets will do no good. To keep your hands from turning into popsicles, invest in a good pair of gloves. There also are brands that sell gloves

Having a thick pair of socks goes hand-in-hand with wearing warm boots. A good option are wool socks, but make sure they are not so thick that they don’t fit in the boot.

Scarves do not just have to be fashion accessories — a scarf is a good way to cover up exposed necks and stay snug during the colder months.

3.

A pair of boots with a warm lining can go a long way in keeping feet toasty. For students, it is important to stay warm and comfortable while walking around campus to classes. Additionally, it is best to have a pair of boots when sloshing through snow .

2. A scarf

6. Thick socks

5.

Julia Nagy/The State News

7. Sweaters/layers

8. Hand warmers

A T-shirt under that thick coat is not going to cut it. It is essential to have sweaters and layers on hand to actively combat the cold weather.

These layers could be thermal shirts or leggings.

Hand warmers are airactivated heat packs that can fit inside pockets. For anyone who spends a significant amount of time outside, these are a great way to have a safe and concentrated heat source.

ST Y L E F I L E

purse, you are sure to look great and have a successful day.

Many oversized tote bags can be found for a good price and in fun styles at stores such as Target or Urban Outfitters.

The only bad thing about big purses is that items placed inside can get lost in the clutter.

For a night out, a cross-body chain clutch is a safe option.

The good thing about this purse is that it can hold what you need, such as your phone, ID and a few dollars for a cab ride home while not being too intrusive.

statenews.com ENTE R TA I NMENT

JOE JONAS EXPOSES DISNEY

Regarded as the ‘bad boy’ member of the Jonas Brothers band, Joe Jonas was the heartthrob of countless teenaged girls.

But, he recently shattered many illusions about his life that had been painted during his years of fame.

Jonas, a singer and actor who rose to prominence through his work with Disney, recently gave a tell-all interview that will

be published in the Dec. 9 issue of New York Magazine.

The interview was not a glittery celebration of fame.

Rather, it delved into Disney’s presence as a manipulative machine, the pressures placed on the three brothers and much more. Jonas, 24, talked about his love life, past relationships with fans and an explanation of the promise rings that he and his brothers were so known for — coupled with admitting that he lost his virginity at age 20. Furthermore, he discussed smoking weed for the first time.

Anya Rath

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BY E-MAIL classads@statenews.com ONLINE www.statenews.com/classifieds OFFICE HOURS 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

2.

— Anya Rath, The State News

ily identify with, who are sincere and could bring the sincerity of the characters to the screen.”

Pace, who wrote 15 episodes for the series, said Emerald Sky Performance Arts is looking to bring the show to network television in the summer of 2014.

In the past week, Whitehead said the series debut, which has almost sold out at the 500-person Royal Oak, Mich. venue, will be something he expects people will really enjoy because it’s a story that has never been told.

“It shows that it’s not easy to be successful,” Whitehead said.

“People expect things from you, you go through things, it’s a struggle. If you look at any other positive African-American TV show, none of them do that.”

Although the drama follows four African-American families, Pace said she wants viewers to understand it’s meant to exemplify all Americans seeking the American dream and hopes the audience will be able to see it in that light.

“It’s told in a way where people grasp the dichotomies there between American individualism and the pressures people face to really contribute back to their communities,” Pace said.

Actress Delaney Baynham II, who attended MSU and plays Nia Landon in the pilot, the wife of sports talk show host David Landon, said she was able to easily fall into her character because she was relatable — as is the rest of the series.

“It’s going to be natural for people to watch,” Baynham said. “The series shows a struggle you normally wouldn’t get to see that some will be able to relate to, while others will be sympathetic for even if they can’t relate.”

TO PLACE AN AD …

7.

inter’s officially has set in and only plans to get worse. For students who need to walk the span of campus to and from class, it is necessary to cover up to stay warm and keep frostbite at bay. Here are some winter clothing essentials that anyone facing Michigan’s brutal winters should keep in their closet.

Shaun Whitehead, casting director and MSU alumnus

Classified

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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

Picking the perfect purse With the overwhelming number of different styles and colors of purses available, women can find a purse for almost every occasion.

While some purses can last a long time and hold everything you own, remember that not all purses are appropriate for every occasion and should be switched out from time to time.

Work or walking around campus can sometimes be a pain, but if you put all your needed items in an oversized

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

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

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.

Christine LaRouere

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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.

Employment

Employment

Employment

Apts. For Rent

Apts. For Rent

Houses/Rent

ALL LEADERS- Public TV & Radio need you.

Raise money for NonProfits, build resume.

Earn $8-12/hr, free parking near MSU. Call 3321501 for an interview today!

MARKETING INTERNS needed at The State News for spring semester 2014. Help plan events and promote student readership. Must be able to develop and implement creative, strategic marketing plans.

Must be a full-time undergraduate MSU student capable of working 10 hrs/wk. All internships are for class credit and last one semester. If interested, please submit a resume and cover letter to kristen.slater@ statenews.com by 5pm on December 4.

RECEPTIONIST FOR therapy office, Monday 9-5. Occasionally 1/2 day extra. Ability to multi-task needed. $9/hr. Previous exp preferred. Leave name, phone #, previous exp. and GPA at 517-3476706, Ext. 11.

RETAIL SALES Clerk Delphi Glass p/t includes weekends. Apply @ 3380 E. Jolly Rd. 394-4685 or jobs@delphiglass.com STUDENT BOOK store P/T Christmas holiday starting early Dec and Spring semester starting Jan 3. Apply in person. Ask for Mike. 421 E Grand River.

TOW TRUCK driver/ service station attendant. No exp. needed, will train. Must be local.

Good driving record req.

Must apply in person to H and H Mobil. At the corner of Hagadorn and Haslett.

3312 STONELEIGH Dr. $600/ mo. All util included. Grad student preferred. 517-393-5161 4 BDRM Apt - Available Fall ‘14. Completely remodeled. In unit washer + dryer. 1 block from campus. Cedar Street Apts - 517-507-0081. dtnmgt.com AVAIL AUG ‘14 Studio Apartments. Heat/water inc. Downtown EL, Top cond. Check out our visual tours at hudginsrealty.com Call 517-5750008, no pets.

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

DIRECT CARE work w/ 40 yr old male involving OT, PT + speech. Perfect for those interested in medicine. Please call 517-374-7670 DIRECT CARE worker.

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HOLIDAY HELP, $15.50 base-appt, 1-3 wk work program avail. May continue in 2013. Flex sched. Apply at winterbreakwork.com or 517333-1700

P/T CASHIER position.

Individuals that live in the E.L. area will be considered. Great student job. Flex hrs + good pay to the right candidate.

Includes weekends.

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Apts. For Rent 3 BDRMS, 2 full bath, lic for 3. Walk to class on Grand River, next to campus. Washer + dryer. Parking included!

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8 — Today could mark the beginning of something wonderful. Push beyond old limits. Your brave acts may also push someone else’s buttons. Understand their point of view and stay respectful.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7 — From the ashes, the phoenix rises. New opportunities open up in your education. Do the homework to succeed. You have the resources to try something you’ve always wanted to do.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is an 8 — Tackle a renovation or makeover project. Do what you promised, even if it seems impossible. A friend or partner would love to tell you how. Gather up info and customize to suit.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 9 — Show your appreciation to someone. Start a new phase this week by completing an old one. Get rid of the dead wood and discover forgotten treasures. Clean, sort and organize. Connect with neighbors.

Allow yourself a reward.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7 — Get into the competition. You’re learning quickly. Write down what a wealthy, older person told you.

Respect the advice you receive.

Turn down an expensive proposition, though. Be humble, as well, and you’ll score. You’re radiant.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 6 — Keep long-term goals in mind.

Each ending allows a new beginning. Your team is making advances quickly, and your applause is greatly appreciated. Sing out praises!

You’re respected for your common sense. Soak in the love.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 7 — Your mate helps you get your message out. Give a final mighty push. Discover another fringe benefit. You’re determined to succeed; keep the momentum going and victory is natural. Celebrate, then get right back to it.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 9 — You want to be finished. Do the research so you’ll know the best path. You’re making money for others. Your mind is clear, and a shift in priorities arises. Lead your team to victory. Archive what worked.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 9 — A dream reveals a completion and a new beginning. Work a little magic; believe you will succeed, even without proof. The pressure’s on to finish up, and there’s a call to action. Revise your routine. Keep sharing ideas.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 6 — True love’s worth the cost.

Compromise and take action. Begin a new course of study, or pursue a passion. New skills look good on you.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7 — You’ve been contemplating the future. List desired domestic improvements; the odds are good to accomplish them. Don’t let a grumpy mood spoil the moment.

Push to finish a job.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7 — Bring out your secret power.

Talk about how it can be applied to a work project for long-lasting results. You’re learning as you go along, and a brilliant discovery changes the game.

Sports women’s basketball

Merchant: ‘It’s not going to get any easier, that’s for sure’

By Derek Blalock dblalock@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

In the post game press conference after the No. 21 women’s basketball team’s 81-76 loss to IPFW, head coach Suzy Merchant realized her team has a lot to work on.

The Spartans (5-2 overall) failed to show up defensively, and allowed the Mastodons (4-4) free reign on the perimeter. IPFW shot 56.5 percent (13-23) from beyond the 3-point arc. The loss snapped a five-game win streak for the Spartans It was IPFW’s first-ever win against a Big Ten opponent in 13 opportunities.

After the game, head coach Suzy Merchant said she was once again disappointed by the team’s lack of intensity and leadership especially with two tough ACC matchups looming.

The Spartans face Florida State at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Virginia Tech at 2 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s not going to get any easier, that’s for sure,” Merchant said. “It seems like we’re slow and somewhat disinterested.

We gotta do a better job with that. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and go to work.”

Redshirt freshman guard Aerial Powers and senior forward Annalise Pickrel both agreed that Sunday was a wake up call and the Spartans need to perform much better or this might continue to happen.

Like Merchant, Pickrel said the veterans have yet to display the type of leadership needed for younger members of the team, such as Powers, freshman guard Tori Jankoska and redshirt freshman guard Branndais Agee.

“I think it starts with us

four,” Pickrel said of the veterans such as herself, senior guard Klarissa Bell, junior guard Kiana Johnson and junior for ward Becca Mills. “Just defensively, first and foremost, because we’ve been on the team three years in a row (and they) have been great defensive teams, so I think that we just need to start.

We’ve had (four) games in a row with really bad starts.

It’s just not acceptable, and it’s not going to get us anywhere we need to go.”

Despite the loss, Powers finished with a career-high 28 points and 14 rebounds — her first double-double.

However, she did commit six turnovers. Pickrel finished with 15 points and five rebounds.

Although she didn’t play in the game, junior center Jasmine Hines dressed for the game. Hines has been unable to play so far this season because of a concussion she sustained prior to the season.

Unlike Hines, junior center Madison Williams did not dress for the game, just two games after making her first appearance in two years. Williams left the Temple game last week because she “tweaked” her knee.

Merchant said the MRI came back clear and there was no damage to any ligaments. She said there was a little swelling and Williams will continue to be monitored.

“Her and Jasmine Hines sure would have made a difference (Sunday),” Merchant said. “It’s just so frustrating not having that power-inside game.”

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state n e ws.com | The State N ews | tu esday, D ecemb er 3, 2013 |

#SNDailynumber

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

Wins MSU football’s senior class compiled in the last four years, the most in school history.

then AND NOW

Breaking down the ins and outs of 2011 and 2013 Legends Division champs

Regardless of what happens in Saturday’s Big Ten Championship g ame, No. 10 MSU now can be remembered as the only program with multiple Legends Division titles — the Big Ten is switching to an East-West division alignment next season. Before trying to avenge their 2011 loss in the conference championship at the hands of Wisconsin, the thenNo. 11 Spartans had to take care of Minnesota on senior day.

Now, the sights are set on an undefeated showdown with No. 2 Ohio State.

Check out how both teams compare through the end of the regular season with the Legends Division championship in hand. The differences are obvious, but some of the similarities, especially offensively, are quite surprising.

— Stephen Brooks, The State News

2011 The Record 10-2 overall, 7-1 Big Ten — losses on the road at Notre Dame and Nebraska

Best win

Wisconsin 37-31

2013 the record

Best win

Nebraska 41-28

11-1 overall, 8-0 Big Ten — lone loss came on Sept. 21 at Notre Dame

Leading passer Connor Cook

Leading passer Kirk Cousins

2,119 Yards 17 Touchdowns 4 Interceptions

2,735 Yards 21 Touchdowns 6 Interceptions

Danyelle Morrow/ The State News

Leading Rusher Le’Veon Bell

Leading Rusher Jeremy Langford

Danyelle Morrow/ The State News

794 Yards 10 Touchdowns

1,210 Yards 16 Touchdowns

State news file photos

Leading Receiver B.J. Cunningham

Leading receiver Bennie Fowler

1,125 Yards 9 Touchdowns 30.16 Points per game 383.6 Yards per game

496 Yards 6 Touchdowns 29.4 Points per game 380.2 Yards per game

Danyelle Morrow/The State News

Leading Tackler Max Bullough 80 Tackles 15.42 Points allowed per game 266.66 Yards allowed per game 37 Team sacks

Leading tackler Denicos Allen 83 Tackles 11.8 Points allowed per

game

237.7 Yards allowed per game

29 Team sacks Khoa Nguyen/The State News

volleyball

MSU to play Ohio in NCAA first round

By Omari Sankofa II osankofa@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

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With heady anticipation, the MSU volleyball team sat in the Varsity Alumni ‘S’ Club room of Spartan Stadium, waiting to see ‘Michigan State’ appear on the bracket on the screen.

It was a bit of a wait, but at last, a roar of cheers erupted from the room as MSU appeared under Ohio, the first-round opponent in the NCAA Tournament for the Spartans.

“I’m really excited,” said senior setter Kristen Kelsay.

“You see your name up there and it’s just like, you’re nervous, you’re excited, it’s just a big rush of emotions.”

The 64-team pool in the

NCAA Tournament was unveiled Sunday night as the NCAA volleyball selection show aired on ESPNU. The MSU volleyball team (21-11 overall, 10-10 Big Ten) earned an at-large bid and will travel to Lexington, Ky., to take on Mid-American Conference champion Ohio on Friday.

“Ohio is a great team,” said head coach Cathy George.

“They’ve always been wellrespected in the (MAC). They’ve won a lot of conference titles. … You can see the key contributions from a lot of different players.”

After an up-and-down regular season, the team views the postseason as a clean slate. George learned a lot about the Spartans as they got off to a blazing 17-1 start to the season before going

backward. On Friday, they will look to capture some of the early-season magic.

Big Ten season was a challenge at times for the Spartans, but experience has taught the team that the toughness of the Big Ten conference tends to prepare teams for postseason play.

“It’s a blessing and a curse about the Big Ten, it’s how much of a grind it is,” Kelsay said. “It’s a long season. But that’s what prepares you for the NCAATournament. We play Friday, Saturday night, every night in the Big Ten, often against top 10 opponents.”

Kelsay pointed to last year, when the Spartans took down San Diego in five sets in the first round, and defeated defending national champ UCLA in the

second round just a day later.

“The Big Ten prepared us for that,” she said. “There are some similarities there, but there’s this breath of new life.”

The winner of Friday’s match will face either Duquesne or host No. 15-seed Kentucky in round two on Saturday. With the rigors of the Big Ten season in the past, the Spartans advance into postseason knowing another loss will spell the end of a promising season.

“You have six games, you’re looking at it that way, and it’s survive-and-advance, as they say in March,” George said.

“But that’s what it is. It’s getting after these teams and just going in there and giving the best effort and get after it, get it done.”