Wednesday 12/4/13

Help on the way

Why not?

State’s efforts to assist vets ongoing

Dantonio touts team’s chances at nat’l title

campus+city, pg. 3

sports, pg. 8

statenews.com | 12/4/13 | @thesnews Michigan State University’s independent voice

Winter cheer Check out the Holiday Shopping Guide Guide, pg. 5

policy

a d m i n i s t r at i o n

E.L. council talks FOCUSED ON POOLS IN CITY YARDS

University policy provides leeway for students to declare majors

By Geoff Preston

By Olivia Dimmer

gpreston@statenews.com

odimmer@statenews.com

THE STATE NEWS

THE STATE NEWS

nn

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Swimming pools might not be allowed in front yards without a fence if a proposal before the East Lansing City Council comes to fruition, a policy that potentially could impact students who want to have some fun in the water.

The council introduced an ordinance at its Tuesday meeting that would not allow pools with a depth of more than 2 feet in residential front and side yards unless they are enclosed by a fence that is at least 4 feet high.

Cit y Manager George Lahanas said the ordinance was introduced as an effort to improve safety.

Universit y of f icials are reviewing a proposed change to academic policy that would allow students to officially declare a major a full year earlier — at the end of their freshman year instead of sophomore year.

The proposal allows, but does not require, students to declare a major at 28 credits instead of 56 credits, as the current policy mandates.

Traditionally, all students with fewer than 56 credits are considered no preference majors. Although they might know what major they want to declare, they cannot technically do so until they reach 56 credits.

The new policy would have colleges assume responsibility for students at the end of their first year rather than their second.

Administrators say the change would give students more flexibility, allowing them to start working with a specific college at a younger age.

“It’s not an attempt to force students to make a decision at an earlier time,” Acting Provost June Youatt said during the Steering Committee meeting Tuesday. ”(It’s) an opportunity for students who know what they want to do to declare a major and affiliate with a college.”

Like the current policy, the proposal would not require the declaration of a major until a student reaches 56 credits; but it also would allow admission to limited enrollment programs when all prerequisite requirements are met, providing the student has at least 28 credits.

Right now, all except four of the university’s colleges admit students at 56 credits. The proposed policy would retain the admissions practices of these colleges, namely the College of Music, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, James Madison College and Lyman Briggs College.

Youatt said the policy revision would provide more continuity in advising, allowing students to consult with specific college advisors to drop courses and complete other actions instead of with general advisors.

If enacted, the policy would increase the number of students who use advisors in their respec-

The council is concerned pools without proper fencing could be a safety hazard for residents.

“It has this dangerous element,” he said. “If people leave a pool in their front yard and it’s not fenced in, someone could come in there, play with it, drown.

Anything can happen to a pool that’s open like that.”

Although Lahanas said there haven’t been any r e p o r t e d i n c i de nt s o f drowning or other injuries as a result of pools being in front yards, the safety concern still exists. He said pools also can be an eyesore in the front yard and cause issues with water runoff.

E a s t L a n s i n g M ay or Nathan Triplett said the issue came to the council’s attention during the city’s code review. He said the pools have concerned East Lansing police for at least a few years.

“When you have pools that aren’t fenced in any way, shape or form in the front yard, you have easy access from the sidewalk,” Triplett said. “I think the department’s concern is that it provides an opportunity for mischief.”

In addition to pools being a safety concern for children, See COUNCIL on page 2 u

Popping pills Adderall usage in spotlight for students, experts as finals approach

Photo illustr ation by Julia Nagy | The State News

By Celeste Bott

More online …

To weigh in on the debate surrounding Adderall usage at MSU and elsewhere, visit statenews. com.

cbott@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

E

arth science senior Mitch Raeck takes Adderall to feel normal.

“I always say that if it wasn’t for Adderall, I wouldn’t be attending MSU,” Raeck said. “I need it to be a regular college student. Without it I wouldn’t be able to focus. I wouldn’t be able to have a job.”

Raeck was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, as a child.

ADHD is a relatively common mental disorder

characterized by overactivity, impulsivity and difficulty paying attention or being productive.

Adderall is a stimulant medication composed of amphetamines and often is prescribed to people like Raeck to help them focus.

“I feel like I can only get things done when I’m on it,” Raeck said. “Even when I’m reading something, (without Adderall), I feel like it goes in one ear and out the other.”

What’s frustrating, he said, is the abuse of prescription drugs like Adderall by his peers, most of whom don’t have learning disabilities.

MSU officials say it’s a misconception that non-prescription usage is widespread, but researchers on campus and elsewhere have

See SUBSTANCE on page 2 u

basketball

Senior guard Keith Appling looks for an open teammate during the game against Mount St. Mary's on Nov. 29, 2013, at Breslin Center.

Unpredictable UNC team awaits for top-ranked Spartans tonight at Breslin

By Matt Sheehan msheehan@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

North Carolina. Primetime on ESPN. Nearly fifteen thousand fans, all packed inside Breslin Center.

There’s no doubt about it — tonight’s Big Ten/ACC Challenge showdown between the No. 1 MSU men’s basketball team and UNC will be a critical — and loud— one.

Head coach Roy Williams and his Tar Heels (4-2 overall) usually walk into games against MSU (7-0) as the expected winner, but tonight, the roles will be reversed. MSU will be welcoming the Tar Heels, who have won the last six meetings, to East Lansing for the first time

since 2000 — the last time the Spartans won the matchup.

The most recent clash was literally a spectacle, with the battle taking place on USS Carl Vinson in the 2011 Carrier Classic. The Spartans’ poor shooting resulted in a 67-55 loss, and now, the Spartans are looking for revenge in front of a raucous home crowd.

“The Izzone’s going to be rocking, the (Breslin) is going to be packed, and it’s going to remind us of a Big Ten game,” sophomore guard Gary Harris said after practice Monday. “It’s going to be crazy.”

Harris, the team’s leading scorer, who had taken a 10-day break since the Oklahoma game to rest his ankle, was given a “99 percent” chance to play by

head coach Tom Izzo.

“I’m trying to get that thing healed so he has the freedom to play like he wants to play,” Izzo said on Monday. “We’ve got a lot of good players right now, but where he is different than all those other ones is (that) he is a game changer on both ends, maybe all three spots.”

Having Harris back in the lineup would be a crucial asset, especially against a team as unpredictable as UNC. The Tar Heels made some noise when they toppled then-No. 3 Louisville — the defending national champs — by nine points, but the game came after a loss to unranked Belmont and was then followed up with a defeat at the hands of unranked UAB. The losses could be pointed at

See ACADEMICS on page 2 u

Khoa Nguyen/The State News

as fluky games created by horrid free throw shooting and the absence of suspended star guard P.J. Hairston, but Izzo knows the Tar Heels still are a threat.

Sophomore guard Marcus

Paige has been part of the glue of UNC’s offense, with 20.8 points per game.

It is likely Harris or senior guard Keith Appling will be assigned to defend him. Regardless of how well Appling or Har-

ris play, the Spartans will be hard-pressed to see him shoot as poorly as he did against UAB. “We just got to come in prepared to hit them with the first punch and… play as hard as we can,” Appling said.

2 | T he State N e ws | w ed ne sday, d ecembe r 4 , 2 01 3 | state n e ws.com

News brief MSU to focus on civil rights Next year will mark two historic anniversaries in U.S. civil rights, and MSU wants to makes sure they don’t go unobserved.

Marketed as “a year-long community conversation on civil and human rights,” Project 60/50 was announced Tuesday in an email from MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. The event will observe the 50th anniversary of the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 60th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which banned segregation in public schools.

Coordinated by MSU’s Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, the project will host or facilitate a multitude of events next year at MSU. The office’s director, Paulette Granberry Russell, said the idea for the project was a long time coming.

“It was actually an idea that arose out of some early discussions two years ago with some of our faculty,” Granberry Russell said.

Granberry Russell said Project 60/50 is meant to be open to all, but requested that those who want to operate under the banner of Project 60/50 register for the event.

“I think too often there’s a view that issues of civil rights, particularly in this country, are a part of our past, as opposed to the present or the future,” Granberry Russell said.

SIMON SCHUSTER

Three-day forecast

substance

Researchers note students might not be fully aware of the negative, harmful effects of using the drug from page one

found differently. Raeck can only fill his prescription once a month now, because Adderall has become more controlled, harder to get and more expensive.

“I need it to be regular and normal, just to feel organized,” Raeck said. “I don’t get that crazy effect I hear people get when they take it recreationally.”

How Adderall works The “crazy effect” Raeck mentioned is a direct result of dopamine being released from nerve terminals in the brain, said pharmacology and toxicology professor Ken Moore.

The dopamine influences the sympathetic nervous system, causing increased alertness, elevated heart rates, increased blood pressure and reduced fatigue, making it potentially appealing to a college student cramming for exams.

Something people

academics

The policy would give students the chance to enter their chosen college earlier than before, if they desired from page one

Wednesday Rainy High: 52° Low: 39°

Thursday Partly Sunny High: 44° Low: 25°

tive colleges. Although this would require most colleges to hire an additional advisor, UUD advisors would have the opportunity to give more intensive advising to students who have not yet decided on a major.

“This will facilitate students who at 28 credits know (what they want their major to be),” Steering Committee chairperson Sue Carter said. “That advisor in the college can be more hands-on and help provide direction that will lead toward graduation.

(Students will have knowl-

might not know is that even though it’s been prescribed for learning disorders like ADHD since the 1930’s, scientists still don’t know exactly why Adderall has the effects it does, Moore said.

“In therapeutic doses, it’s not that harmful,” Moore said. “But in high or frequent doses, there are side effects. It can lead to paranoia or even hallucinations or delusions.”

Glynda Moorer, physician and executive director of MSU Student Health Services, said that Adderall also can be habit-forming with longterm use. Other side effects include allergic reactions, anger or mood changes, pain, fever, chills, seizures, abnormal heartbeat and changes in sexual performance, she said.

“It may be helpful to a college student for a while,” Moore points out, “but you can also only go without sleep for so long.”

Pulling all-nighters There are two types of Adderall pills — instant release, or IR, which typically last four to five hours, and extended release, or XR, which can last much longer. Raeck said he often takes instant release Adderall before a class.

A 20 milligram dose of extended release Adderall can last up to 12 hours, which might explain why it’s become a go-to for some stu-

dents who want to stay up all night before a big exam.

“Anytime you take something that isn’t prescribed to you, you’re challenging your body with something it doesn’t understand,” said Student Health Services Health Educator Dennis Martell.

Martell said sleep deprivation is a side effect students might not consider — whether their finals drug of choice is Adderall, or even caffeine pills or energy drinks.

And it’s ironic that drugs intended to enhance productivity actually could inhibit it, he pointed out.

“The bottom line is that it’s a drug, and any drug has an effect on the body,” Martell said. “You may think this will enhance productivity, but you have to pay it back someplace.”

Prevalence among students According to National College Health Assessment data, about 14 percent of MSU students reported taking an unprescribed stimulant like Adderall or Ritalin last year.

Martell said this statistic has held true in recent years, and it’s a misconception that it’s common among MSU students.

But medical anthropology doctoral student Tazin Karim finds it to be a trend and cultural phenomenon that’s not just unique to MSU.

edge) of who they are going to, and (can) deal with people who have been tracking them from a year earlier.”

The revised policy would allow students who are eager to enter their college a chance to do so, while still giving students who are unsure the opportunity to explore and have more time to decide. Students who declare a major at 28 credits will have access to courses that were previously reserved for students who had achieved 56 credits. “ It ’s v e r y r e a s o n a bl e .

What’s nice about it is it’s not required,” said Mitchell Goheen, ASMSU vice president of academic affairs.

The revision was referred to the University Committee on Undergraduate Education.

council

Triplett says for city, “the concern is less about the small, inflatable … pools, but more the aboveground pools.” from page one

Triplett said the police department is worried someone who is intoxicated might walk by an open pool in the front yard and act inappropriately.

He said the police department is looking to combat the issue before it becomes a problem. "(The police department) tries to keep an eye on this issue when the pools crop

FALL 2014/SPRING 2015

NOW THROUGH april 1

HOUSING SIGN UP www.liveon.msu.edu

Continued In her research, Karim has interviewed and observed around 50 students at MSU and other universities — building relationships, going to doctors’ appointments and even witnessing drug deals in libraries or parties.

“What’s surprising is that while your major may influence how you think Adderall works, there’s no trend in what type of student takes it,” Karim said. “What’s more influential is a student’s own values about hard work, merit or legal repercussions, ethics and so on.”

Therefore, an English major could be just as likely to try Adderall recreationally as someone struggling to get into medical school.

And social media is only fueling the conversation.

A recent study from Brigham Young University found that from November 2011 to May 2012, a total of 213,633 tweets from 132,099 unique user accounts mentioned “Adderall.”

The number of Adderall tweets peaked during traditional college and university final exam periods. GPS data showed clusters of tweets around colleges throughout the country, and the study concluded that Adderall dis-

cussions through social media such as Twitter might contribute to normative behavior regarding its abuse.

up during the warmer months,” he said. “Although no one has drowned, I think it’s something they see on their regular rounds. … It’s certainly not trying to prevent people from having a pool that is safely enclosed on their property, just rather to have public access opportunities reduced.”

Triplett added that the issue is not ‘kiddie’ pools, but larger pools that aren’t enclosed.

“The concern is less about the

small, inflatable … pools, but more the above-ground pools that are comparable in size to in-ground pools,” he said. “The definition in the ordinance would capture some of the smaller pools but what we’re trying to get at are these larger pools.”

The council moved to place the proposed ordinance on its consent agenda for further discussion at its upcoming meeting.

A culture of experimentation Karim points out Adderall use is cultural and often detached from medicine itself.

“In interviews, I asked if students knew the medical side effects, and a vast majority of students had very little conception of what it physiologically does,” Karim said.

There’s more than meets the eye, though.

“Students understand the drug’s limitations. It’s ultimately a part of a culture of experimentation,” Karim said.

“It’s becoming a rite of passage, like drinking or losing your virginity. With Adderall, it’s more of a societal pressure to make the most out of your college experience, both socially and academically.”

But to call Adderall a tool to increase performance is too reductive, she said — it can be a treatment, a last resort, part of a strategic study plan, and a crutch or addiction.

“Most peoples’ experience … is a complex combination of all of these,” Karim said.

Crossword

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

VOL . 104 | NO. 163

Friday Partly Sunny High: 28° Low: 18°

Index Campus+city 3 Opinion 4 Holiday Shopping Guide 5,6,7 Sports 8 Classifieds 8

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

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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.

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12/4/13

SOLUTION TO TUESDAY’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 Caesar’s love 5 Signal to an on-call doctor 9 Omits 14 Chowhound’s request 15 Sharif who played Zhivago 16 World Court site, with “The” 17 Shepard in space 18 Plate ump’s purview 20 Brand for heartburn 22 Providence-to-Boston dir.

23 Scraps for Rover 24 Unit of work 25 Soda for dieters 28 French season 30 Thin pancake 31 Violinist’s gift 34 Move very slowly 36 Suffers from 37 In recent times 39 Mechanic, at times 41 “That works!”

42 4-Down collector 43 Boy king 44 Made a hue turn?

45 Suffix for records 46 Oater group bent on justice 48 Nile biter 49 Blush wine, for short 51 Short market lines?

54 Piedmont wine region 57 Erie Canal mule

58 __ Pipeline, Oahu surfing attraction 60 “She’s Not There” rock group 63 “Ripostes” poet Pound 64 Overnight refuge 65 Theater part 66 Choir part 67 Blow some dough 68 __ collar 69 Stonewall’s soldiers

Down

1 Shock 2 Large grinder 3 Citrus shavings 4 Payment to 42-Across 5 “Thick and Rich” chocolate syrup 6 Rescue pro 7 Ones on the payroll 8 Freddie __ Jr. of “Scooby-Doo” films 9 Ship reference 10 Musical buzzer 11 Composer Stravinsky 12 Fourth-down play 13 Dates 19 Property border warning 21 The Red Sox’ Jon Lester, e.g.

26 1980s Chrysler product 27 Altered mtge.

29 Social cupfuls

31 This crossword, literally for some, phonetically for all 32 “Please don’t yell __” 33 Oboe, e.g.

34 Eye rudely 35 They’re found in lodes 36 Reason for a medal 38 Classic Fords 40 Last year’s frosh 41 1956 Mideast dispute area 43 J. Alfred Prufrock creator 47 Straw-strewn shelter 48 Santa __ winds 49 Shrivel 50 “A Doll’s House” playwright 52 Medicare section 53 Informal byes 54 Dollar dispensers, for short 55 Hit a Target?

56 Head of Paris?

59 Close by 61 Getting on in years 62 Big one on the set, perhaps

Get the solutions at

statenews.com/puzzles

state n e ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | wedn es day, decemb er 4, 2013 |

Campus+city H o l i day

3

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

politics

Mich. taking steps to create Veterans benefits

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

Veterans are beginning to see the results of state efforts to make Michigan a more veteran-friendly place after condemnation from both public agencies and citizens.

The Veterans Affairs Agency is helping the 86,000 unemployed veterans find jobs

Brian Palmer/The State News

International relations sophomore Jess Goldblatt prepares to light a menorah with his brothers in the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity on Tuesday, the seventh night of Hanukkah.

Jewish students, faculty celebrate Hanukkah privately with friends

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

As the eight nights of Hanukkah continue throughout the week, MSU students and faculty join together each night to participate in the holiday tradition of lighting the Hanukkah menorah.

Historically, Hanukkah is meant to celebrate two miracles, Rabbi Hendel Weingarten of MSU’s Chabad said. The first is the victory Jewish people had over the Syrian-Greek persecutors, and the second is the ability of a small flask of oil to remain lit in the menorah in the Temple for eight days.

“Often times, people associate the menorah with the Jewish religion, but the menorah instead represents freedom,” Weingarten said. “The menorah represents the ability to be able to practice the religion in a free world and not on any kind of dictatorship.”

“It really shows the brotherhood and really brings us closer together.”

Jess Goldbatt, president of Alpha Epsilon Pi

This year, Hanukkah started fairly early — on the eve of Thanksgiving — which gave Jewish students the ability to start celebrations with family members. Students are celebrating the holiday in many different ways, ranging from standing around the large menorah located by the Rock on Farm Lane to simply lighting a personal menorah in their homes.

Every night, international relations sophomore Jess Goldblatt , the president of Alpha Epsilon Pi at MSU, said about 30 fraternity brothers gather around at their house to light the menorah together. As the candles are lit, Goldblatt said the brothers join together in traditional songs and prayers.

“It really shows the brotherhood and really brings us closer together,” he said. “We’re all Jewish and we get to share the experience with each other.”

The actual lighting usually only takes about five to 10 minutes, but the celebrations afterward can go on for hours.

Account i ng sen ior Ca l li Stencel said even though she’s not at home with her family, she tries to continue the holiday tradition despite her busy school schedule.

“I’ll occasionally light the menorah with my roommate, but if I were at home we would be making time for Hanukkah every night,” she said. “It makes me feel blessed mostly because it brings the family together and is just a happy time.”

Check out the state news on Twitter:

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Experts say the state has struggled to provide benefits for veterans in the past, but Michigan is beginning to surge with a collective, if somewhat decentralized effort to address the influx of post-9/11 veterans and accommodate them.

State officials recently created the new Veterans Affairs Agency, which conducted the report and created a user-friendly web portal offering information on the most frequently asked

police

roberts heads to prelim exam The man accused of attacking an MSU student did not have his expected pretrial Tuesday morning.

East Lansing resident Samuel Roberts was arrested in October for allegedly holding his ex-girlfriend in his apartment at knifepoint.

He was charged with unlawful imprisonment, assault with a dangerous weapon,

questions.

Michigan House Democrats have started a new Veterans Task Force to tackle veteranrelated policy initiatives and recommendations, and Gov. Rick Snyder announced a program to help train them in ITrelated services. The Veterans Affairs Agency also is trying to connect them with employers.

One of the biggest issues is the gap between employers looking for skilled workers and the state’s roughly 86,000 unemployed veterans.

The state is working with MSU to solve it.

Many veterans undergo extensive technological training, something employers complain they have a hard time finding, said Ingrid Tighe, an employment analyst with the Veterans Affairs Agency. Yet they have trouble communicating that to employers, she said.

Tighe said she’s hopeful the new Veterans Resource Center will help find work for MSU’s veterans, which the agency has been in contact with.

“Our main goal is to connect with veterans who are there to

make sure they’re getting their services and benefits, but also to create a pipeline (between veterans and employers),” she said.

Jerred Pender, president of MSU’s chapter of the Student Veterans of America, said there’s a big demand for that.

“I get bomba rded w it h emails and letters about either job fairs designated for veterans or veterans workshops — everything,” Pender said. “I’m just one person. I can’t really shoot all of that out all of the time, and that’s what the resource center is about.”

State of f icials say t hey expect between 5,000 and 10,000 veterans to return every year after President Barack Obama formally ended the Iraq War in 2011 and scaled down military operations in Afghanistan.

“We have a lot of folks coming home right now and this is a real opportunity, and the agency and governor see the opportunity these folks present,” said Veronica LaDuke, public information officer for the Veterans Affairs Agency.

interference with electronic communication and domestic violence.

Roberts held a checkup with officials in East Lansing’s 54-B District Court Tuesday and will go straight into his preliminary exam on Roberts Friday morning.

On the night of Oct. 19, Roberts argued with the victim, whom he said was intoxicated, when he

became violent and suicidal.

When she tried to call a friend for help, Roberts took her cell phone, threatened to throw it out the window and began throwing her around his apartment into furniture.

The victim sustained minor injuries.

In a statement obtained by police, the victim said Roberts had a violent history and once attempted to strangle her.

MSU’s official faculty and student search database lists both Roberts and the victim as students.

KATIE ABDILLA

University Activities Board presents the 50th Annual

Arts &

MSU Holiday

Crafts Show

Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MSU Union щ FREE Admission Shop more than 180 booths for everything from pottery and jewelry to home decore and one-of-a-kind holiday gifts!

For more info visit, www.uabevents.com

4 | Th e Stat e N e ws | we d n esday, d ecem be r 4 , 2 01 3 | state n e ws.com

Opinion

Featured blog From the Archives

Ou r voice | E ditorial

think twice before taking on grad debt

— Micaela Colonna, State News staff reporter

Read the rest online at Fi r st, con side r uate and professional students no longer have statenews.com/blog. access to subsidized loans, and parents can’t how long it will take take out a Direct PLUS Loan for adult children to get debt free, and whether or not a maswho no longer are dependents.

Unlike for undergraduates, debt from high- ter’s actually will land a er degrees often isn’t talked about, said Dion- higher-earning salary.

Going back to school for a isia Quiroga, vice president of external affairs for the Council of Graduate Students. Some master’s in philosophy “just for graduate and professional students don’t real- fun” sounds like a great option for stuize how expensive a second degree costs until dents whose parents own oil mines, but for the rest of us that would mean years of financial after graduation.

Avoiding entering the competitive workforce During a time when undergraduate degrees strain and a prolonged diet of Ramen noodles by getting a second degree isn’t the best idea, for little in return. Let’s face it; either. Fifty grand and a year later, and the are the new high school diplothere only are so many years economy likely will be about the same. Going mas, earning a graduate degree Interest rates for we can scrape by on macaroni back to school only will prolong the inevitamakes sense for students in graduate student and cheese. certain career fields. ble and will mean starting out with even more For students who find out debt. Consider making the leap after securing A higher degree can make loans are 5.41 four years later that they picked a steady job. the difference between a job the wrong career field, a masthat pays the rent and a job percent compared It’s not that all graduate degrees aren’t worth ter’s degree could be worth it. it; some are. that will land an extra several to 3.86 percent for For the freshmen, sophomores thousand a year. It could mean undergraduates.

But don’t dismiss the financial burden it will or even upperclassmen who’ve bring. Talk with family, career counselors and the difference between a job already arrived at that conclu- financial aid officers who can help put the costs and no job at all. But with litsion: seriously consider switch- into perspective. tle federal aid to help students deal with the cost of a master’s, doctoral or pro- ing majors before it’s too late. An extra year We all want to live comfortably and snag our fessional degree’s worth of loans, it should be at MSU is far less expensive than the average dream job after college, but consider the conmaster’s program. a thought-out, educated decision. sequences before taking the plunge.

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

A

“This weekend’s Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State has many students apprehensive about where MSU will find itself over winter break. But the aftermath of the game’s outcome might cause more harm than good in East Lansing.”

new Porsche. Two trips to Germany living life à la Trustee Faylene Owen’s style. A house.

With $52,000, the average debt from a master’s degree, students could buy a lot of stuff. For many of us, $52,000 would make a huge difference in paying off years of debt from an undergraduate degree.

With so much money on the line, think twice before committing to the crippling debt from graduate school.

Interest rates for graduate student loans are 5.41 percent compared to 3.86 percent for undergraduates, according to the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students. Grad-

opinion column

NCAA rules clear on Miller suspension

T

thursday’s poll results JUST SO YOU KNOW

Today’s state news poll

No 30% None 74%

Should women pay separately for abortion insurance?

One 23%Yes 40%

Should OSU quarterback Braxton Miller have been suspended?

No 60% 0

10

20

30 40 PERCENT

50

60

To vote, visit statenews.com.

Total votes: 50 as of 5 p.m. Tuesday

Comments from readers nn

“Pro-life group sends petition on abortion insurance to legislature” “This is not a good idea. If this goes into effect the people who can’t afford abortions (like students) will be the ones who really need one. If you can’t pay for a medical procedure, what makes you think you can pay to raise a child? We’re already giving everything and most of us are broke as it is. We can’t afford to pay a premium for something as silly as ‘rape insurance.’ Once again, Republican’s don’t realize how much they are hurting us.”

Erin Betman, Dec. 3

“Well, should everyone else pay for abortions, birth control, and pre-and post-natal care even if they don’t use it?

Who really ‘needs’ an abortion? Abortions are not the right to vote or breathe.” (comment continued at statenews.com) Bewildered, Dec. 3

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We want to hear your thoughts.

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Hall. But the fine print clearly reveals Miller’s actions as suspendable for the forthcoming Big Ten Championship game.

Meyer’s lack of disciplinary Ohio State running action is not surprising to antagback Dontre Wilson and offenonists familiar with his track sive lineman Marcus Hall were record. The third-year head coach ejected for their participation committed several recruiting vioin a near bench-clearing scuflations in his inaugural fle against University of Guest season at the Buckeye Michigan last Saturday. columnist helm, during a period The Big Ten spent the past three days reviewwhen Columbus already ing film and officials’ was under NCAA sancreports of the incident. tions from the Jim TresOn Monday, the confersel era. More than 30 of ence announced that his players were arrestno further disciplinary ed during his tenure at action would be handed the University of Floridown to those involved. da, including then-wide Derek kim The league and head receiver Percy Harvin, dkim@statenews.com coach Urban Meyer pubwho reportedly threw licly rebuked Hall, but no his positions coach to additional punishment was issued. the ground durHall’s obscene gesture might ing a practice. And have stolen the show; howto resurrect the ever, don’t let those flutterAaron Hernaning wings distract you. dez debacle that Take a closer look at the vidplagued our televieo replays of the melee postsions this summer: ed around the web, and Is it at all possikeep your eyes on No. 5. ble that the invesBig Ten Did you see it? tigations in FoxcommissAbout 10 seconds into the scufborough were a fle, Miller scrambles from his sideresult of passiviioner Jim line and joins in on the fun, twistty in Gainesville?

Delany … ing U-M defensive back DymonMost notably, te Thomas’ helmet in an attempt Big Ten commission- passively to yank him to the ground. er Jim Delany sure provided Miller walked away from the doesn’t seem conone of scene of the crime unscathed. cerned about MillMichigan offensive lineman Taylor er’s actions. Instead, the Big Lewan could learn a thing or two Delany passiveTen’s most from Hall, the OSU right guard. ly provided one of profitable While it is notable that the Big Ten’s most many other OSU players ran profitable brands brands a onto the field besides Milla smoother road smoother er, few candidly joined the fiasto a national title. co with the manner he did.

Not to mention road to a The Buckeye quarterback was that fans are not national among the first to reach the simply dismissing title.” scrum, and his hand went right reports of the comfor a Wolverine facemask. missioner’s passiviThe 2013-14 NCAA Football ty regarding OSU’s Rules and Interpretations man2011 improper benefit sanctions. ual Rule 9, Section 5, ArtiMSU does not boast the cashcle 1C reads as follows: “Durbreeding valor of Ohio State or ing either half, coaches or substiMichigan, but that’s no excuse tutes shall not leave their team for a lack of integrity on the comarea to participate in a fight.” missioner’s part. Is money more Penalties include 15 yards from important than manner? Miller’s the succeeding spot, an automathelmet-jabbing was a clear vioic first down if not in conflict with lation of NCAA rules. Such inacother rules, and disqualification tion contradicts what the Big Ten for the remainder of the game and boasts with its mantra: “honthe first half of the next game. oring legends, building leadThe last time I checked, ers.” It seems that in regards to No. 5 wasn’t on Ohio BCS championship recognition, State’s kickoff return. the commissioner would rather According to the preceding “chase it” than enforce principle. texts of Section 5 of the manDerek Kim is a guest columual, the league was correct nist for The State News. He can be in its handling of Wilson and reached at kimderek@msu.edu. he silhouette of the bird was all Braxton Miller needed.

“

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

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What’s your favorite part of the holiday season?

In case you missed it …

With classes drawing to an end and winter in full swing, students offered their input on their favorite parts of the holiday season.

“My favorite part of the holiday season is having the chance to be with my family. I’m from Illinois, so it’s nice to go home. I’m never really home to see them.”

“It might sound cliché, but my favorite part of the holiday season is giving gifts. It’s fun to figure out the perfect gift for someone else and then be able to give it to them.”

“You know how people usually leave cookies for Santa? (Myself) and my younger brothers put a can of beer out for him instead - we’re just trying to make sure he stays hydrated.”

“I love the winter scenery when the holiday season starts - snow makes the trees look so pretty. I’m such a kid at heart and love sledding, so I’m hoping for more snow.”

Megan Jacquier Hospitality business freshman

Steve Wulff Music performance doctoral student

Abbie Newton Journalism sophomore

Carra Oteto Journalism junior

ter and I found out our family was moving. Or rather, we were selling our longtime home in Mason, Mich., to join my dad at his new job in Florida.

The change had been coming for a while, as my dad had been working for several months in Florida, with my mom visiting him in between.

The change for me was largely ceremonial — I had already lived in my college house in East Lansing for several months, driving back to Mason on the weekends to check up on the house. In a way, I knew a permanent move was probably coming down the line at some point.

But, when I found out — over the holiday break, no less — it still was shocking. I didn’t really know what to do or say at first. It seemed abrupt, yet it was carefully planned out by my parents and was very much in the best interests of our family overall.

Yet, it made me think of all the times I had spent at my home, particularly times spent with family and friends

over holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. The move, which had been planned for the end of this past January, shortly after we found out, made me especially grateful that I had just hosted a large end-of-the-semester dinner for my friends at the newspaper, as it’s always great to be able to show people a bit of where you come from.

holidays

Beau Hayhoe bhayhoe@statenews.com

Time spent with family provides meaning Dealing with change, whether it’s moving to a new location, saying goodbye to old friends, or even starting new classes, is always difficult.

These changes are magnified even more when the word ‘change’ involves saying goodbye to your childhood home of twenty-plus years, right around the holiday season to boot.

This past winter, my sis-

Even away from longtime home, holiday still is special when spent with family But leaving behind so many celebrations, particularly at the holiday season, was difficult to come to terms with.

Giving up those memories was going to be tough, as I realized in the next few weeks. Moving out on my birthday weekend at the end of January was even tougher, but with time, I grew used to the notion of not having a home close by.

It was weird, to be sure,

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not being able to drive back 20 minutes down the road to our quiet country abode.

I still keep in touch with my friends from the area, despite not having a physical house there. And this past week, I experienced something else — my first holiday away from my longtime home in Mason. I had the privilege of spending Thanksgiving down in Florida at my parents’ new home.

The company was great, the times were fun, and unlike Michigan, the weather was extremely warm.

I had initially thought I would be disappointed by not having a “traditional” Thanksgiving.

Traditional in the sense that we would see my uncle and aunt from Mason, in addition to my older brother and his family from upstate. Traditional in the sense that, yes, it would be extremely cold.

While in Florida however, I realized some important points.

Although it was just a smaller version of our fami-

BY CASEY HOLL AND | Sn

ly celebrating the holiday — just my mom, dad and sister — the absence of the usual company didn’t make it any less of a holiday, it just made us realize how special it was to be able to spend time with them back in Michigan.

And furthermore, the absence of the things that make a winter holiday in Michigan, like snow and cold weather, didn’t take away from the holiday either.

As I sat with my family around the table on Thanksgiving, I realized that it doesn’t truly matter where you celebrate the holiday — what matters is who you celebrate it with. And now I know that whether in Michigan or in Florida, on Thanksgiving or Christmas, home is what you make it — and family makes all the difference when it comes to change.

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

Check out The State News online:

www.statenews.com

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lansing area comes to life The Lansing area will be bustling during the holiday season, with a variety of events catering to families and students.

The Christmas season typically provides a huge boost to local economies while also stimulating interest in area arts and entertainment.

Check out this list of activities going on in the area during the holiday season: Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 East Lansing businesses are taking part in an alternative to Black Friday the week after Thanksgiving. More than 30 businesses are bringing special deals to shoppers, with coupons available for free parking. Deals and steals include the following, with additional outlets participating: Campus Corner II, 501 E. Grand River Ave. 10% off MSU embroidered jackets and fleece • 20% off MSU long-sleeve t-shirts Campus Street Sportswear, 515 E. Grand River Ave. 15% off all men’s and women’s jackets, winter hats, gloves and scarves Clever Clover, 207 E. Grand River Ave. 20% off everything Saturday, Dec. 7 Winter Glow, East Lansing This winter-inspired outdoor festival will take place in the city on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 3 to 6 p.m. The event is set to feature ice carving, a reindeer petting zoo, photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, horse and carriage rides, a special outdoor holiday farmer’s market, a heated music tent, a kid’s winter carnival, marshmallow roasting, merchant activities, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and luminaries.

Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 50th Annual MSU Holiday Arts and Crafts Show Four floors of booths are set to take over the Union across two days leading up to finals week for MSU students. Admission to the event, which will feature works from artists across the state, is free. The event starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Saturday Dec. 7 MSU’s Home for the Holidays A symphony orchestra, choirs and singers are set to take the stage at the Wharton Center starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students with an MSU ID. Regular tickets are $20.

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What was your favorite Christmas gift?

word on the street

business Store manager Kayla Holcomb rings up Williamston resident Camille McCoy on Monday at La Bodega, located on Grand River Avenue.

East Lansing businesses are seeing many shoppers starting their holiday shopping.

In case you missed it …

As the 2013 Christmas season approaches, several students reminisced about the best Christmas gifts they’d ever received.

BY MICAEL A COLONNa | Sn

Khoa Nguyen/ The State News

“My favorite Christmas gift was the G.I. Joe trunk I received when I was eight years old.”

Aaron Wilbanks Media and information sophomore

“My favorite Christmas gift was my Barbie Dream House.”

Angie Goulet Public policy sophomore

e.l. businesses prepare for holiday season

By Geoff Preston gpreston@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

As soon as wreaths adorn the light poles and the buses begin flashing “Happy Holidays” messages, for some, the holiday season begins to set in.

Another feeling starts to settle in shortly after, because family members of students all need holiday presents.

For students in East Lansing, a lot of options exist for those with a big or small budget.

A mid-range price option is Pitaya, a clothing store located on Grand River Avenue.

Store Manager Olivia Burger said the store is similar to Forever 21.

“I would call us a college town store for young women,” she said. “We have locations all across the country.”

Because Pitaya relies on college students for most of its business, Burger said the holidays aren’t always the busiest.

“Over the holidays, it’s hit or miss ­— (because it’s) Christmas or New Year’s the students are out of town,” she said. “Right before break we are busiest.”

Burger said the store does better during the spring and fall.

“Our business is heavily influenced by the seasons,” she said. “We’re busiest during the first and last few weeks of the semesters.”

A more holiday-centric store is La Bodega on M.A.C. Avenue.

The store sells fair trade items and clothing from countries like India and Pakistan.

Sonya Major, an employee at the store, said their busiest time of the year is before the students leave for winter break.

“In the past, our busiest week has been finals week,” she said.

Major said although it is the preference of the consumer, she thinks there are a lot of benefits to buying from a familyowned store.

“It all depends on how much you know about the product, if

it comes from an ethical place,” she said. “I think buying from a fair trade store is important, but everyone has different values.”

Similar to many things in East Lansing, some businesses are affected by the success of MSU sports.

Campus Street Sportswear on Grand River Avenue sells MSU apparel. Managers said a lot of their holiday sales will depend on the MSU football team’s pursuit of a Rose Bowl berth on new year’s day.

“This year is different,” manager Tom Theum said. “It all depends on if (MSU goes) to the Rose Bowl — it could extend our holiday season.”

Theum said from the time that the store gets their holiday order in they have about a week with the students in East Lansing to sell their merchandise.

“Some universities have finals on the 22nd or 23rd of December,” he said. “Here, once the students leave and the dorms shut down, there’s about a week

from that (time) to Christmas that we aren’t that busy.”

Theum said on the weekends the store sees an increase in business.

“Weekends, we pick up,” he said. “There’s obviously less foot traffic when the students leave, but we get a decent amount of people who shop online.”

The most common item picked up by students, according to Theum, is a small gift, a t-shirt or sweatshirt before the students head home after finals.

City Manager George Lahanas said students serve as the biggest source of business for many of the cities in East Lansing. When they leave for winter break he said he sees a lot of the business for those stores leave as well.

“The city is a lot less busy with the students gone,” he said. “I’ve heard that from the businesses, and you can see that people are less busy.”

Lahanas estimated the town’s population is cut at least in half when students leave for break.

“My favorite Christmas gift was the PlayStation 2 my dad bought for me when I was nine years old.”

Marcus Boyd Marketing freshman

Federally insured by the NCUA

“My favorite Christmas gift was my iPhone I received two years ago.”

Tierra Tyler Sociology freshman

7

state n e ws.com | The Stat e N ews | Wed ne sday, decemb er 4, 2013 |

Sports

8

#snDailynumber

13

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

men’s soccer

Years since men’s basketball beat North Carolina. The teams tipoff tonight at 9 p.m.

football

dantonio on bcs title: ‘why not us?’

Junior midfielder Fatai Alashe, 27, and sophomore goalkeeper Zach Bennett celebrate on Nov. 24 after defeating Louisville 1-0 (2OT) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.

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

Julia Nagy/ The State News

MSU continues historic season

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

The MSU men’s soccer team is entering relatively uncharted territory.

For the first time since 1968, the 11th-seeded Spartans are headed to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight after a 1-0 upset victory against Georgetown on Sunday afternoon.

They take on Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Saturday with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

“It hasn’t been a quick fix in soccer, we’ve just continued to grow a culture and continued to work the right way,” head coach Damon Rensing said. “This has been a 20 year gradual climb. It culminates now in these last four or five years.”

MSU is 22-10-5 all time in the tournament, and are 3-0 in Elite Eight games. They were named co-National Champions in 1967 and 1968.

The resurrection of MSU soccer started when the goalkeeper from the back-to-back National Championship teams, Joe Baum, took the reins as head coach in 1977.

He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times, and finished his 32-year coaching career with more than 300 career wins.

Rensing, a former player under Baum, was named coach follow-

ing the 2008 season, and the program has been progressing every year.

Senior defender Kevin Cope has been a warrior on the back line all season and throughout his five years at MSU. This season, broken ribs and sore joints haven’t slowed him down at all.

Cope is the leader of a team that won’t soon be forgotten in the Spartan record books, and he said they’ve made some monumental waves in the college soccer world.

“It’s huge for the program and it’s huge for me personally,” Cope said. “There are only eight teams that are still practicing, and we’re one of them. It says a lot about where this program started, and where we’re at now, and where we’re going in the future.”

This team almost certainly wouldn’t be in the Elite Eight without Cope, who willingly gives up his body in front of shots for the greater good of the team on a regular basis.

Despite missing a run of games at the beginning of the year, he has anchored the defense that has tied the program record of 13 shutouts along with junior defender Ryan Keener, senior defender Ryan Thelen and sophomore goalkeeper Zach Bennett.

Rensing said Cope’s existence on the back line resonates throughout the team.

“He just instills a presence

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back there, and a confidence in our guys that know we’re under some pressure with some very good attackers,” Rensing said.

Notre Dame beat the Spartans 2-0 in the regular season, and the Irish knocked MSU out of the NCAA Tournament in the Sweet 16 a year ago.

For Rensing, the win against Georgetown is another huge step for the program.

“That’s why this win is really a sign … that Michigan State athletics and university is getting behind soccer,” Rensing said.

“We’re back on the map from a national level.”

it’s likely Auburn will get a title shot — especially after dethroning former No. 1 Alabama in the Iron Bowl this past weekend.

If Missouri defeats Auburn, it’s possible they might move up into the national championship race, while also reopening the door for the Crimson Tide to be considered to defend their title.

Of course, if Ohio State defeats MSU, any other scenario won’t matter.

Perhaps Dantonio’s comment was on the issue of campaigning for a BCS bowl, knowing members of the national media were in the room, thus providing him a mouthpiece to reassert that the Spartans have lofty goals toward the end of a special season.

More online …

To read more on Dantonio’s postseason thoughts, visit statenews.com

studyabroad.msu.edu | (517) 353-8920 PROGRAM INFORMATION MEETINGS Wednesday, December 4

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“Why not us?”

That is indeed the question following Mark Dantonio’s weekly press conference with the media yesterday afternoon.

With only a few days before the No. 10 Spartans (11-1 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) travel to Indianapolis for a date with No. 2 Ohio State (12-0, 8-0) in the Big Ten Championship Game, the MSU head coach briefly entertained a scenario that would send the Spartans to Pasadena — not for the Rose Bowl, but for the BCS National Championship Game.

And although the scenario is unlikely, as there are multiple hurdles in the way before it could even begin to come into play, Dantonio felt the question needed to be asked: “Why not us?”

“Anybody can rise up and beat somebody else. That balls bounces a lot of different ways,” Dantonio said. “The fact of the matter is we’re 11‑1 right now, we’re competing in a championship environment, and we’ll move from there. So don’t limit yourself.

Dream big. That’s what I tell our football team.”

High stakes abound, the Big Ten Championship Game kicks off Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (8:17 p.m., FOX).

The Spartans are one of six teams in the top 10 with a single loss, while there are two teams — Stanford and South Carolina — ahead of MSU with only two losses. If the Spartans are able to defeat the No. 2 Buckeyes, Dantonio said it’s possible the Spartans could “probably be No. 4 or 5” and be in the discussion to play for a championship.

“Why not us?” Well, there are a few reasons.

With No. 1 Florida State playing No. 20 Duke in the ACC Championship Game, a win guarantees the Seminoles a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. Meanwhile, if MSU beats Ohio State while No. 3 Auburn beats No. 5 Missouri in the SEC Championship Game,

deadlines

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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.

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Lic for 2 - rates begin at $355 per person avail for August 2014. Call 517489-3101.

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 4 BEDROOM for next school year $325 per person! 3 bedroom $415 per person. (517) 5070127.

A+ LOCATIONS! All across from MSU, downtown, best of the best! Great studio, 1 & 2 bdrm apts. Gr River, Mich Ave, Beal St, Evergreen, Harrison & more! www.cronmgt. com

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 CEDAR VILLAGE - Avail.

Fall ‘14. 1 + 2 bdrm, next to campus, heat included. Great clubroom, covered parking. 517-5073828. dtnmgt.com

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.

517-507-4172. College Towne Apartments.

NEXT TO campus Spacious 2 bdrm, lic. for 4. Partially furnished with heat incl. Free tanning! Priced right! Avail fall ‘14. 517-489-3083. dtnmgt.com SPACIOUS 2 BDRM, 2 bath apt available now for as low as $865. 1064 sq ft of living space, lots of closet space, washer and dryer in every apt home, private entrances, covered parking and more. Only two available at this rate. Call today!

517-351-9400 or e-mail hrleasing@atlantisam. com for more information.

THE OAKS. Next to MSU. 2 bdrms avail Fall 2014 for up to 3 ppl from $490 per person. Furnished living room, Remodeled kitchens! Enjoy our fitness center 24/7. High speed internet and video services included in rate. Call today 517308-0422.

Houses/Rent AUG 2014-2015 2 houses 4 & 5 bedrooms.

Evergreen.

Excellent rates. 332-1623 CUTE HOUSE, 251 Gunson. Lic. 2.$650 per person. No smoking, hot tub, a/c, w/d, 333-9595 FOR RENT 640 Bailey St. 14/15 school year.

Lic. 4. 4 bdrm/3bath.

2 car garage, finished bsmt, foyer, formal dining rm, enclosed porch, kitchen app, w/d. Call 517.230.1496 LIC 5. Close to campus.

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

SPACIOUS 4 BDRM Lic. 4. d/w + w/d. security deposit + utilities 517599-5731

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Aries (march 21-April 19) Today is a 7 — Dreams contain tricky messages worth deciphering; write them down and consider the puzzle. Attend to career goals today and tomorrow. Don’t spend impulsively, even with good reason. Stay put a while longer. taurus (April 20-may 20) Today is an 8 — You find what you seek out. Dive into work without delay. Transform priorities and dress the part; a new haircut or style would be nice. Get something you’ve always wanted. Own your new direction. gemini (may 21-June 20) Today is a 7 — Put your heart into your activities. Make big changes for the next two days, but without spending yet. Emotional tension demands release; it’s a good thing, so let it flow. Take the time to listen. Test your results. cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is an 8 — It’s a good time to get your message across.

Check your intuition by reviewing data. Don’t try to impress others, despite your brilliant idea. Keep it private for now and prepare. Exercise outside and think it over.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 9 — Don’t overspend or gamble today. There’s more work coming. A rude awakening calls you to re-affirm a commitment. Remain patient. Work and make money today and tomorrow.

Give and take. Inform the team privately. Offer insights.

Virgo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Today is a 7 — Work interferes with travel now, so make plans for later.

Postpone a shopping trip. Get an expert for the job (if you’re not one). Your love holds you to your highest ideals. Pay attention to that. Have inexpensive fun.

Libra (sept. 23-oct. 22) Today is a 6 — Shop carefully. The next two days are good for making changes at home. Be careful,

though. Think things through before acting. Get everyone else on board to make a breakthrough.

Sift for bargains; there are plenty of options. scorpio (oct. 23-nov. 21) Today is a 7 — The team buys into your plan. There are irregularities in cash flow, but it’s manageable.

You’re extra brilliant today and tomorrow. Believe you can prosper.

Emotions add motivation. Dress eclectic. Create a romantic venue and invite someone. sagittarius (nov. 22-dec. 21) Today is a 9 — A controversy gets sparked. Great abundance can be yours over the next few days.

Edit your lists and stay in motion.

Choose your activities well. You don’t have to tell everybody.

Things could get tense. Try something new. capricorn (dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is an 8 — The action today and tomorrow depends on your will power. Don’t make assumptions or spend frivolously. Relax.

Work messes with travel plans.

Establish boundaries. Lighten your load. Your power’s increasing. Help partners work out a disagreement.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-feb. 18) Today is a 6 — A difference of opinion causes conflict at home.

Meditate in seclusion. Note financial shortages and instability.

Learn from others. Calm someone who’s upset. Today and tomorrow, reflect and look back. Identify new resources. All ends well. pisces (feb. 19-march 20) Today is a 7 — Dive into a passionate effort. Associates need support now. It takes creativity to reach a breakthrough (but it’s available). Confer with allies today and tomorrow and try something new or unusual. Despite disagreement about priorities, you perform brilliantly.

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