Mail Home Edition #2 7/25/14

do How plan you etting g ? on around statenews.com | 7/25/14 | @thesnews Michigan State University’s independent voice

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2 Mail-home edition | Th e State Ne ws | Fri day, Ju ly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

A Look Inside...

ASMSU and you

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.

ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government. ASMSU’s initiatives have not always been popular with university officials, but the organization offers many services for students.

Page 9 Staying culturally involved

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.

MSU offers hundreds of clubs, and many of them allow students of all races and nationalities to remain involved with their culture.

Page 11

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(517) 432-3000 For distribution/circulation questions, email distribution@statenews.com

Staffers offer differing opinions on Greek life and whether or not it is worth the plunge.

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Corrections

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.

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

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Professional staff

editorial staff

General Manager Marty Sturgeon, (517) 432-3000

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managing editor Simon Schuster Content Editor Olivia Dimmer PHOTO EDITOR Danyelle Morrow designers Florian Cherdron Haley Kluge

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state n e ws.com | T he Stat e N ews | F riday, J u ly 25, 2014 |

HOW TO PACK YOUR BACKPACK

By Olivia Dimmer odimmer@statenews.com The State News nn

P

acking a backpack for the first day of college classes might seem like an easy feat, but there is a science behind knowing what to bring and knowing what to leave back at the dorm. Only pack what you need, keep it simple and practical.

1. Instead of bringing a notebook and a binder for each and every class, bring a laptop or tablet with an attachable keyboard. Most freshman classes are large lecture-style classes where a student can either type notes, or handwrite them. It’s much easier to type up notes than writing them all out, and swapping five notebooks for one laptop in a backpack will make it much easier to lug around a backpack. Some professors do not allow laptops in their classrooms, so make sure to check out the syllabus or ask the professor beforehand.

Or, if you prefer handwriting notes, invest in one large notebook with sections for each class.

This way, multiple smaller notebooks are compacted into one larger one, saving space, hassle and hopefully preventing the notebook from being forgotten back at the dorm.

2. Bring a refillable water bottle. Especially during the first few months of school, the trek around campus can be a hot one. Stay hydrated and cool with a water bottle — and packing a small snack wouldn’t hurt either.

Photos by Danyelle Morrow/The State News

3. Always keep your MSU ID card, driver’s

license, debit card and cash on you or in your backpack. Many professors use MSU ID cards to take attendance and to make sure students are taking their own tests. If you have one, keep your CATA bus pass on you as well.

4. Cell phone. How else are you going to go

on Tinder in between classes?

5. Keep your keys in your backpack, in your wallet, or around your neck on a lanyard, whichever works best. Invest in a backpack that has a key ring that clips on to the inside of the backpack so they can’t be lost, misplaced, or wedged underneath a stack of books.

6. Keep a red pen, black pen and No. 2 pencil in your backpack at all times for test-taking.

Keep a sharpener and eraser handy.

7. Even if it looks sunny outside, pack a small umbrella. Michigan weather is unforgiving, and the last thing you want to be is “that person,” soaking wet, standing at the bus stop looking like you’ve surrendered all hope of staying dry.

8. Tissues. Bring tissues. Even if you don’t have a frequent runny nose, it is almost guaranteed that when you do have one, you won’t be able to find a tissue for at least 3.6 miles.

9. A small comb, chapstick and some gum, just in case. You never know when you might need to make a good first impression.

10. Always keep a computer and phone charger in your backpack. Buy extras if you have to.

There is no greater anxiety than using Google maps to get back to your dorms and discovering your phone is on the brink of death.

3

4 Mail-home edition | Th e State Ne ws | Fri day, Ju ly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

Entering college with an undecided major isn’t all bad My biggest fear-inducing thought during freshman year at MSU was picking a major. The only thing scarier than picking a major was admitting I didn’t really know what exactly I wanted to do with my life. I’m sure there are plenty of people who just know, but I certainly wasn’t one of them. And you know what? Everything turned out just fine.

Coming to MSU with an undecided major isn’t necessarily an uncommon practice and it isn’t something to panic about.

Undergraduate University Division advisor Gary Wood said about 10 percent of incoming freshman are either undeclared or have declared no preference. Of the students who have selected a major, about 50 to 60 percent of them say they aren’t certain of their choice. Wood

said based on the number of major changes occurring in the first year, some students just don’t know what they want to do.

Reporter

katie krall kkrall@statenews.com

I definitely didn’t know what I wanted to do. I applied as an anthropology major because I liked the idea of being called an anthropologist. At AOP, I switched my major to business because I was going to open and run a bookstore while I worked on w r iting my novel.

When I actually started classes a month later, I decided to be an English

major because I wanted to be an English professor.

Then, I switched gears at the beginning of sophomore year when I decided to revisit my childhood desire to be a veterinarian. Majoring in animal science lasted all of a semester.

T here is an intense amount of pressure to select a major when first coming to college.

Wood said some of those fears stem from st udent s a nd pa rent s who have the misconception that it will take longer to graduate if a major isn’t declared right away.

In reality, there is no statistical significance on the time taken to graduate whether new students immediately choose a major or not.

The mistake I made — and this is something common with students who don’t know what they

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want to do right away, Wood said — was focusing on university requirements. There are plenty of people who will insist taking all the university requirements first is the way to go, but Wood said students who don’t take some exploratory classes have a harder time learning enough about themselves and what t hey might be interested in.

Sometimes it’s a matter of just getting on campus and figuring out what MSU has to offer and other times it’s researching job outlooks in certain fields.

Wood said sometimes it’s not the choice of a major itself, but the way students package themselves within their chosen major is significant.

When I finally made the decision to major in journalism, I had definitely taken a few courses that

didn’t apply to my degree requirements. But I don’t consider this a bad thing.

Yes, I spent money on classes I didn’t need. But I’m happy for the experiences I had and the knowledge I gained by floundering for a while.

My best two pieces of advice to students who are unsure of their major or come in undeclared are these: first, do not stress.

College will throw a lot of new, terrif ying and exciting, demands your way and knowing exactly what you want to do in the very beginning isn’t one of those. Secondly, work closely with an advisor. Find one you like and talk to them. The first semester of classes must be approved by an advisor and they will do the best to help students get on the right track.

That’s their job, after all.

By the numbers Freshmen and sophomore student majors (as of 7/14)

875 Finance 725 No Preference 687 Lyman Briggs 622 Supply Chain Management

616 Accounting 594 Marketing 580 Mechanical Engineering

480 General Management

467 Psychology 426 Kinesiology

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state n e ws.com | The State N ews | f riday, j u ly 25, 2014 |

Tuition sees $292 increase for next year

By Casey Holland cholland@statenews.com The State News nn

Benjamin Franklin is famously quoted for having said “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

At MSU, the cost to go here is going to increase with similar certainty.

During 1979, students paid $24.50 per credit hour. As tuition continued to rise each school year, once the 2014 fall semester came around, each credit hour cost $440.

Tuition for the 2014-15 school year was raised by 2.6 percent for in-state freshmen and sophomore students. The raise added up to $11.25 more per credit hour for the school year, and a student taking 30 credit hours will have to pay about $13,200 overall.

Out-of-state undergraduate students will have to pay 3.6 percent more for the upcoming school year, or about $41 more for each credit hour. Overall, an out-of-state undergraduate student taking 30 credit hours will pay about $34,956.

Tuition increases are not anything new to the university — in fact, according to the website of the Office of the Controller Student Accounts, tuition has been on a constant rise since 1979.

“The price has been going up for college in general, and there are a

15000

number of factors behind it,” Associate Director of the Office of Financial Aid Val Meyers said. “The state used to help with a great portion of funding, but now states don’t have the money they used to and tend to cut funding for higher education.”

Students have attempted to take action when it comes to tuition increases. T he student activist group, MSU Students United, gathered more than 4,000 signatures on a petition meant to freeze tuition. They also met with university president Lou Anna K. Simon prior to her address about tuition.

A nthropolog y senior Jolyse Race, a member of MSU Students United, said the administration acts like they aren’t making as much money as they are, and that their meetings have yet to sway the Board of Trustees.

“The administration just does not support student activism,” Race said. “I do think tuition increases are avoidable, but I don’t think they do much to make that happen. They won’t work with us.”

MSU Students United organizer and history and jazz studies junior Duncan Tarr said whenever it was brought up, they were laughed at, most notably by Board of Trustees Chairman Joel Ferguson.

According to a tentative budget presented at the June Board of Trustees meeting, the 2015-16 school year could see a

Price of tuition per year * Cost based off two 15-credit semesters 2014-2015 $13,200 2012-2013 $12,622.50

12000

9000

$

2013-2014 $12,908

2011-2012 $12,202.50 2010-2011 $11,152.50

Haley Kluge/ The State News

tuition increase of 4 percent for both lower and upper-division students.

Meyers said university has become less accessible due to rising costs.

Of the sources financial aid receives income from — the federal government, state government and private donors — she said MSU has been successful with bringing in donations from private organizations.

However, even with fundraising still an option, she said something is going to have to change.

“There are a lot of students we can’t always help,” she said. “We just don’t have the money. The trend now is that more students are borrowing money, but eventually students can’t or won’t want to go that route anymore.”

Program Fees Undergraduate Student Fee for students continuing into Fall 2012

$500.00/semester

Broad College of Business

$200.00/semester*

Engineering Program

$590.00/semester*

Health Sciences Majors

$100.00/semester*

Science and Technology Intensive Majors

$590.00/semester*

*Program fees effective for junior and senior level students

Rev. Curt Dwyer, Pastor dwyerc@martinlutherchapel.org silveyd@martinlutherchapel.org

5

6 Mail-home edition| T he State Ne ws | fri day, j uly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

BUSTED

Partying in the dorms can be risky. Here’s what to expect if a student is caught with illegal substances

By Katie Krall kkrall@statenews.com

MIP

The State News nn

For a first-time offence: The minor has the option to choose one of two programs to keep the minor in possession, or MIP charge, off their record. The first is called Diversion and is offered by the court. The fines usually total around $490. The minor is put on a three-month non-public probation period and will be subject to random tests to measure alcohol in their system. The minor will also need to complete an online alcohol awareness course.

The second program is called Deferral and is offered by the city of East Lansing. This program is more expensive, about $550. The student must agree to not get a new criminal charge for three months and take the same online alcohol awareness course. There are no random sobriety tests.

Students caught drinking in the dorms are judged based on the severity of the situation. This means the amount of alcohol a student has, how intoxicated they are and how well they cooperate are all factors in deciding how the rest of the process will go.

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Alcohol What happens first: If a resident advisor has reason to believe a student is in possession of alcohol in the dorms, they will first address and document the situation. This includes talking with the student and assessing the safety and well-being of those involved. The residential assistant, or RA, will request all alcohol be brought to the middle of the room and it will be disposed of.

If the student cooperates: Most likely, the incident will be documented by the RA. The community director will review the incident and will make a decision on a caseby-case basis.

For all first offenses, typically a student is placed on behavioral probation for a year and referred to a program called BASICS — which is an individualized approach to alcohol education. This is not mandated counseling, but the student will have to take a survey and meet with a staff member so they can gain a sense of the student’s risk factor and develop any goals to move forward. BASICS isn’t formal counseling and will cost the student $100.

If the student does not cooperate: If the student refuses to bring the alcohol to the RA, further assistance will be requested. This could mean calling additional staff or this could mean calling the police department. If the police are called, the RA will leave the situation at hand for the police. This could mean getting arrested or being charged with an MIP, or minor in possession.

Marijuana What happens first: If there are indicators of marijuana present in a residence hall, such as smell, the RA is supposed to contact police immediately. The police will handle the situation, but there may still be implications from the university after the fact, including an educational program assessing the impact on the community and whether any harm was done, the risk factor for the student involved and whether or not they pose a threat to those around them.

Marijuana, medical or recreational, is not permitted on campus. University housing has the option to immediately remove a student from a residence hall if they believe that student to be a danger to others. Marijuana is dealt with on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity of the incident — simple use or distribution. If a student is prescribed medical marijuana, university housing will be able to waive the requirement to live on campus or allow them to end their housing contract and move off campus.

Possession of marijuana: Those found in possession of marijuana can enter a diversion-type program where they can enter a plea and end up with a fine but no criminal record for the first offense. This program costs about $480 and will include a six-month probation, 20 hours of community service, random drug testing and the completion of a marijuana intervention program.

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state n e ws.com | T he Stat e N ews | f riday, j u ly 25, 2014 |

7

MSU’s responses to sexual harassment are being investigated by the government Federal investigation looking into whether the university allegedly mishandled three separate claims

By Simon Schuster sschuster@statenews.com The State News nn

T

he prevalence of rape and sexual assault on college campuses is increasingly being recognized as a nation-wide issue. Universities across the U.S. are being scrutinized for their handling of the crimes, and MSU is no exception.

MSU is being investigated by the federal government, specifically the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, to determine whether the university violated the federal law Title IX in its response to several

student claims of sexual harassment and assault.

People who have been se x ua l ly h a r a s sed or assaulted have the option to report the crime to MSU’s Title IX coordinator in the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, or I3. MSU is mandated by law to investigate any reports of harassment but is not required to forward the complaints to police, if the victim chooses not to.

The OCR also issues specific guidelines about how the university must respond to the claims, and while the OCR is investigating two — potentially three — cases, specifics about the accusations sur-

rounding MSU’s response have been murky.

The first case involved the alleged assault of a female freshman by two former MSU basketball players in Wonders Hall at the beginning of the fall semester in 2010. Due to conflicting accounts, criminal charges were never filed, but the claimant in the case took issue with the university’s response.

Accordi ng to doc uments obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, The State News learned the student complained to the Office of Civil Rights that MSU “failed to respond appropriately ” to her initial claim of sexual assault

College isn’t always safe — tips for avoiding trouble on and off campus Content editor

Olivia dimmer odimmer@statenews.com

As sad as it might be, one of the first items I received as a goingto-college present was a tiny, pink container of pepper spray.

We all know that’s not how it should be, but unfortunately, that’s how it is. As a woman, I am constantly conditioned to live my life around the fear of a faceless attacker.

In college fear can become amplified by the ongoing media reports of sexual harassment and violence on campus.

And while it is important to stay safe on campus — especially when it’s a person’s first time away from home — it’s also important not to let that fear be bigger than it needs to be.

Going into my sophomore year, there are a few things I wish I had known ahead of time about staying safe on campus.

Use the buddy system This technique is imperative for people of all genders, not just women.

Walking alone at night in East Lansing can be dangerous for a variety of reasons and having a friend there to calm your nerves or make you less appealing to a potential thief is beneficial for everyone.

Lock your doors The dorms are generally a safe place, but every year at least a dozen instances of dorm theft happen because doors were left unlocked. Unless you want to be awakened by a midnight visitor, or are looking for a quick way to get rid of your laptop, lock your doors.

Avoid the temptation to nap in public places College is hard. You will be tired. But if you take a snooze in the library and someone snatches your bag out from underneath that comfy couch, you’ll be out of luck.

Always have a cell phone charger handy If you’re lost, stranded or otherwise too intoxicated to find your way home, a cell phone will most likely be your savior. Use Google Maps to

find the quickest way back to the dorms, call for a cab or call a friend.

Speak up If you see sexual harassment on the streets or in a building, say something. Don’t be a bystander. One voice can be the difference between a halted act of violence and a lasting feeling of regret. The same goes for any crime.

The MSU police are here to help college students. If a friend drinks too much at a party, call the police. Medical amnesty will protect both you and that friend from getting into trouble if you are seeking help after drinking underage.

Part of being a Spartan is looking out for other people, no matter how hard or uncomfortable it might be.

Carry Mace, just in case Some students might not feel it necessary to carry pepper spray, but for some the option of having it in an emergency can help ease anxiety. When buying pepper spray, always get more than one. To use the spray properly when it is needed, a person needs to test it out and make sure they understand the mechanics beforehand.

and did not take “appropriate action when the male students engaged in retaliatory harassment” and that MSU even retaliated against the student by engaging in “activities to malign her character” after reporting the incident.

A lthough OCR’s initial inquiry into the case began in July 2011, the office contacted the university again in February 2014 to request more documents relating to the incident, perhaps indicating the case is still under investigation and informing the university that federal officials would be visiting campus as part of the investigation.

The second case under invest igat ion is muc h more recent, an assault reported in February 2013, but much less is known.

T he complaint alleges the university failed to “promptly and equitably respond” to the claim, and as a result multiple students, including the “Student,” were “subjected to a sexually hostile environment,” according to the notification MSU received of OCR’s investigation.

It is unclear whether a third complaint sent to the OCR is being investigated. Because the student in that case first attempted to use MSU’s internal grievance procedures, the OCR only has jurisdiction

PLAYER 1

to review the results of the grievance complaint and determine if they were lax before investigating the entire claim.

In that student’s case, however, quite a bit has been revealed. The university took 285 days to find and sanction the student responsible for the accused harassment and sanction him. In the interim, the two still attended classes together and lived in the same residential building. T he victim in the case, who still attends MSU, had her story told in an in-depth report titled “285 days of fear and waiting,” which can be found on statenews.com.

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8 Mail-home edition | Th e State Ne ws | fri day, ju ly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

MSU student activists push for campus change

By Casey Holland

cholland@statenews.com The State News nn

Some facets of MSU life — perpetual tuition increases, large power plant on campus’ south end — are treated as the realities of life at MSU by many students. But some students are vehemently opposed to, and won’t take administrative decisions sitting down.

State News file photo

Students chant during a protest against tuition hikes hosted by MSU Students United on April 11 at the Capitol building in downtown Lansing. Students began the march at Beaumont Tower.

RELIGIOUS GUIDE Look for this directory in the paper every Wednesday and online at: www.statenews.com/religious Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd., E. Lansing Between Hagadorn & Park Lake Rds. (517) 337-9703 Sunday Worship: 10am Sunday School: 9am Adult Bible Study: 9am ascensioneastlansing.org Congregation Shaarey Zedek 1924 Coolidge Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-3570 www.shaareyzedek.com Friday Evenings: 7:30 Shabbat Evening Service (Reform) Saturday Mornings: 9:00 Shabbat Morning Service (Conservative) Edgewood United Church, UCC 469 N. Hagadorn East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-8693 Sunday: 10am LGBTQ Celebrating, Justice and Peace Congregation www.edgewood.org First Baptist Church of Okemos 4684 Marsh Road Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 349-2830 www.fbcokemos.org Worship Celebration - Sundays at 10:45am Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 898-3600 Sunday Worship: 8:45am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15am Sunday Evening: Small Group Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm www.greaterlansingcoc.org Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St., E. Lansing (517) 332-1916 Friday Night Services: 6pm September - April

Little Flock Christian Fellowship MSU Alumni Chapel littleflock@hotmail.com www.littleflock.org Sunday Service 10:00am-12:00pm (basement) Fellowship Lunch at 12:30pm Bible Study Tuesday 7:00pm Location announced on Sundays Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-0778 martinlutherchapel.org Sunday: 10:30am & 7:00pm “Wednesday ON FIRE” at 7:09pm One Community–Lutheran (ELCA)/ Episcopal (TEC) Campus Ministry 1020 South Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-2559 www.facebook.com/onecommunitymsu Thursdays: on-campus student worship 7:00pm (RM 111, Olds Hall) Sundays: 8:30, 10:45am (at University Lutheran Church) Sundays: 8:00, 10:00am (at All Saints Episcopal Church) Peoples Church 200 W. Grand River Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-6264 www.peoples-evolution.org Sunday Worship: 10:30am Tuesday: Love Life: 7-9pm Wednesday: Dinner at 5:30pm, Journey at 6:30 Quan Am Buddhist Temple, MSU Meditation Center 1840 N. College Road Mason, MI 48854 (517) 853-1675 (517) 347-1655 www.quanamtemple.org 7-8:30pm Every Thursday Red Cedar Friends Meeting (Quaker) 1400 Turner St. Lansing, MI 48906 (517) 371-1047 www.redcedarfriends.org Sunday: 9am, 10:30am Weekdays: 7:30am

Religious Organizations:

Don’t be left out of the Religious Directory!

Call 517-432-3010 today to speak with an Account Executive

St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C. Ave., E. Lansing (517) 337-9778 Sunday: 8am, 10am, 12pm, 5pm, 7pm Reconciliation: Mon, Wed, Fri: 11am to Noon www.stjohnmsu.org St. Paul Lutheran Church 3383 E. Lake Lansing Rd. East Lansing, MI (517) 351-8541 Adult Bible Study: 9am Worship:10am www.stpaul-el.org St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church & School 955 Alton Rd., E. Lansing (517) 351-7215 Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30pm Sunday Mass: 9am, 11am Reconciliation: Saturday 3-4pm, 5:30pm www.elcatholics.org Trinity Church 3355 Dunckel Dr. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-3820 Saturday: 6pm Sunday: 9:15 am, 11am http://trinitywired.com Unity Spiritual Renaissance 230 S. Holmes St. Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 484-2360 or (517) 505-1261 Sunday: 10:30am Wednesday: 6:30pm meditation Office: Monday-Thursday 9:30-12:00 University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-5193 Non-Instrumental: 8:45am Traditional: 11:15am www.universitychristianwired.com University United Methodist Church 1120 S. Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-7030 universitychurchhome.org Sunday: 10:30am TGIT: 8:00 Thursdays 9:00am Garden Service thru Labor Day Weis Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbott Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 580-3744 www.msu.edu/~weisluth 6:00pm Saturday

MSU Students United Although only about a year old, MSU Students United pitches itself as an alternative to the defacto undergraduate student government Associated Students of Michigan State University.

“We’re a student union organizing to fight tuition h i kes, sex ua l assault, a lack of enrollment of students of color and the state’s funding of higher education,” anthropology senior Jolyse Race said.

“We encourage anyone and everyone to stop into a meeting and see what we’re about.”

The group gets together once a week for General Assembly meetings, which usually draw between 20 and 25 students. All students are welcome to attend the meeting, and group organizer Duncan Tarr said the meetings are the best way for students to get involved with anything the group is planning at the time. “ We’re ba sic a l ly a n a c t i v i s t o r g a n i z at ion that’s organized around making MSU more accessible and democratic,” Tarr, a history and jazz studies junior, said. “We want more of a student voice. The current way things are with how the university is run is similar to a corporate business model.”

MSU Students United is vocally opposed to the yearly tuition hikes, while ASMSU’s elected undergraduate student officials have frequently gone on the record stating tuition increases are an unfortunate necessity.

Tarr has joined MSU Students United in numerous protests, marches and petitions, including one for a tuition freeze that gathered more than 4,000

signatures.

The organization also rallied a march to the capital with more than 50 students involved.

Me et i ng t i me s a nd locations for the 2014-15 school year will be posted on the MSU Students United website and Facebook page. As of right now, MSU Students United is scheduled to meet from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Wednesday in the Union.

MSU Greenpeace Tack ling issues with more of an environmental impact is MSU Greenpeace. Formed during the fall 2009 semester with a campaign to shut down the T. B. Simon Power Plant and get MSU to start running completely on clean energy.

T he organizat ion is strongly opposed to the university’s Energy Transition Plan, which states MSU’s goal to achieve 100 percent of its power from renewable sources but not when or how the goal will be accomplished.

Although Greenpeace worked with administration during the plan’s formation, MSU alumna and former member of the group Jordan Lindsay said the language of the plan is still unclear but that a lot came from their meetings.

Because many of the former leaders graduated this past semester, Lindsay said the leadership will transfer to some of the younger students involved in the organization.

Greenpeace has a history of activist action. In 2011, Greenpeace members were arrested while attempting a sit-in outside MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon’s office to advocate for clean energy.

MSU Greenpeace meeting times and locations for the 2014-15 school year will be posted on the group’s Facebook page.

“You get a lot of skill training, like how to run a campaign or how to recruit and manage volunteers,” Lindsay said.

“I’m still supporting the group in that capacity. ... The skills are applicable to any leadership position and the cause is important.”

Greenpeace timeline

Fall 2009 MSU Greenpeace is founded during the fall 2009 semester.

Spring 2010

During the beginning of the semester, MSU Greenpeace’s coalition partner, MSU Beyond Coal is founded.

Fall 2010

MSU Greenpeace collects petitions calling for MSU to transfer to 100 percent clean energy.

The organization later hosted two silent protest at separate Board of Trustees meetings.

On October 10 MSU Greenpeace holds a march and rally to call on the university to quit using coal. The march and rally were held in conjunction with 350.org.

Spring 2011

Energy Transition Steering Committee is formed, and MSU Greenpeace and MSU Beyond Coal are invited to have representatives on the committee.

Two members became representatives.

In March, MSU Greenpeace and MSU Beyond Coal host a Clean Energy Forum. Clean energy experts visited the university to speak about clean energy.

Fall 2011

On October 20, MSU Greenpeace held a sitin at President Simon’s office. Seven students participated and three of the students remained past closing. The three of them were later arrested.

On October 21 Adam Liter, MSU Greenpeace vice president, gives a presentation to the Board of Trustees, listing his problems with the Energy Transition Steering Committee.

He tried to convince the Board of Trustees to work with students to create a 100 percent clean energy school.

(Timeline events taken from the MSU Greenpeace website).

Mail-home edition

state n e ws.com | The Stat e N ews | f riday, j u ly 25, 2014 |

9

ASMSU clashes with university officials

By Derek Gartee

Each year, MSU students give $18 to a student organization called ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government.

Although ASMSU provides many services to students with the money students pay along with tuition, there has been some campaigns by the organization in the past years that have concerned students.

by ASMSU. The purpose was for students to tweet #WTFMSU and comment on what students wanted fixed at MSU. WTF was an acronym for “what to fix.”

University officials, however, were not happy with the demonstration. The chalk-based spray paint was considered vandalism in the eyes of officials.

While ASMSU expressed no intent to vandalize, costs associated with cleanup were estimated at about $1,500.

WTF MSU

Bike Sharing Program

dgartee@statenews.com The State News nn

Last year students awoke one day to find campus sidewalks covered in graffiti and sidewalk chalk. The tags dotted the sidewalks with the two simple words, “WTF MSU.” The campaign was a viral campaign launched

ASMSU also received some criticism for the bike share program. The organization voted to spend $60,000 to create a pilot program for the bike-sharing idea.

The pilot would provide 40 bikes for 1,000 partic-

ipating students to share.

Students wishing to participate would pay a $50 dollar fee for the year.

The program would allow students to buy memberships and access bikes in the area. ASMSU saw the program as a way to promote sustainability.

Howe v e r, c onc e r n s have been raised about the practicality of the program. With so few bikes, the pilot program could be unsuccessful.

“I don’t think the plan ASMSU proposed is the best for (MSU), economically and logistically,” Travis Lunsford, director of racial, ethnic and progressive affairs for MSU’s Residence Halls Association, said in a past interview with The State News.

The bike sharing pilot program is planned to be implemented this August.

ASMSU Services Free Blue Books: Students who need a blue book for an upcoming exam can get one free of charge at the ASMSU office in the Student Services building.

Free Yearbooks: ASMSU funds MSU’s yearbook, The Red Cedar Log, and free copies are available in stands around campus.

Free Prints: Tax paying students can get up to 25 free prints, copies and faxes per semester in the ASMSU office.

Loans: Students can receive up to $300 in interest-free loans per semester from ASMSU.

Readership Program: Free copies of the New York Times, USA Today, Detroit Free Press, and Financial Times are available to tax-paying students across campus. Swipe your ID card in the green box to access the newspapers.

iClicker Rental: Instead of paying for a new iClicker, ASMSU rents out more than 500 every semester to tax-paying students.

Student Defenders: Trained Student defenders are available to help students in cases of university-related issues such as discrimination, residence hall issues and other cases, but are not able to provide legal advice.

Legal Services: The legal services ASMSU provides includes representation of students in cases of drunk driving, traffic tickets and small claims or civil matters, such as MIPs. Students can also consult legal services for filing a claim, settling a claim and leasing.

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Mail-home edition

state n e ws.com | The Stat e N ews | f riday, j u ly 25, 2014 |

10

Avoid overspending on textbooks

By Beth Waldon bwaldon@statenews.com The State News n n

A

dding textbooks to the list of expenses during the school year can be overwhelming, especially with prices on the rise each year.

Fortunately, several students have found a variety of ways to avoid overspending on textbooks.

Human biology senior Garrett Williams tries to avoid purchasing his textbooks in the bookstore as much as he can. When he can’t avoid it, he tries his best to find the lowest cost.

“Just really do your research,” Williams said.

“Go online and try to find the best price.”

Students, including Williams, have been known to use Chegg.com, a website where students can pur-

chase or rent their textbooks at lower rates than the retail price. The website also provides studying resources and opportunities to re-sell used books.

Some students also use Amazon.com, which gives a wider range of prices depending on whether the book is new or used.

In the fall of 2012, alumnus Darin Gross launched an online textbook resource known as Booklify.com to combat the feeling of being “ripped off” by other companies. With Booklify.com, students from surrounding Michigan universities can purchase books or sell them to one another.

Gross said the unique thing about Booklify.com is that when students meet to drop off or pick up their books, they find students in mutual classes or with mutual majors to create study groups.

Gross added that Booklify.com has more than 3,400 active users and more than 2,500 listed textbooks for sale.

“Wait to see if you will actually use the book.”

Alissa Sheedy, French senior

Another popular resource for finding cheap textbook sales is allMSU. com, which is similar to Craigslist.com, but only consists of MSU users.

Students can post classified ads if they are selling a book, and they can request a specific book that they’re currently looking for. Those who find their match, arrange to meet and exchange books for cash.

“Money-saving opportunities online are tremen-

Undergraduate University Division

dous,” Gross said.

While several students purc hase t heir book s online, French senior Alissa Sheedy uses social media as a backup to find reasonable deals with a Facebook group called MSU Buy/Sell Textbooks.

“I usually use Facebook or Amazon,” Sheedy said. “I look at the bookstore and see if it’s something I’m actually going to use. Then I check on Facebook, then resort to Amazon if nobody is selling it in the buy/sell textbook group.”

Sheedy advises students to wait until after classes start before buying textbooks.

“Wait to see if you will actually use the book,” Sheedy said. “And always look on the Facebook group or other online sources before going to the bookstore.”

Where to buy textbooks Spartan Bookstore Located in the International Center on Campus, the Spartan Bookstore carries a variety of textbooks, as well as school supplies and spirit wear.

Student Bookstore The Student Bookstore is right on Grand River Avenue and carries a wide selections of books, supplies, and clothing. Students can also rent and sell books at this location.

Ned’s Bookstore Also on Grand River Avenue, Ned’s Bookstore carried textbooks and Spartan apparel, although the selection is smaller than what

the Student Bookstore carries.

Collegeville Textbook Company Collegeville is owned and operated by MSU Alumni who took matters into their own hands when it came to altering the textbook-buying experience. Although the shop is smaller, this location does sell many textbooks and other items.

Amazon Amazon.com carries a wide range of textbooks, and allows students to search books by identification numbers online.

If a person signs up for Amazon Prime Student, they can get free shipping on most orders.

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state n e ws.com | The Stat e N ews | f ri day, j uly 25, 2014 |

Finding the right cultural student organization

By Michael Kransz mkransz@statenews.com The State News nn

The MSU student population is comprised of people from a wide variety of backgrounds. Interacting with strangers of different roots can be intimidating, but pushing past a narrow comfort zone can be an eye-opening learning experience.

For freshmen, the dorms and campus dining halls provide prime opportunities for moving past that comfort zone — yet many have noted that cultural self-segregation still occurs often.

When Multi-Racial Unity

Living Experience Student Leader Salem Joseph worked in the residence halls, she noticed domestic and international students were often reluctant to communicate with one another because they felt self-conscious.

“It was almost like there was a fear of reaching out — not necessarily that (students) wouldn’t like each other, they would almost psyche themselves out,” Joseph said. “The students who did reach out ended up having really interesting relationships.

“While difficult, it’s one of the most refreshing and enriching experiences you can have.”

African Student Union Arab Cultural Society Asian Pacific American Student Association Black Student Alliance Caribbean Student Association Chinese Students Coalition Chinese Undergraduate Student Association Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students Comunidad Latino Americana

When meeting a person from an unfamiliar culture, questions that come without assumptions are the most informative and appreciated, the comparative cultures and politics senior said.

During the school year, students can attend events geared toward learning about another culture or for meeting people of other cultures.

Office for International Students and Scholars Director Peter Briggs said those looking to connect with the international community can visit the Weekly Coffee Hour, which occurs every Friday during the fall and spring semesters.

Briggs said pushing through isolated comfort zones and meeting international students is a learning experience that provides a deeper understanding and global perspective.

“MSU purports to be transforming lives, and friendship with an international student can do that,” he said.

Events happening within the neighborhoods and residence halls also provide a social space where students can meet those of different and similar cultures, Briggs said.

Throughout the year, campus cultural organizations will host nights where

students can participate in the celebration of another’s culture or home country.

One such event, Malaysian Night, is hosted by the Malaysian Student Organization and open to all students.

The last Malaysian Night featured cultural cuisine and a performance of a Malaysian folk tale, said Syireen Saari, applied engineering sciences sophomore and multimedia coordinator for the organization.

One of the largest cultural events at MSU is the annual Global Festival, which dates back to the 1940’s.

Last year about 3,000 stu-

International and Cultural Organizations asu@msu.edu arabmsu@gmail.com apaso@msu.edu bsaemail1@gmail.com carib@msu.edu chinese@msu.edu cusa@msu.edu cius.eboard@gmail.com comunidad@msu.edu

Indian Student Organization Korean Student Organization Malaysian Students Organization Muslim Student Association North American Indigenous Student Organization Persian Student Association Thai Student Association Vietnamese Student Association

dents and residents were issued a passport upon entering. These passports could then be filled out at the more than 30 tables put on by cultural student organizations who would share information about their home country and sign the attendees name in the passport using their country’s native language.

Along with sharing information, some organizations put on unique demonstrations, such as fashion shows and yo-yo displays.

Upcoming cultural events throughout the year are often posted on the Office for International Students and Scholars’ website. msuic@msu.edu kso@msu.edu mso@msu.edu msaofmsu@gmail.com patdyer@msu.edu persian@msu.edu chenchop@msu.edu msuvsa@gmail.com

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12 Mail-home edition | Th e State News | friday, j uly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

At MSU, students can participate in at-home elections

By Derek Gartee dgartee@statenews.com The State News nn

1

2014 is an election year and students at MSU will have the opportunity to choose those who will represent them in government.

Every citizen has to make many choices when voting in elections, but for MSU students, there is an additional decision — where to vote.

Students all have their hometowns, which reside in their respective dis-

tricts and have their own candidates for elections. If a student wants to vote on those candidates, they will have to return back home on election day or fill out an absentee ballot.

An absentee ballot will “provide voters with a convenient method for casting a ballot when they are unable to attend the polls on election day,� according to the Michigan Secretary

How to Vote Absentee:

You must be registered to vote. All absentee voting applications are checked against a voter registration record. You also must have voted in a previous election, whether it was the prior election or the primary.

2

You must fill out an absentee voting application. They can be found at your local clerk’s office, or downloaded on the Michigan Secretary of State website.

Voting at MSU — How to Change your Address and Voter Registration:

1

You must first fill out a Michigan change of address/voter registration document. The document can be found on the Michigan Secretary of State website or at the local Secretary of State office.

2

When filling out the application, use the address you currently have at MSU, whether it be a dorm room, apartment or house.

3

3

4

4

Once filled out, the application must be signed and given to your local clerk. It can either be mailed or given to the clerk at the local office.

You will then receive your absentee ballot. Absentee ballots have to be filled out and given to the clerk’s office by hand, mail or by a family member by 8 p.m. on election day. You should turn in your ballot early to avoid any complications.

For students who want the experience of voting on campus, polls are set up all over the university on election day. In order to vote at MSU, however, students must first become legal residents of East Lansing.

This involves changing your legal address.

1224 Turner ¡ Old Town Lansing, MI ¡ 48906

of State website.

The absentee ballot allows students to stay on campus on election day but still vote in their home district. However, only students who have voted in person at least once before are able to vote absentee. In order to fulfill this requirement, new voters can vote in the earlier primary in person, then vote absentee on Nov. 4.

Also fill out part B of the form, which will register you to vote in East Lansing.

Mail the completed form to the Secretary of State.

5

Your voter registration card should arrive within 3 weeks, be sure to send in the document 3 weeks early to ensure your have your card on election day.

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Mail-home edition

state n e ws.com | Th e Stat e N ews | f riday, j u ly 25, 2014 |

13

Water on campus safe, despite taste

By Colleen Otte cotte@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS n n

After trekking across MSU’s large campus in the unforgiving late-summer sun, many students’ first stop before finding their classroom is the drinking fountain.

But freshmen on campus may be taken-aback by the distinct taste — and sometimes coloring — of the water. After a period of inactivity, such as after summer or winter break, the taste and coloring is often more severe.

The reasoning for MSU’s unique water is a blend of naturally-occur ring minerals.

“Iron and high dissolved mineral content” — including calcium and magnesium from the Saginaw Aquifer — account for the “objectionable”

taste, Ruth Kline-Robach, outreach specialist for the MSU Institute of Water Research, said.

MSU ’s water comes from 18 wells according Infrastructure Planning and Facilities Water Systems Manager Mike Tracy. The wells are 350 feet deep and tap into the Saginaw Aquifer.

Trac y said a l l MSU bu i ld i ng s a nd dor m s source their water from t he Sa g i n aw A qu i fe r except Brody Neighborhood and the Kellogg Center, which are connected to East Lansing’s city water.

The dissolved solids in the campus water system are an “aesthetic, not health concern,” Tracy said.

“MSU performs testing required by the Safe Dr i n k i ng Water Ac t,” Kline-Robach said. “The

“MSU performs testing required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.” Ruth Kline-Robach, MSU Institute of Water Research outreach specialist

water supply on campus is meeting all standards.”

Tracy said if any constituents are higher than the Environmental Protec t ion Agenc y specifies, they are considered contaminants and are violations.

“If we have any violations, we must claim those and report them to the public,” he said.

Tracy said they test 40 samples for pathogens and bacteria on a monthly basis, and test for volatile organic compounds every three years.

St udent s ca n a lso ex pect to receive red water alerts periodically via email, as the water

system requires routine flushing to clear the rust particles that settle out from the groundwater.

“It ’s as important to know where your water comes f rom as where your food comes from,” B et h C l aw son , Nat ural Resources and Water Quality MSU Extension educator, said.

She said MSU’s campus water and surrounding city water is just as safe — if not safer — than bottled water, given the frequent testing. To improve the taste, many students find the best option is to bring a filter pitcher to their dorm or apartment.

Aesthetically, campus

water is typical for midMichigan, but healt hwise, “MSU is very diligent to make sure everything is safe,” Tracy said.

“We’re in good shape.”

Some buildings on campus, such as East Shaw Ha l l, prov ide f i ltered water in the main halls.

A 2013 water report released in June said several contaminants pose a threat to drinking water, such as microbial and

inorganic. This includes contamination coming from the surface, especially in areas with high industrial activity. Arsenic can also threaten safe drinking water.

As a part of a water mon itor i ng pla n pre scribed by the state of Michigan, MSU is in the process of testing the amounts of lead and copper present in the water supply.

Read online | statenews.com

MSU WATER QUALITY surpasses all standards

A

s a part of a water monitoring plan prescribed by the state of Michigan, MSU is in the process of testing the amounts of lead and copper present in the water supply.

— Beth Waldon, The State News

@dtngreen

dtnmgt.com

14 Mail-home edition| Th e State News | fr i day, j uly 25, 2014 | statenews.com

Rules of the road, sidewalk often ignored by cyclists Managing editor

Simon schuster sschuster@statenews.com

U

ntil this July, I lived without a car. In my hometown and in Detroit I was car-less.

Living in the motor city, a bike was my primary way to get around. And it wasn’t especially difficult. I always rode in the road and cars kept their distance. I felt confident and rode carelessly until last fall at MSU. I was pedaling hard down Red Cedar Road on my way to class in Wells Hall. Red Cedar has no bike lanes, but bikes have

a legal right to be in the road, regardless of whether the lanes are present.

Nearly there, I was going about 20 miles an hour when suddenly my back tire fishtailed, my bike turned sideways and I flew off, sliding across the asphalt on my backpack. If I had my laptop on me, it would have certainly been destroyed.

The cause of my accident? Another cyclist. She had come barreling down a sidewalk perpendicular to the road and into the pedestrian crosswalk without looking, T-boning me in the process.

Luckily I walked away without any injuries, but I was in disbelief. Just the day before I had written a story about car-bicycle collisions on campus.

From 1993 to 2011, there were 392 accidents involving motor vehicles and

bicycles, according to MSU police. At least 334 of them occurred because a cyclist was riding and not walking their bike through a crosswalk, accounting for about 85 percent of incidents. If I had been a car, she would have been much worse off.

Sevent y percent of MSU’s roads have bike lanes, according to the most recent figures, yet the majority of cyclists stick to the sidewalk, which, throughout the mid-morning rush, become thoroughly congested.

There’s a daily tangle in many students’ commute to class — a close-quarters dance between pedestrians and bicycles as cyclists weave between throngs of students on foot, a journey punctuated by quick side-steps, the squeal of brakes and the occasional collision.

General management

“

sophomore Caitlin Van Ermen, who has experience as both a pedestrian and biker, said in a previous State News article she’s accepted sidewalk collisions on campus as an inevitability.

“You always remember the crashes. … The bicycles, the people go flying.

You laugh for half a second, then you rush to go help them,” Van Ermen said.

“Every single person on this campus, before you graduate, you get in some sort of accident, whether you’re a pedestrian or a biker.”

MSU Bikes Service Center manager Tim Potter said in the article the perception that sidewalks are safer than roadways is not entirely accurate. “(The sidewalk) has the feel of being safer, but really there’s more conflict,” Potter said. “If they’re riding their bikes through

You always remember the crashes. …

The bicycles, the people go flying. You laugh for half a second, then you rush to go help them,”

Caitlin Van Ermen, General management sophomore

the crosswalk, through an intersection, if they get hit, they have no protection (legally).”

To receive legal protection as a pedestrian, if hit by a vehicle at a crosswalk, Potter said cyclists must dismount and walk their bikes across the intersection. Potter had simple advice for cyclists at MSU — stay off the sidewalks altogether.

“Just ride in the roadways, with or without bike lanes,” Potter said.

“Be smart and predictable.”

Pedestrians also have a part to play. The river trail along the Red Cedar has a designated bike path from the Brody neighborhood to at least Bogue Street.

If you’re on foot, stay off the path. Separate spaces for walkers and cyclists make the morning commute to class less stressful for everyone.

Avoiding a bus CATAstrophe

L VIN

By Olivia Dimmer The State News nn

R idi ng a C ATA bus through campus is an e x per ience. A per son can lean more about the importance of personal space and inertia than anywhere else on campus while aboard a CATA bus.

That being said, there are some easy-to-follow rules that can make riding the bus a less traumatizing experience.

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ing CATA, students need to show their MSU ID or otherwise be stuck paying the normal $1.20 fare.

YL

AL

odimmer@statenews.com

Get Google Maps Google Maps generally has up-to-date information about CATA bus stops, arrival and departure times. While having a paper copy of route maps on hand is always a good idea, Google Maps helps to consolidate and simplify the transit process.

H av e yo u r b u s pass or fare ready before you board Everyone riding the bus knows the bus is coming when they wait at the stop — in fact, they’ve probably been waiting longer than they expected to. So have your pass, or change, and student ID ready before you get on the bus. To get the student discount while rid-

Keep headphones out when you board the bus If a pass doesn’t work on the first swipe the bus driver will ask a rider to re-swipe it or pay another way. If a rider has headphones in, the driver has to yell and holler until the rider comes back up to the front to pay their fare.

Additionally, no one wants to hear loud music blaring from someone’s personal headphones.

Don’t sit in the seats reserved for the elderly and disabled Re ser ved sea r s a re marked as such for a reason.

Sitting in the back will also make it much easier for others to board when the bus gets full, which especially applies during early morning bus rides.

Only sit in the reserved seats if the bus is full and no one needs the seat, but always be prepared to give up a seat for an elderly, disabled or pregnant person, or a person with a small child or a lot of baggage.

Th a n k t h e b u s driver These blue-shirted drivers cart students around all day and deal with sass, nonsense and disrespect.

Always thank the bus driver, because without them MSU students would be doing a whole lot more walking.

Spartan Service CATA buses running during the school year -Route 30 through South and East neighborhoods -Route 31 through Brody and East Neighborhoods -Route 39 through University Village and Spartan Village -Route 32 to and from the Commuter Lot -Route 33, the Campus Cruiser, through South and West Circle Neighborhoods -Route 34, going through Brody Neighborhood and University Village -Route 35, through South Neighborhood and Spartan Village -Route 36 through East Neighborhood

Mail-home edition

state n e ws.com | The Stat e N ews | f riday, j u ly 25, 2014 |

g

By Derek Gartee dgartee@statenews.com The State News nn

Although East Lansing has made strides to promote development throughout the city, there still remains a significant portion of buildings in the area affected by blight, or urban decay.

Trowbridge Village Located south of downtown and west of campus, Trowbridge Village is a large strip mall standing near the exit of the nearby highway.

15

rowing east lansing

The area boasts a wide range of culturally diverse shops, such as Woody’s Oasis, a Mediterranean restaurant, and a Chinese food market. It also is home to some favorite local establishments like Goodrich’s, a hometown grocer, and the small sandwich, beer and wine shop, Hobie’s.

The one major drawback of the Trowbridge Village is the lack of renovation.

“I know the history of East Lansing. All around us East Lansing is being redeveloped, except Trowbridge Road,” local resident and Wendy’s restaurant Owner Randy Isreal said.

Recently, there have been efforts to reinvigorate the blighted area.

First, in 2012, the Capital Area Transit Authority, or CATA, along with MSU and the city of East Lansing

received a grant from the state to build a new Amtrak station.

Currently, the station on Trowbridge Road is small and in need of renovations. The new 6,000- to 9,000-square-foot station will feature bus and train platforms, waiting areas, bus ticketing and baggage stations.

The Amtrak station redevelopment is slow moving, however. Construction was first slated for 2013, but was delayed to the summer of 2014. CATA officials still hold construction will be completed by mid-2015.

Trowbridge Village itself will also be receiving renovations. A city council vote on May 20 approved the building of a four story, mixed-use building on the Trowbridge Plaza site.

In addition to the large

building, which will house students as well as office space, there will be renovations to the existing strip mall.

Park District The other visible blighted area in East Lansing can be seen while walking down Grand River Avenue, the city’s main road.

The large, abandoned, grey building looms over the road with many other abandoned buildings behind it.

The area has been a source of controversy for the city for a while. Originally, the city planned to redevelop the property. The project, known as City Center II, would have demolished the existing building and created a large, 10-story, mixed-use building, a parking garage, and

commercial and residential spaces.

However, due to the recession of 2008, the project never began and the area was left untouched.

Now, the city is attempting to redevelop the area again though the Park District Project. The park district project will take some of the empty lots behind the large grey buildings

and create new, mixed-use buildings.

T he blighted buildings on Grand River Avenue, however, will remain untouched as they are still owned by the planned developer of City Center II. The city is hoping that after the first project is completed, the old developer will choose to redevelop the larger buildings.

Read online | statenews.com

Several planned East Lansing businesses encounter delays

Plans and promises were made. Final dates have come and gone. But finished results have yet to be seen. The plans for three local developments have been progressing much slower than originally anticipated. — Casey Holland, The State News

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16 Mail-home edition | Th e State Ne ws | fri day, j u ly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

Greek life leaves lasting growth, friendship On the surface, I have no reason to like Greek life. I rushed to continue the legacy my mother and sister had paved before me, and only did so because it was expected of me. I don’t drink and don’t particularly enjoy going out, so I assumed I wouldn’t fit the sorority girl mold I had seen in movies and TV, and would hate every minute of my experience before inevitably dropping out altogether.

I was very, very wrong.

As a student at Michigan State, you will quickly realize we have one of the largest campuses in the country. It’s a blessing and a curse. This university pulls in people from all over the world who want to study, watch football and basketball, and see the most beautiful winters in America, but most importantly, we want to make the best friends we will ever know and share these experiences with them.

Once I became a part of Greek life I realized why everyone in a sorority or fra-

ternity are called brothers and sisters. Every single girl in my sorority is there because they believe in something greater than the letters on a sweatshirt. They believe in sisterhood. When I’m with my sisters, we aren’t out drinking and partying, we are going to late night in Wilson Hall, binge-watching Netflix, or pulling all nighters at the library, and we are always making each other laugh. They are the friends there when you are overwhelmed with work or can’t seem to stop crying in your dorm room. They are a home away from home, and my best friends.

The people I’ve met through my sorority are some of the most dedicated and compassionate people I’ve ever met. They balance school, work, internships, community service, extracurriculars and Greek Life with grace, unlike the slackers they’re often labeled to be. And, despite the time

commitment, there’s never been a time that I felt robbed of other opportunities. I am involved with other clubs and jobs outside of my house, and I’ve never been restricted because of it. designer

haley kluge hkluge@statenews.com

Although the Greek community receives its criticisms, they have without a doubt done great things for the community. Every year, we host Safe Halloween for children of East Lansing, individual houses devote their year to raising money for their own charity and foundation, and last year during Michigan State’s Relay for

Life, the Greek community raised over $175,000 for the American Cancer Society, more than 70% of the money raised through the event itself. We devote our time into bettering our community and bettering ourselves as people, and that’s what is so beneficial about it.

But here’s the bottom line: People join Greek Life for the people.

You join them for the incredible women who you would otherwise likely not meet, the men to help motivate you to keep your head up, and the instant bond of sisterhood and brotherhood with the chance to meet some of your best friends for life.

It’s not a club or a sport where people are brought together because they share a common passion or talent; it’s better. People who are brought together under one house do so because although they are all different, they compliment each other. Life would be boring if all of your

friends were the same, and that’s what’s so great about a house. Each one of my sisters is a unique individual with completely different tastes, views and ideas that I can learn from every day.

None of us are the “cookie cutter” sorority girl, and that’s what makes it so great.

We were chosen to be in a house together because we fit together. Plain and simple.

Pledging as a member of my sorority was without a doubt the best decision I have made during my college career. I’ve made an incredible group of friends, contributed back to the community, met and made connections professionally, and have developed an unwavering support system. Even if you have no intention to join Greek Life, I urge you to get involved. Find a club, a sport, find anything. In a campus so overwhelming, find a niche that fulfills your college experience the way Greek Life has filled mine.

Panhellenic sororities on campus Alpha Chi Omega Alpha Omicron Pi Alpha Phi Alpha Xi Delta Chi Omega Delta Gamma Gamma Phi Beta Kappa Alpha Theta Kappa Delta Kappa Kappa Gamma Pi Beta Phi Sigma Delta Tau Sigma Kappa Zeta Tau Alpha The Greek fall welcome BBQ is Aug. 28.

Women’s recruitment takes place over two weekends, from Sept.

5 to Sept. 15.

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17

Take time to figure yourself out, then rush I’ve never rushed, so what do I know about Greek life aside from the stereotypes and loose rumblings? Nothing. But I do know about my own nonGreek life.

Entering studies at college is like entering the world again. It’s new. It’s strange. And it’s rife with stumbles almost every time we think we have it figured out.

But that’s OK. If something catches your eye, experiment with it, attempt to understand it.

An electrical shock from jamming a fork into an outlet may raise the hair, but it’s a lesson learned.

So, how’s any of this gibberish condemning the child-proofing of electrical outlets relate to Greek life?

Well, we’ve all heard the idealistic slogan that college is the time to “find yourself.” Yet it contains

some wisdom: college invites a sort of search-andrescue of the self, but only after it has stricken wave upon wave of confusion.

I’ve changed majors three times since arriving at college. Each time I followed intrigue.

But as I met new friends and chased interests other appealing avenues of study opened.

One might say it wasted time, but it truly cut the fat, the negative space surrounding the image — identity assurance purchased with free time and curiosity.

But that check might have bounced if the account was robbed by some John Dillinger called Greek Life.

The intention behind that analogy was not to paint Greek life as a nefarious, gun-toting, bank-sacking bandit, but as an association that consumes free

time and curiosity through required devotion.

This is not a condemnation of devotion, because devotion is the fuel of any pursuit. staff writer

michael kransz mkransz@statenews.com

Rather, it is a call to ensure Greek life is worth the devotion, which is indiscernible until one has “found themselves.”

If you arrive at college interested in going Greek, wait. Wait until sophomore year to rush. Whatever the Greek system has to offer can wait. And if

you’re not interested in going Greek, research the fraternities and sororities anyhow. But wait a year to rush.

Although many arrive at college with some of the details worked out, the plans are tentative at best. Utilize freshman year for what it is: strange and new.

Pursue interests, not institutions. Take those int r ig uing electives.

Dance to live music. Swim in Red Cedar River. Adopt a hobby. Start conversations with strangers and ask them about their interests. Go on Tinder and find your soulmate.

If Greek life still interests you, at least you’ll rush with a more accurate picture of what you want from it.

T hose in Greek life are quickly weaved into a social fabric, which is

an attractive offer for freshman who are freshly severed from their high school friends.

But don’t r ush just because you want to make quick friends or assume a sense of belonging — there are so many other ways to find friends and forge a close-knit group of people on campus.

It would be foolish to assume Greek life is the only way you will ever get invited to parties, make friends or have a smooth adjustment into college.

To claim Greek life induces some hive mind mentality would be an assumption, but it does assume a large role in the lives of its members — with all the social outings, charity events, etc.

— dictating their free time, shaping their lives and helping them “find themselves.”

Interfraternity Council member fraternities at MSU Alpha Gamma Rho Alpha Kappa Psi Alpha Tau Omega Alpha Epsilon Pi Beta Theta Pi Delta Chi Delta Kappa Epsilon Delta Sigma Phi FarmHouse Lambda Chi Alpha Phi Gamma Delta Phi Kappa Psi Phi Kappa Sigma Pi Kappa Alpha Pi Kappa Phi Psi Upsilon Sigma Alpha Mu Sigma Beta Rho Sigma Chi Sigma Nu Sigma Phi Epsilon Sigma Pi Theta Delta Chi Triangle

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18 Mail-home edition | Th e State Ne ws | fri day, ju ly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

SPARTAN SPIRIT

State News file photos

The Red Cedar Rowdies cheer on the men's soccer team during the game against Oregon State on Sept. 6, 2013, at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.

Student sections bring passion during games

By Omari Sankofa II osankofa@statenews.com The State News nn

With a historically solid basketball team, a football team coming off a Rose Bowl win and several other teams who enjoy annual postseason success, it’s no secret or surprise MSU is known for student pride when it comes to sports.

There are two student sections of note — MSU soccer’s Red Cedar Rowdies and MSU basketball’s Izzone.

Red Cedar Rowdies Founded in 2011, the Red Cedar Rowdies are the supporters’ group for the MSU soccer team. The group has also been seen at volleyball and women’s soccer games.

The fan club initially saw a rough start in its first year but has since grown in number according to journalism senior Luke Ferris, who is one of the founders of the group.

“In the last few years we’ve seen a huge growth in support and just consistent numbers, especially at big games,” Ferris said.

Members of the group are different from the typical American breed of soccer fan, according to Ferris. Chants are often more personal, and, in true soccer tradition, often go non-

stop throughout the duration of the game.

“It’s a very unique thing because we’re not like American sports fans. Soccer fans are a little different,” Ferris said. “You see it’s starting to stick, so you look at Major League Soccer and you look at the US national teams that have supporters’ groups that carry on that kind of soccer tradition of carrying on the game which is consistent cheering, songs, chants, throughout the game.”

Finance senior Regan Bartha, who joined the Rowdies in the second year its’ existence and helps lead the group during games, said opposing players have drawn yellow cards in retaliation toward the student section because of some of the chants.

“We tip-toe the line with a lot of the things that we say,” Bartha said. “We’re able to really orchestrate things. It’s a smaller group than say what the Izzone is or the student section for football games. So anything we can get across to the opposing players, it gets a lot more personal than what opposing football players or basketball players have to face.”

Bartha said he sees an average of 75 students at regular season soccer games, and he’s seen as

many as 250 during games against Michigan.

Going forward, Bartha hopes to see more “organic growth” for the Red Cedar Rowdies.

“With the World Cup, it’s really started to peak a lot of people’s interest,” he said.

“We’re really trying to make everyone aware that the group exists and that’s it’s free, inclusive. We want to expand to up to 500 members for each home game.

Izzone The spirited section of MSU basketball has long been considered one of the best in NCAA sports.

Named after MSU basketball head coach Tom Izzo, the loud, all-white fan area has ranked highly in recent lists — USA Today named Breslin Center the third-best basketball atmosphere in college sports in 2013, and NCAA ranked the Izzone the second most spirited student section earlier this year.

The Izzone has been, quite literally, a factor in previous wins for the MSU basketball team.

Against Princeton on Nov. 15, 2013, the Izzone forced the opposing team into consecutive turnovers by miscounting the shot clock, forcing violations that eventually led to a 62-53 Spartan victory.

Members of the Izzone go crazy for the Pizza House giveaway during the game against Northwestern on Feb. 13 at Breslin Center.

Then-education sophomore Chris Simons holds the Red Cedar Rowdies flag after the game against Bowling Green, Sept. 18, 2013, at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.

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19

2014 Fall sports preview Football defining wins for MSU, wins that included a 29-6 defeat over Michigan on Nov. 2 and a 34-24 win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Though a stout defense, which ranked among the best in college football, was a major factor in the wins, it was the offense that was perhaps most impressive.

At the beginning of the season, Andrew Maxwell, Connor Cook, Damion Terry and Tyler O’Connor were deadlocked in a fourway bid for the starting spot. At the end of the season, Cook was the one with a rose in his mouth and an offensive MVP honor to his name.

Next season, the Spartans will look to build on one of the best seasons in program history. The schedule, which is night-heavy, will provide a challenge for the up-and-coming Big Ten team.

Then-sophomore Key returning playquarterback Connor Cook ers — Connor Cook, junior State news file photo quarterback; Jeremy Langford, senior running back; Shilique Calhoun, junior defensive end.

2014 Games to Watch — Sept. 6: Oregon at 8:30 p.m. (away); Oct. 25: Michigan, time TBA (home); Nov. 8: Ohio State at 8 p.m. (home).

2013-14 Record — 13-1 overall, 8-0 Big Ten Rose Bowl victory notwithstanding, last season was an undeniable leap forward for head coach Mark Dantonio’s football program.

The New Year’s Day win over Stanford in Pasadena, Calif., was the last in a series of program-

Field Hockey 2013-14 Record — 14-10 overall, 4-2 Big Ten Overcoming a rough start, the field hockey team recovered dramatically last season, making its first NCAA tournament berth since 2010. The Spartans fell to Connecticut in the Elite Eight, 3-1.

The team had many struggles at the beginning of the season, including a tough schedule and an injury to Abby Barker, one of the top scorers on the team.

After starting the season 3-6, the Spartans recovered once Big Ten season began. MSU picked up key wins against Ohio State and Michigan at home and Iowa on the road.

The momentum carried through the postseason. MSU defeated Indiana, Iowa and Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament, capturing its first championship since 2009.

Graduating several key players, the field hockey team will be tasked with building off of a surprisingly successful season with younger players.

Key returning players — Abby Barker, senior forward; Allie Ahern, senior forward; Heather Howie, senior midfielder.

2014 Games to Watch — Sept. 26: Penn State at 4 p.m. (home); Sept. Then-junior forward 28: Maryland at 1 p.m. (home); Oct. Abby Barker 19: Northwestern at 12 p.m. (home) State news file photo

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Volleyball 2013-14 Record — 23-12 overall, 10-10 Big Ten For half of the season the MSU volleyball team was among the best in the NCAA. The Spartans won 16 of their first 17 games and started Big Ten season with a 6-0 record.

Then, something happened.

MSU went on to lose 11 of the remaining 17 games, going on to fall in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament to Big Ten-rival Penn State.

For half a season, the Spartans looked

Men’s soccer

Then-sophomore goalkeeper Zach Bennett State news file photo

unbeatable. Without Lauren Wicinski, Alexis Mathews and Kristen Kelsay, seniors who were key contributors last year, the Spartans will look to regain the magic they found for 17 games last year.

Key returning players — Kori Moster, senior libero; Allyssah Fitterer, sophomore middle blocker; Taylor Galloway, senior outside hitter 2014 Games to Watch — Oct. 3: Michigan, time TBA (home); Oct. 25: Penn State, time TBA (away).

2013-14 Record — 14-6-2 overall Ending in a trip to the Elite Eight, last year’s men’s soccer season could be considered the program’s best since 1968.

The team’s 14 wins set a program record. The defense help opponents to 13 shutouts, tying a program record. And head coach Damon Rensing was named the 2013 Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year, capping off a pivotal year.

With several key players returning, the men’s soccer team will look to build on a program-defining year.

Key returning players — Adam Montague, junior forward; Ryan Keener, redshirt junior defenseman; Zach Bennett, sophomore goalkeeper 2014 Games to Watch — Sept. 19: Maryland at 7:30 p.m. (away); Nov. 2: Michigan at 1 p.m. (home)

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20 Mail-home edition | Th e State Ne ws | fri day, ju ly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

At MSU, celebrations known as “Cedar Fest” are an ongoing campus tradition

By Beth Waldon bwaldon@statenews.com The State News nn

Nothing displays school spirit more than MSU’s infamous Cedar Fest. Whether there is a big win or even a big loss, students congregate in the streets and parking lots of Cedar Village, which is an apartment complex located directly across from MSU’s campus.

An on-going tradition since the 70s, Cedar Fest is known for its riots, massive crowds, arrests, drunken chants of the MSU Fight Song , and the burning of couches and trees.

Some students choose to avoid the chaos as much as they can, while others hike all the way from the opposite end of campus, just to see

what the fuss is about.

Following MSU’s Sweet 16 loss in March of 2013 , around 15 burnings were reported.

Students have been known to throw bikes, signs and furniture into massive fires.

In MSU’s most recent riot, following the Big Ten win over Ohio State, one of the students involved was arrested for starting a fire, and he was sentenced to serve 45 days in jail.

In addition to burnings, eight students involved in the recent riot managed to flip over a resident’s car. An MSU student started a fundraiser for the car owner and there was enough money raised for him to purchase a replacement.

MSU Alumnus Simran Bajwa, who was a resident at Cedar Village, participated in

Cedar Fest in 2008 and 2009.

During a riot in 2008, 28 MSU students were arrested.

Bajwa said students try to keep the tradition going, but there are so many cops who don’t let the celebrations happen for long.

“Especially when they’re burning couches and what not,” he said.

Bajwa added that during his experience, there was a display of ridiculous behavior, including women flashing their breasts and students breaking street signs.

East Lansing police have attempted to crack down on celebratory civil disturbances. Several students faced jail time last December following the Big Ten championship victory over Ohio State.

State News file photo

Students tear apart an Ohio State flag during a riot in the streets of Cedar Village after an MSU victory in the Big Ten Championship game on Dec. 8, 2013. The police and fire departments responded to multiple riots and fires across East Lansing.

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21

Debunking the myths associated with MSU Editor-in-chief

omari sankofa II osankofa@statenews.com

It ’s not u ncom mon for incoming freshmen to have preconceived notions about what college will be like. But as it turns out, freshmen don’t have all the answers. Here are some realities to the myths you may have about life at MSU. Myth — MSU is one of the top party schools in the nation.

Reality —MSU hasn’t lived up to that mon-

iker in recent years.

It’s no “American Pie.” MSU’s reputation as a party school has faltered. The Princeton Review, which creates annual lists ranking U.S. party schools, hasn’t included MSU on a list since 2011.

T his is mostly by design. Cedar Fest celebrations have given the university a bad reputation, and it’s not uncommon to see parties busted on Saturday nights.

However, this doesn’t mean MSU st udents can’t throw a good party. There’s always something fun to do on the weekends, and parties are generally left alone unless there are too many people attending. But those hoping for a weekly part y at mosphere, whic h rivals the movie “Project X,” will be disappointed.

Unless students are burning couches after a huge sports win, the parties tend to be on the tamer side.

My th — MSU lag s behind when it comes to academics.

Reality — MSU is one of the top academic schools in the nation.

That’s right, MSU is a top academic institution.

Despite the stereotype that Spartans drink beer all day (which is certainly true for some) and the almost-autocratic sports atmosphere, MSU students do find time to study.

U.S. News & World Reports ranked MSU as the 29th best public university in the nation in their most recent America’s Best Colleges rank-

ings. Kiplinger’s 2014 edition of Best Values in Public Colleges ranks MSU No. 41 overall among public universities. And MSU consistently ranks highly among research universities, an area in which MSU takes pride.

Without a doubt, students come to MSU for the sporting events and to have fun. But during welcome week, the campus is silent and libraries a re pac ked. Spa rtans know how to have fun, but there’s a limit to everything.

Myth — College is a breeze.

Reality — College is hard, but it gets better.

I nc om i ng f r e sh me n think they have college all figured out — lots of beer pong, parties and crazy

one night stands. Classes aren’t really that hard and the majority of your time will be spent making new friends, going out, and eating Panda Express until your cholesterol levels are through the roof.

As it turns out, college is hard. Not just in an academic sense, but emotionally and socially too. A lmost ever ything you complacently accepted in high school is about to become irrelevant. Graduated valedictorian in high school?

You might be headed to the Math Learning Center just to scrape by with a 2.0 average. Romantically involved with a lover back home? Good luck with that — you’re going to need it. Think you have the world figured out? You’re in for a big surprise.

Yes, college can be fun and a great time, and it truly is what you make of it. But there will be bumps in the road. You’ll have your heart broken, you’ll miss your parents, you might even fail a class or two.

But it’ll be fine. You will come out on top, ready to face the world and all of it’s challenges. College is a time for finding out who you are and what you want to do in life, but it won’t be easy. Change your major if you think it’s the right thing to do, or go home for a weekend if you need some time to center yourself.

Like everything else, college will take some getting used to — but if around 50,000 other students can do it, so can you.

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22 Mail-home edition| The State News | fri day, ju ly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

Options during a roommate conflict

how to deal with a lessthan-agreeable roommate Staff reporter

Talk to your floor’s resident assistant as an impartial party.

Go to your resident assistant about signing a roommate contract.

Go to the Housing Assignments Office to request a roommate switch.

Housing resources Email liveon@msu.edu Call 517-884-5483 Visit the Housing Assignments Office, located in room C101 in Wilson Hall.

casey holland cholland@statenews.com

Conf lict w ith roommates, whether it be small annoyances or all-out scream matches with each other, are inevitable. After all, you’re sharing a little box-shaped room with another person, sometimes a complete stranger, and have to learn how to co-exist for an entire school year.

I remember the roommate horror stories I heard during my freshman AOP

session, and even from my own friends during the school year. I heard about a girl who went in blind and ended up with a roommate who would steal her clothes. I heard about high school friends who ended up straining, and even ending, their friendship by living together.

It made the entire idea of living with another person a little unsettling. I’m not a confrontational person. It’s more my nature to keep things to myself, which doesn’t help when it comes to solving problems. You can’t work on a problem you don’t make known.

I didn’t go in blind my freshman year — I roomed with a girl I sort of knew from high school, though

we didn’t know each other very well. We agreed to room together, in a sort of spur-of-the moment way, upon learning we were both going to be attending MSU and shared a major and a love for books and coffee.

I didn’t suffer through a roommate horror story. In fact, my roommate became one of my closest friends.

That doesn’t mean we had absolutely no issues to work out. If we had a problem about keeping the room clean, we talked it out. We were considerate about turning the lights off if one of us were sleeping and compromised keeping t he smaller light on if the other had to stay up late with homework.

Room mates who do have issues with each other can fill out roommate contracts through their f loor ’s resident assistants, or R As. The contracts cover a number of different points, such as the sharing of belongings, sleep and study habits and when visitors are allowed in the room.

If there is no way two roommates can resolve their issues, each will need to make a trip to the MSU Housing Office to get a “Room Change Reque st For m.” From there, one of the roommates will be assigned to a new room.

Don’t r ule out talking with your roommate before your relationship is damaged past the point of repair. Even if you aren’t

necessarily comfortable with confronting people, that’s a comfort zone that needs to be crossed in order to live with another person.

P roblem s w i l l l i ke ly arise no matter what, and it ’s better to talk them through when they do. Compromise on what needs to be compromised on, or the problem will never go away, and the tiny dorm room will feel even smaller with all of the smothering tension.

Roommates, whether you’re going in blind or with a friend, don’t have to turn into horror stories. As long as you talk things out with each other, or even through an R A s guidance, it ’ll be possible to sur vive the cohabitation.

Residential and Hospitality Services

Women’s Recruitment Friday, September 5th - Monday, September 15th Register for Women’s Fall Recruitment: msu.mycampusdirector.com/register

Men’s Recruitment Monday, September 15th - Thursday September 18th

Join us for Greek Fall Welcome to learn more about Greek Life Thursday, August 28th from 3-7 pm at The Rock

Follow us on social media!

Facebook: MSU Greek Life Twitter & Instagram: @GoGreekMSU www.greeklife.msu.edu

apply online at jobs.rhs.msu.edu Culinary Services • Residence Education and Housing Services • Spartan Hospitality Group

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state n e ws.com | The Stat e N ews | F riday, J u ly 25, 2014 |

who’s your roomie?

The LONER Hang out? The loner would rather have some alone time. On weekends, his roommate will take long walks, or read a good book, or even boot up a video game. The loner is often absent. And probably thinks you and your friends are strange.

23

Roomates are hard to predict. Here’s a few roomie stereotypes.

THE Overachiever

Party? The over-achiever has no time for such things. Two jobs could be the norm for this roommate, and they will likely be involved in several organizations as well.

The PARTIER

The weekend never ends for this roommate. Expect the partier to own sunglasses, plenty of college T-shirts and a beer bong.

And remind them to go to class every once in awhile.

The ACTIVIST Political posters will cover the dorm walls, and they will protest for what they know is right. The activist is passionate and will pester you to fight for their cause.

C

Fortress 425 Albert Avenue (517) 333-0435 Behind the Student book Store and colorful parking ramp

EAST LANS INGʻS BEST COMI CS & GAM ES STOR E!

PLAY OPE N I DAY! FR EV E RY

C H EC K US OU T ON FAC EB OOK !

SH OP DOWNTOWN EAST LA NS ING !

24 Mail-home edition | Th e State Ne ws | Fri day, ju ly 25, 2014 | state n e ws.com

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