ING Magazine April-May 2019

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PAWS WITH A CAUSE Fostering future service dogs

DEVELOPING YOUR VOICE Using hip-hop to teach confidence and nurture creativity

FIGHTING FIRE WITH SCIENCE One MSU grad student’s contribution to the war on global warming

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FINDING HOME UPLIFTED, NOT UPROOTED A letter from the editor

BY ANASTASIA NIFOROS

What comes to mind when you think of home? What do you miss most about it? Is it the physical space in which you live or the neighborhood where you grew up? Is it your favorite restaurant? A hometown tradition? A summer hangout spot with friends? No matter the details, homes hold a central place in our lives. From creating memories to creating our very identities, they stay with us forever.

When I think of home I think of Chicago. I think of the two-flat apartment in Logan Square where I have lived my entire life. I remember summer nights spent running around the block catching lightning bugs, weekend soccer games by the lake and barbeques with the team, the high school dances and sporting events, that one winter break that was extended three days because of the deluge of snow, the hilarious train rides down on the CTA Blue Line to Lollapalooza with my best friends and walking around the corner to my favorite Mexican restaurant, El Cids.

One of my favorite memories from home was the Blackhawks parade.

That was the summer before my freshman year of college. I woke up to a beautiful sunny day with a smile on my face. I got all dressed up in my Blackhawks apparel and took the Brown Line with my best friend, Maeve, to Millennium Park. We met up with a group of friends and watched the parade. The weather was perfect and I was with my best friends being a part of one of the coolest events of the summer.

After the parade, we all went to the ledges between North Avenue and Oak Street beach, where we played games and enjoyed each others’ company. It’s times like these where I reflect back on the importance of home and this is just one of the moments when I realize how lucky I was to grow up there.

Nothing compares to the comfort your hometown brings, and sometimes it’s hard not to feel homesick while you’re away at college.

Whether you're from Michigan or out of state, we’ve all felt this way before. Moving is a part of life, though, and realizing that the community you have around you can be just as meaningful as the one you left behind can make college feel like a home away from home.

With the many faces that Michigan State University has to offer, you can find that you have shared experiences with students on campus.

With places like the comic book store, community gardens and REO town, you can find a sense of your hometown in the city of Lansing.

As Dorothy said perfectly in “The Wizard of Oz,” “There's no place like home.” Whether it’s your new house, a newfound favorite restaurant, a fresh tradition or the welcoming community that makes up your home away from home, all provide that contentment we need.

Anastasia Niforos is a senior studying journalism and professional writing with a focus in media marketing and editing and publishing. You can always find her hanging out with friends or bingewatching “Game of Thrones.” She also enjoys working out, playing IM soccer and making playlists on Spotify.

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CONTENTS april/may

ON THE COVER 4 PAWS WITH A CAUSE 16 FIGHTING FIRE WITH SCIENCE

FEATURing 6 POWER TO THE PANTY PROJECT 8 DEVELOPING YOUR VOICE

HAPPENing

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LIVing

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PAWS WITH A CAUSE

Fostering future service dogs

BY JILL CIAMPA The organization Paws with a Cause raises and trains puppies that will become future service dogs. Paws with a Cause “provides dogs to clients that will be trained as service dogs, seizure-response dogs, hearing dogs or trained to work with a child with autism,” said Megan Kempa, a junior at Michigan State University. Kempa has been volunteering to foster Fifer, an 11-month-old golden retriever.

Not only are you surrounded by puppies all the time, but you also are able to meet new people. At the weekly training meetings, Kempa was able to meet many new people and make new friends. With their support and knowledge, Kempa was able to learn about new ways to take care of Fifer and prepare him to be a great service dog.

There aren’t enough people offering to foster these dogs and many people are in need of them.

For Kempa, it was hard to find a way to have a dog while being a student and pursuing a career that would cause her not to be at home often.

“During the last open enrollment period, Paws with a Cause received 1,360 applications for an assistance dog, but Paws is only able to place dogs with about 75 applicants in a year. The only way to be able to help more clients is by having more puppy raisers!” Kempa noted.

Who doesn’t want to constantly have puppies around?

“As a pre-med student, I can’t justify taking on a longterm dog into my life. ... By taking on a Paws with a Cause puppy, I know my commitment is going to be 12 months,” Kempa said. “So I get all the fun and mentally therapeutic benefits of having a dog in college, without the uncertainty of wondering how it’s going to fit into my life at a later time … I’m giving someone a dog who will have a profound impact on their life for a decade. The fact that I can give that to someone is amazing.”

You don’t need any previous experience with raising dogs to foster a future service dog. The organization only asks that volunteers take the puppies to weekly obedience classes.

“For the most part, it’s just like owning a normal dog. You love them, play fetch, have cuddle sessions. I think the biggest difference comes down to the exposure. It’s super important to take the puppies on outings: to the store, to class, to the movies … When the puppies are full-fledged service dogs, they need to be prepared to go anywhere with their partner and be focused on their job,” Kempa stated.

4 APRIL/MAY 2019 All Photos by Jill Ciampa

This could be the most fun volunteering experience you will ever have. Kempa said, “[I] would 100 percent recommend raising a future service dog. I feel it has been the most impactful volunteering I’ve ever done.”

Embrace puppy love while having fun helping people in need.

To apply to become a volunteer, go to pawswithacause. org/i-can-help/paws-dog-volunteer. If you are in need of a service dog, go to pawswithacause.org/application.

Jill Ciampa is a professional writing major studying publishing and technical and public policy writing. She enjoys spending time reading and water-coloring. She can usually be found watching Netflix, traveling, or trying to get someone to understand her French. Follow her @jillcia on Twitter.

Photo by Megan Kempa

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Photo by Megan Kempa

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POWER TO THE PANTY PROJECT: SPREADING AWARENESS THROUGH ART AT MSU Reflecting during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

BY CAROLINE JOHNSON Last year, Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in federal prison for first-degree criminal sexual abuse.

During the seven-day court duration, 156 women gave impact statements. Since his time in court, close to 1,000 Nassar survivors have come forward.

Former Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon is under investigation and facing criminal charges.

The university’s former Interim President John Engler resigned after backlash when he claimed that Nassar survivors were “enjoying” the spotlight. A lot has happened in a year.

In that same year, Candace Keller — associate professor of African Art & Visual Culture at MSU — met Babette Shaw, an artist, poet, photographer, activist, educator and researcher.

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The two met at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, around the same time that the Nassar case broke in early 2018. Keller invited Shaw to MSU to use her art to encourage dialogue and understanding. Shaw came to MSU in January of this year as a visiting artist and scholar within the Department of Art, Art History and Design.

Her purpose at the university was to engage students and community members in “The Panty Project,” which exists within her solo exhibition “The Wash (As It Seams),” which was on display at the MSU Union Art Gallery from Jan. 21 – March 2, 2019.

Shaw began working on “The Panty Project,” a social practice project, in 2012. The project started with women’s underwear of all colors, sizes and prices — to represent women of all races and socioeconomic status — hanging

All photos by Caroline Johnson

next to one another on clothes line, which represents the common thread of womanhood. It was titled “Panty Lines: The Ladies Are Talking.” “[In 2012] political individuals were misspeaking about the function of women’s bodies,” said Shaw. “Women’s bodies and their sexuality has been long controlled. I figured that it was finally time we talk about this.”

This encouraged Shaw to perform research regarding the language used to describe women’s bodies. She found that many words used to describe women’s reproductive organs were of negative origins and held negative connotations.

“Language is a tool designed to communicate and connect and yet our language is very polarizing,” said Shaw. She sewed 24 of these words onto varying sets of women’s underwear, which became the first “Panty Portraits.”

“I’ve been making work about gender constructs and racial intersectionality,” said Shaw. “I became interested in expanding the project outside of myself and my experiences,” so she put out a call for people who identify as women to share their stories with her “because we all have a story to tell.” These individuals’ stories from all over the country — including some from the MSU community INGto Magazine 1 3/13/19 10:00 — contribute Shaw’s ad.pdf art installations.

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participate in the making of the art and help me say what needs to be said in regards to culture and society,” she said.

“This project serves to aid in the un-silencing of voices and to offer a step toward healing and transcendence,” said Shaw. This is much needed at MSU. MSU still has a long way to go before making claims that campus is a safe place for survivors of sexual assault and rape. Bringing artists like Babette Shaw onto campus reminds students and community members that the Nassar trial itself may be over, but survivors of sexual assault — including the sister survivors — are still healing. Like Babette said, “It’s not about me — it’s much bigger than me. It’s about all of us; it’s about humanity.”

Caroline Johnson is a junior professional writing major who enjoys wearing face masks while reading the last page of a book before she begins and advocating for the interrobang.

If she is not doing one of those things, she is probably at Linton Hall writing, communicating and social mediaing on behalf of MSU’s College of Arts & Letters.

Keep up with her antics on Instagram and Twitter: @ carolimejohnson.

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DEVELOPING YOUR VOICE Using hip-hop to teach confidence and nurture creativity

BY EMMA HEIKKINEN

All photos by Emma Heikkinen

“It’s alright. My first songs were about fighting people and stealing their girlfriends, too,” emcee and recording artist James Gardin said, laughing as he worked with a student during a weekly meeting at the REACH Studio Art Center.

Gardin is a teaching artist at the All of the Above Hip Hop Academy (AOTA), a nonprofit organization made up of artists, educators and advocates who mentor, support artistic expression and serve communities as a hip-hop cultural resource for the purpose of youth development.

Along with the artist Rayshawn (AKA Y’z Council), Gardin teaches classes on beat-making to local high school students. He has experience from his own musical career and other teaching roles that help him to see his role differently than a typical educator position.

“The way I look at it, we’re more collaborators and executive producers than teachers. So, more than anything, we’re just here to facilitate and bring your vision to life, and make it a polished product you can be proud of,” Gardin said.

Ozay Moore, executive director and founder of AOTA, grew up in a very arts-focused environment. “I kind of grew up as a theater brat,” Moore said. “My dad was a dance choreographer for the Paramount Theatre in Seattle… I was around music: old Motown, soul, funk and jazz records.”

The musical influence led to Moore’s early entrepreneurial ventures. “In third grade, I got a karaoke box and started

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recording tapes. I’d buy cassette singles and blank tapes and just hit record, and rap for the whole three minutes of the track, and started selling them at school.”

Moore decided to pursue music as a career instead of attending college. He signed with a label at age 18 with a group and started touring. He became a hype man and toured with a variety of people and groups, eventually signing on his own with a label out of Japan. After he and his wife, Bekah, had their first child, things changed. They decided to stay in Lansing, but Moore had his doubts.

He was worried that Lansing didn’t have the type of environment he was looking for. He remembers thinking that if he had any chance to make a decent living out of his artistry and skills, he needed a city with a stronger industry.

“It wasn’t that it didn’t exist; it was like you had to know the secret knock or who to hang out with to figure out if things were happening,” Moore recalled. “Everything else was here that I needed. So, it was just like OK, let’s get creative. Let’s create this. So, that’s how All of the Above came together.”

Moore knew he wanted the organization to provide both mentorship for young people and sustainability for teaching artists who wanted to be engaged in an academic setting with hip-hop culture. That way, AOTA could lead to the creation and stimulation of the scene and culture in Lansing in an authentic, academic way. AOTA became registered as a nonprofit organization a few years after its establishment.

Gardin remembers studying what Moore and other performers in the Lansing area would do while on stage and trying to understand the “why” behind everything. He found mentorship, which evolved into friendship and led to his involvement with AOTA. “I think, going into it, I thought we’d just be teaching these students how to make music. But it does end up being a sort of mentorship situation, where we end up being a sort of sounding board for them, or someone they can talk to with less judgement,” Gardin said. “For them, I think music is them sharing parts of themselves that they might not even want to share with everyone, and we’re giving them space to share without judgement.”

the possibility of them getting involved in, or creating in, or doing something sweet in the city they live in. That’s a whole different narrative than someone who grows up here and says that success is leaving the city. There’s possibility here, there’s industry here, and you can be a part of creating that. It’s a blank canvas.”

In the beat-making class, Gardin and Rayshawn reinforced the value of creativity. With a high-five to a young artist, Rayshawn said, “You’ll be walking in school with confidence you never knew you had.”

Interested in learning more about AOTA? Check it out at alloftheabovehiphop.org.

Moore agrees that AOTA has a significant impact on its students.

“It’s bigger than teaching them how to write lyrics,” Moore said. “They start developing confidence and their voice, and now they go to a job interview, and they feel confident going into the interview because they’re confident speaking in front of people, sharing their thoughts and ideas and who they are in front of an audience. That’s empowering.”

The influence of All of the Above and the guidance it provides has a ripple effect, according to Moore.

“Lansing [should want to] retain its talent, retain its brighteyed and bushy-tailed creatives,” Moore said, commenting on the “leave Lansing” mentality many people have had in the past. “You start painting a picture, you start seeing

Emma Heikkinen is a senior professional writing student who spends most of her time volunteering with middle school and high school students, along with doodling on every surface available. She works as an elementary curriculum writer for Riverview Church, where her work includes design, video stuff and teaching. You can find her @emheesun on Instagram and Twitter.

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THINGS TO DO THIS SPRING

BY STEPHANIE TKACZYK The days are getting longer and sunnier, and what better way to celebrate that than to step out and see what these capital city streets have to offer? Here are just a few of the super rad Lansing area events coming up this April/May that our ing staffers are the most excited to attend!

April April 5-20 will be the seventh annual MSU Science Festival, which takes place in various science buildings on the Michigan State University campus, including the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, the chemistry building, the planetarium and more! Many fun activities are planned during this festival to engage students, teachers and members of the Greater Lansing area.

Photo by David Daignault

The fourth annual StoopFest is happening at the same time as the CCFF this year, April 19-20, so while you’re checking out some cool, local independent films you’ll want to drop by and be a part of Lansing’s favorite arts, comedy and music fest of the year!

Photo by Eat Pomegranate Photography

The ninth annual Capital City Film Fest (CCFF) takes place this year from April 11-21, at various locations ranging from REO Town to the east side of Lansing.

The CCFF is the perfect event to explore Lansing’s independent film- and music-making mecca.

Photo by Linda Karbo

Photo by MSU Horticulture Gardens

The MSU Horticulture Gardens Spring Plant Show is going on the weekend of April 13-14. You won’t want to miss the MSU Student Horticulture Association’s biggest event of the year, where there will be plenty of floral shopping opportunities to get your house decked out and ready for the upcoming spring showers.

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What better way to kick off baseball season than Beerfest at the Ballpark? This event takes place rain or shine Saturday, April 27, and features over 300 different kinds of Michigan craft beer and ciders available for tasting. If you call yourself a true connoisseur of the fine wheat beverage, or you’re just looking to enjoy a couple of hot dogs with friends, then the biggest capital area craft beer event of the season is the place for you.

May Photo by Pexels.com

Photo by Ryan Logan

A few times each spring, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing puts on a really special event called Arts Night Out. If you head out to Old Town on May 3, you’ll be able to enjoy live music and make new friends, all while browsing tons of local arts and crafts on display.

If you feel like getting artsy, but aren’t ready to brave the outdoors just yet, then the MSU Spring Arts and Crafts Show at the MSU Union is the perfect event for you this spring. It takes place on the same days of the ELAF, May 18-19, so drop by one or both to immerse yourself into the whole East Lansing art show experience.

Photo by LeRoy Harvey

On May 19, the mid-Michigan Bluegrass and Folk Jam Concert is taking place at the Woldumar Nature Center and it’s a totally free event (although donations are encouraged). Bring any instrument you like to join the informal outdoor jam session and meet tons of other musically minded individuals just looking to spread some beautiful noise.

Photo by Ryan Logan

There’s nothing like a little acoustic ukulele music to ring in mid-Michigan finally getting some warmer weather. This year marks the ninth year for Old Town’s Mighty Uke Day, which goes May 10-12 and will feature concerts, open mics and instrument tutorials.

Photo by Stephanie Tkaczyk

Photo by Tim Lane

The East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) is a local favorite among the MSU community when it comes to exploring the most beautiful handmade goods and pieces of artwork that the state of Michigan has to offer.

It’s happening this May 18-19, so be sure to bring your artsiest friends on down for a good ole crafty time!

Quite possibly the most important event of this spring season for many, the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) and City Pulse’s Margarita Fest, is happening on May 31. Come dressed in your wildest tropical attire and taste all of the best margaritas from the top bars and restaurants of the area!

Stephanie Tkaczyk is a senior majoring in kinesiology who enjoys stressing herself out by taking unnecessary writing classes in order to satisfy her creative side. She loves finding new music more than anything, in addition to traveling to every place on the planet and spending time with other people who watch too many movies. You can follow her on Instagram @hotsteph24.

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All Photos by Sarah Nowack

Comic Book Shops Everyday heroes

BY SARAH NOWACK Contrary to what the media may portray, comic book shops are probably some of the most welcoming environments you’ll ever find yourself in. Walk into any local comic book store and you’ll be surrounded by thousands of stories, both in print and in person. You’ll meet people who are happy to share their interests with the hopes of bringing another friend into the fold.

In the age of digital media though, how do these stores stay in business? How do they keep people coming through their doors and make sure sales are high enough to keep the lights on? The answer, it seems, is to branch out, diversify, and provide valuable resources for their fellow nerds and gamers.

For stores like East Lansing’s Hollow Mountain, this means offering other services, such as free complete-pull service where you can request a specific story arc or series, and they’ll pull the issues and gather them for you to pick up in bulk. They also keep a stock of current graphic novels from each of the major publishers so you can jump right into anything you find interesting.

Hollow Mountain, and many other stores like it, don’t just rely on comic sales, however. They also sell a myriad of tabletop gaming gear, including popular games like “Settlers of Catan” and plenty of RPG (role-playing game) accessories like dice and cards. They also host weekly Pokémon League tournaments on Tuesdays and public board game nights on Wednesdays.

Some shops don’t sell comics at all anymore, and instead have turned their shops into “nerd havens.” Fortress Comics on Albert Avenue no longer deals in comics and graphic novels, outside of a few rare and exclusive issues here and there. Instead, it specializes in tabletop gaming supplies: guidebooks, miniatures, paint, dice, maps, board games and art supplies. Everything you’d need to create a more immersive gaming experience or find yourself a 14

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new hobby. They also host weekly events, like LARPing (live action role playing) every other Saturday, sessions of the “Dungeons and Dragons” Adventurers League on Tuesday and Friday evenings and “Magic: The Gathering” tournaments each month.

It seems that modern comic book shops have essentially evolved into geek community centers. They may not all host basketball youth leagues, but they provide a public space for gaming, competing and storytelling. They are safe havens for nerd culture, and they’re a great place to make new friends.

“The best part is the people, meeting so many varied, different people,” said Fortress’s proprietor Jeremy Plesco.

“The coolest part is interacting with people I might not have on the street, but only because I didn’t realize we had shared interests.”

If you have any interest in tabletop gaming, reading the comics that all those superhero movies are based on, testing your strategy against your fellow “Magic” players or painting miniatures and dioramas, there’s no better place to find friends than a comic book shop. They’re a veritable fount of knowledge and resources, so expect critical discussions, competitive edge and, of course, a warm welcome. Stop by for a drop-in session of “Dungeons and Dragons” or ask for a recommended reading list. Bring your kids, bring your date, bring your friends! There’s something here for everybody, but one thing you’re sure to find here is a community.

Sarah Nowack is a junior professional writing major who is minoring in graphic design. She works for the MSU Libraries Publishing Services Department as a print and design intern. She enjoys playing video games, eating outrageous foods and, above all, making terrible dad puns. She can be found at @battlerouge on Twitter and @shiverbound on Instagram.

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All Photos by Sandra Firestone

COMMUNITY GARDENING The social, health and environmental benefits

BY JILL CIAMPA The Greater Lansing Food Bank sponsors the Garden Project throughout the Lansing area, which provides gardening supplies, educational tools and a network to build community gardens. The Food Bank states that it “Supports a network of more than 125-plus community gardens and more than 400 home gardens, serving an estimated 7,000 people.”

These gardens provide instruction to people interested in gardening and becoming self-sustainable. A self-sustainable growing community allows for people to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, benefiting their own health and the environment.

Gardening can increase cardio and educate participants about healthy food options. Plus, being able to harvest food as soon as it ripens means that the food spends less time sitting in a grocery store. Gardeningmatters.org even reported that, “Almost 50 percent of the transported food is lost to spoilage,” meaning that half the food big companies try to grow gets thrown away anyway!

Growing food throughout the community can prevent detrimental additions to climate change by decreasing the amount of fumes released when transporting food and decreasing the amount of pesticides used. Adding more plants to an area by doing things like planting gardens can also decrease runoff. When it rains, soil is less likely to move, which can cause property damage and pollute water sources.

Greenleafcommunities.org also states that community gardens “Lead to decreased crime rates in a community, increased property value and increasing economic opportunities.” Gardeningmatters.org found a report from the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Urban Planning that stated, “In Milwaukee, properties within 250 feet of gardens experienced an increase of $24.77 with every foot, and the average garden was estimated to add approximately $9,000 a year to the city tax revenue.”

They also found a report from the American Journal of Community Psychology that stated “Scientific studies show that crime decreases in neighborhoods as the amount of

green space increases, and that vegetation has been seen to alleviate mental fatigue, one of the precursors to violent behavior.” When people interact in a community event, they get to know the people around them and that can decrease stress. When people feel connected, they are less likely to feel or act violently toward them.

Many people gain personal benefits from contributing to a community garden. Emily Nicholls from the Hunter Park GardenHouse, part of the Allen Neighborhood Center, states that, “There are many examples of small gardens as well as large urban farms around the neighborhood, and we continually help neighbors find a production style that suits them.”

Jim Coty, leader of the Northwind Garden, explains that, “The gardeners grow produce for their own use .... There is benefit to simply growing community by offering this opportunity for people to connect in a common enterprise.”

Children have many opportunities to contribute and learn from community gardens. “We love to see children in the garden and [the Hunter Park GardenHouse] offers two programs for them to join us there (Take Root and the Youth Service Corps)” said Nicholls. “Many neighborhood children know of the GardenHouse as a safe and welcoming place.”

Nicholls states, “(Their) hope is that neighbors become empowered by growing their own food, as well as healthier by eating fresh vegetables and spending time outdoors.

The neighborhood has become more vibrant and livelier ... offering a community to folks excited by growing food.”

To become a part of your local community garden, go to greaterlansingfoodbank.org and search for community gardens.

Jill Ciampa is a professional writing major studying publishing and technical and public policy writing. She enjoys spending time reading and water-coloring. She can usually be found watching Netflix, traveling, or trying to get someone to understand her French. Follow her @jillcia on Twitter.

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FIGHTING FIRE WITH SCIENCE One MSU grad student’s contribution to the war on global warming

BY STEPHANIE TKACZYK

With Earth Day right around the corner, now is the perfect time of year to shine a light on those in our community who have devoted their lives to better understanding the physical world so that the rest of us might learn how to protect it.

Graduate student Raven Mitchell is 22 years old and currently going for her Master of Science in the Michigan State University (MSU) geography program. Her educational journey began at Northern Michigan University (NMU), where she earned a degree in earth science.

While at NMU, Mitchell switched majors from environmental science to earth science in order to ensure she would be more a part of the hands-on research. She eventually made the choice to further her studies in graduate school.

“Pursuing my master’s at MSU is allowing me to get the work done that I’ve always believed in.” said Mitchell.

“That never would’ve happened if I had gone the more commercial route of environmental science. I’ve never thought of myself as the face of this cause, or even that good at communicating why this is important, but I like being a part of the work.”

Aside from the promise of direct participation in scientific research, Mitchell has expressed her contentment with the geography department and its all-encompassing ether.

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“The culture at MSU is very open and welcoming,” said Mitchell. “I really like how interdisciplinary the program is and getting to converge with so many different perspectives. Students in the program come from areas all over the world, and it’s a very refreshing atmosphere to learn and work within.”

"Mitchell’s main thesis is based in trying to quantify the role of flowing water in the formation of large staircasetype landforms called cryoplanation terraces, commonly found in periglacial regions in Atlin, British Columbia.

She is also working on a project in conjunction with her master’s thesis called the Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring Program (CALM).This interest in Arctic research was first sparked when Raven was introduced to her now academic advisor, Dr. Frederick Nelson who is a prominent Arctic scientist and has helped to shepherd her master’s thesis work. CALM has been measuring the changing thickness of permafrost levels for over 25 years now and has around 200 sites across the Antarctica and Arctic regions where researchers are observing this thaw."

“Permafrost is any type of ground that has been frozen continuously for a minimum of two years, and it has an upper layer called the active layer which thaws seasonally,” said Mitchell. “Every August, we record the depth of this layer and, in response to rising global temperatures, the extent of active layer thickness is increasing in Alaska.

Permafrost is a reservoir of greenhouse gases, and the degradation of it increases the potential for previously

frozen gases to be released into the atmosphere.”

Aside from the major release of global warming gases, permafrost thaw may also lead to the crumbling of infrastructure, altered natural landscapes and the potential release of ancient microbial diseases. So having an up-todate sense of global warming’s effects in these areas can be extremely vital information for those living in these communities.

Permafrost is widespread mainly in the arctic regions, including both Canada and Alaska, where Mitchell has spent many hours of field work research. These regions are highly sensitive to the effects of global warming. This is particularly frightening in places like Alaska, where nearly 85 percent of the state sits on a layer of permafrost.

When asked of what inspires her to continue this research, Mitchell stressed the urgency of prioritizing the sciences despite an adversarial political climate in the United States today.

“There are a lot of people who hold power in this country and have the resources to bring about vital environmental revolution, but they still remain skeptics of climate change, and this is a major problem,” said Mitchell.

It is this motivation that encourages Mitchell to keep herself from sitting on the sidelines of environmentalism.

While many people make small lifestyle changes, like opting out of straws in our drinks or setting up compost bins in our homes, Mitchell continues to take the road less researched.

“I was not really brought up in the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ renaissance,” said Mitchell. “I was just brought up around science, and I’ve learned to go that route if I want to see results in the world.”

Mitchell credits her partner in field research, Kelsey Nyland, as being highly influential on her; as she continues to navigate her future in a field where she’s often an underrepresented figure.

“The field of physical geography is very dominated by white men, and it’s powerful to have had a female mentor as an example to look to through this experience,” said

Mitchell. “She is a very strong-willed and hardworking person who’s devoted her life to working long hours in tough climates. She’s taught me that it takes a hard-ass to stick out a life in earth science; you have to be really devoted to the work.”

Mitchell intends to expand on her mentor’s research once Nyland leaves MSU and accepts a postdoctoral position at George Washington University at the end of this semester. The pair has clocked hundreds of research hours collectively. Unfortunately, their work can often be left up to the fate of tempestuous skies. Still, in rain or shine, field work season remains Mitchell’s favorite part of this research.

“Enduring the bad-weather days can be discouraging in moments, but I get to spend three months out of the entire year doing what I love. I’m not sure I would cherish the experience as much if I weren’t going all in on it during the summer; it is so much more immersive that way.”

In more ways than just academic, Mitchell can reflect on her long days of fieldwork and admit that she’s been highly affected by these excursions.

“Before all of the field work experiences, I was not that great with change. I’ve always liked a strict schedule, but I had to get flexible and learn to be accommodating in any situation. I know I’m a better person for that now.”

After earning her master’s, Mitchell hopes to go for her doctorate, and eventually dreams of teaching at a university as an ultimate goal. Currently, Mitchell is getting her first teaching experience as she’s taken on the role of TA for a remote sensing course at MSU, which deals with the logistics of drones and aerial imagery in physical geography. Nonetheless, wherever she ends up career-wise, Mitchell promises to stay alert in her intake of news to remain a diligent ally in the ongoing quest for scientific integrity.

“I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the physical world, but my time in college has taught me to question any information I’m fed. I don’t just subscribe to anything; I’ve learned to inquire about where any research comes from and look deeper to find the truth.”

All Photos by Raven Mitchell

Stephanie Tkaczyk is a senior majoring in kinesiology who enjoys stressing herself out by taking unnecessary writing classes in order to satisfy her creative side. She loves finding new music more than anything, in addition to traveling to every place on the planet and spending time with other people who watch too many movies. You can follow her on Instagram @ hotsteph24.

MYINGMAG.COM

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COOKing

HELLO FRESH

Photos by Emma Heikkinen

Meal Kit Delivery Services What are they? Why are they so popular?

BY OLIVIA CASWELL Grocery shopping is considered to be a hassle for many adults who work all day. Students who go to school full time often consider making a meal to be either a luxury or a chore. Ask an adult with children at home and they will lament having to grocery shop and then cook every night.

College students with a full load of school, and often work, say cooking is a luxury that gets in the way of balancing studying and socializing.

Meal kit delivery services have been on the rise for awhile now. Many services began their journeys in 2011 and 2012, with Blue Apron and HelloFresh being two powerhouses representing the industry. In 2019, the market for meal kit services has now doubled, and more and more people are giving meal services a try.

The popularity of these meal kits has sprouted a variety of meal kit services that also range in preferences. Green Chef is a company that serves vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other diets with certified organic ingredients. While it still offers omnivorous and carnivorous options, its main plans are plant-based with recipes such as vegan crab cakes.

The appeal of these products is simple. A quick online sign-up and users can pick out recipes based on dietary preferences, family plans or a two- to four-person servings plan. Many users incorporate the prices of the services into their budgets or split the cost among roommates. There is an ease to having pre-portioned ingredients and detailed recipe instructions, as well as the option of choosing and having groceries sent directly to a person’s home. The idea of grocery shopping after having meals delivered is something that grocery stores can’t contest.

There are also meal kits marketed toward children. Raddish Kids is a meal kit service delivered monthly and includes a themed box. These fun additions are intended to teach children not only culinary lessons, but also science, math, history, culture and creativity lessons. Most other kid-centered meal kits such as Yumble Kids and Nurture Life are delivered on a monthly basis, but also emphasize learning, responsibility and healthy eating for children.

In a time when convenience is emphasized, meal kit delivery services that started with a niche target audience have expanded to a degree that no one expected. A much wider audience now feels that the pressures of unbalanced work and social lives don’t need to keep them from winding down and making a delicious meal.

Olivia Caswell is a junior professional writing student focusing on editing and publishing.

When she is not fervently organizing her Spotify playlists, she can be found laughing at jokes that were popular in 2013 or staring at the severely unbalanced numbers that are her followers vs. her following on all social media platforms. Please follow her @oliviacaswell on Twitter and @oliviacaswell98 on Instagram.

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RADDISH KIDS

Photos by Olivia Caswell

INVESTIGATing

Flat Out

Flat-rate tuition explained

BY SARAH NOWACK

Michigan State University has been squirming under the national spotlight and media microscope as of late, and amidst the power vacuum and general mayhem, it has managed to slip some internal restructuring through the cracks. It’s largely gone unnoticed, and unannounced.

For those caught unaware, the coming fall semester begins the implementation of flat-rate tuition for MSU students, meaning as long as you take between 12 and 18 credit hours each semester, (roughly four to six classes), you will be charged the same flat rate. Students will no longer be charged by credit hour, as they have in previous years, and as is standard across the nation. Instead, students who maintain the minimum hours to be considered full time will have the opportunity to take up to 18 credits worth of classes each semester without worrying about how they can afford it. This also means that students who fall above or below this recommended range will be charged by the per-credit-hour policy.

You may be thinking that this sounds perfectly reasonable, but considering the actual logistics of this may paint a different picture. According to the Office of Admissions, in the 2017-18 school year, freshmen and sophomores paid $482 per credit hour, and juniors and seniors paid $543 per credit hour. If a student were to take the 12 credit hours needed to be considered full time, they could expect to pay between $5,784 and $6,516 per semester, or $11,568 13,032 a year, depending on how far along in their degree they were.

For the 2018-19 school year, credit hours will range from $482 - $555, again depending on your class status.

Unfortunately, they aren’t charging by individual credit hour, they’re charging everyone the base estimate for their grade level at 15 credit hours. Under flat-rate tuition, all students will be charged between $7,230 and $8,325, coming to roughly $14,460 - 16,650 a year. These numbers don’t include room and board, which the Office of Admissions estimates will come to around $10,272.

Those hit the hardest by this change will be out-of-state, international and non-traditional students, who already pay more.

This is a dramatic jump, attributed to the assumption that students will take on more classes to make the increase worth it. But that isn’t necessarily the case. For many students, 12 credit hours is already a lot of work. Career Services on campus claims to have roughly 17,000 students on MSU’s payroll in a given year, and many students seek employment off campus, on top of seeking out internships and positions in their desired fields. Anyone who has worked multiple jobs knows it can be hard to multitask and time-manage, but imagine you’ve got to juggle four or five jobs at a time, with take-home work for each, on top of maintaining a social life and finding time for clubs and extracurriculars that will bolster your resume for future employment, do laundry, eat and sleep!

Whatever may come of the following school year, it’s very apparent that this tuition change has more to do with financial and reputational gain than it does with benefiting the students. One can only speculate the impact it will have on the university in years to come.

Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom

Sarah Nowack is a junior professional writing major who is minoring in graphic design. She works for the MSU Libraries Publishing Services Department as a print and design intern. She enjoys playing video games, eating outrageous foods and, above all, making terrible dad puns. She can be found at @battlerouge on Twitter and @shiverbound on Instagram.

MYINGMAG.COM

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PHOTOGRAPHing

HUMANS OF MSU We’re all human

BY ANASTASIA NIFOROS “I am from the Chicagoland area in the northwest suburb of Palatine. I am just a 40-minute train ride to the Loop and although there are a million amazing restaurants in Chicago, my favorite burger lies in Palatine, Illinois.

Brandt’s is a locally owned pub in an old farmhouse with loads of charm. They have mouthwatering half-pound burgers that I crave every time I am home, but what makes it even better is always running into people you know when you’re there.

I have been going to Brandt’s since I was 3 or 4 and used to always play eye spy with my brother while we waited for our food and sipped kiddy cocktails.

Brandt’s is packed with good memories and great people who grew up alongside me, I’ll never pass up the opportunity to catch up with friends over a Brandt’s burger. Brandt’s is as close to a hometown joint as you can get in the Chicago metropolis, I think that’s why we hold it so close to our hearts.”

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“My favorite thing about my hometown is the location. I live right outside the historic downtown of Ellicott City that has been around since 1772. This small downtown, with brilliant historic buildings, allowed me to have a small-town feel and support many local businesses. It always gave me a very cozy feeling, whether it was sitting in the local coffee shop or talking to a local artist about his work and clothes prints. My hometown is located 15 minutes outside of Baltimore and around 50 minutes outside of Washington D.C. This allowed me to also experience city life, which can be anything from nightlife to sports games and even protests. I credit my hometown location for molding me into the person I am today and allowing me to see three different types of hometowns all in one while growing up.”

“My hometown is Naperville Illinois. What I love most about being home is seeing my family, friends and all of the guys I grew up playing hockey with. I come from a hockey family so going to my little brother's games, and cheering him on is always a great time. All of my friends turned 21 in the last year so catching up at the bars with everyone is something that I always look forward to. It’s great to hear about everyone’s lives at different colleges, and what path they are going down with their future endeavors. Besides hanging out with friends and family I also look forward to walking around downtown Naperville, going into stores and saying hi to people I went to high school with. I don’t get the chance to be home very often so I always try to make the most of it by being with all of the people I care about.”

All Photos by Anastasia Niforos

“I grew up in Livonia, Michigan from around sixth grade until I graduated high school. One of the biggest things I miss about home is being around my family – I really miss my mom making us food all the time, especially being in college and eating the same four things every day. I also miss just hanging out all together at the dinner table talking about random things. Now that we’re all in different cities, I miss how easy it was to spend time as a whole family without having to do much planning to make that happen. Another thing I loved about home is that my room had a big bay window with a bench I could sit on, which I always thought was super cool as a kid. My dog Moose also loved sitting there, and I miss coming home from school to him just chilling in my room and staying there for hours.”

“My favorite holiday tradition is getting together with my family and making Christmas cookies and decorating the tree. It’s so fun because even though all of my siblings are in college or graduated, we can all come together and spend time for the holidays. Also, for hometown traditions, every August in a little town near me called Milford there is a big craft show, Milford Memories, that everyone around the area goes to. It’s fun to see everyone I went to high school with and catch up every year.”

Anastasia Niforos is a senior studying journalism and professional writing with a focus in media marketing and editing and publishing. You can always find her hanging out with friends or bingewatching “Game of Thrones.” She also enjoys working out, playing IM soccer and making playlists on Spotify.

You Can’t Find What You Aren’t Looking For Approximately 40% of people diagnosed with breast cancer found the lump themselves. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel, getting yearly mammograms and understanding your risk of breast cancer may lead to an earlier diagnosis. Early detection saves lives.

Learn more and find resources at KomenMichigan.org or call (616) 752-8262

MYINGMAG.COM

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LIVing

WHAT DOES ‘HOME’ MEAN TO YOU?

An account from all areas of life

BY MADISON SIMMERS

“Home can be anything; it can be a forest and all by yourself in solace. It’s wherever you find your solace.”

– Nick Miller

Brick by brick, a house is made, but it's the human element which makes it a home. There’s no distinct or succinct way of describing “home” because, from all areas of life, someone has their own definition. According to an online survey, here is what “home” means to the respondents:

“Home is where my family is.

Wherever that may be. Home is warm and comfy and safe and that’s how I feel when I’m with my fam.”

– Beth Dwornick

“Home is where I can't wait to take my new daughter and fiancée to in a couple of days. Until Monday, it was just a house. Once we all get there, it will be our home!”

– Robert Maracle Jr.

College is a time when ‘people’ start to become home because it’s a sort of limbo between a home you’ve known your whole life and a home you're supposed to be creating for yourself.”

– Sydney Landon

“A house is cold. A home is warm. Nothing is better than when the family is together, and the love flows.”

– Bonnie Herzog

HOME, it’s how I remember 80 percent of the Great Lakes” – Gary Kearns

“Home is where the heart is, that’s my all-time favorite … it’s more than a place.

It’s family, love and friendships within.”

– Lynnette Elden

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“Home is where I find my truest self. It is where my family is. It is my sanctuary.”

– Amelia Turkette

“Home is where family and friends are free to be themselves.”

- Carol Sysol

“I think home is wherever a person feels the most comfortable. Coming home can refer to a region as well as a house. I grew up in Taylor and as a young man moved away and stayed away for many years but eventually I moved back and was overcome by the feeling that I was finally returning home” -Denny Herwig

Madison Simmers is a senior studying advertising management and professional writing with a focus in editing and publishing. You can always find her with tea in hand and ready to take the day head on. If not, she’s binge-watching YouTube videos or watching “Cheers.”

All Photos by Caroline Johnson

QUIZZing

CAN WE GUESS YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE BASED OFF YOUR NIGHTTIME ROUTINE? It’s a lot more telling than you think

BY CAROLINE JOHNSON

Do you keep your work/school clothes on when you get home from a long day?

A) No, I need sweatpants on ASAP. B) Yes, I actually prefer my work wear.

C) I’ll make dinner and then change after that. Food comes first.

What are you cooking for dinner?

A) A green salad.

B) Something I saw on Buzzfeed Tasty earlier.

C) Not sure yet, probably pasta.

Do you check your work/school email after 5 p.m.?

A) Obviously, I need to stay on top of my stuff.

B) Yes, but I’ll only respond if it’s an emergency.

C) The workday ends when I walk out the door, thank you very much.

How do you define “self-care?”

A) Binge-watching a true crime docuseries.

B) Reading a good book.

C) Taking a bath and putting on a face mask.

Do you exfoliate?

A) Whenever my skin is dry and flaky.

B) What? Never.

C) Weekly.

Do you shower in the morning or at night?

A) I strictly shower in the morning.

B) I shower whenever my hair stops retaining dry shampoo.

C) Going to bed dirty? No thank you! I always shower at night.

How do you feel about sleeping with a flat sheet?

A) Yes, of course. And I make my bed every morning.

B) Why is this even a question?

C) N E V E R.

ANSWERS Mostly A’s:

You have a no-fuss routine.

You put some thought into what products you’re buying, but you wouldn’t consider yourself a skin care maniac.

You’re convinced that people who spend more than $15 on a moisturizer have something wrong with them, but occasionally you’ll dabble with Mario Badescu or The Ordinary if you need a little something extra on a budget.

Mostly B’s:

You have more important things to worry about.

You don’t know a thing about skin care, or you just have great skin and have never even thought about it. To you, “washing” your face is a 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner and body wash that sometimes runs down your face when you’re in the shower.

It’s not advised, but hey, if you’re too busy, you’re too busy.

Mostly C’s:

You are a skin care queen.

You live for the 10-15 minutes where you can relax with a mud or sheet mask every night. Cetaphil, who? You spend the big bucks on products from Drunk Elephant, La Mer and TATCHA because skin care is self-care.

Caroline Johnson is a junior professional writing major who enjoys wearing face masks while reading the last page of a book before she begins and advocating for the interrobang.

If she is not doing one of those things, she is probably at Linton Hall writing, communicating and social mediaing on behalf of MSU’s College of Arts & Letters.

Keep up with her antics on Instagram and Twitter @ carolimejohnson.

MYINGMAG.COM

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BUDGETing

7 Easy Ways to Go Green in College By: Deidre Davis, MSUFCU’s chief marketing officer When you’re in college, you may not have time to think about being eco-friendly. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult.

You can help protect and preserve the environment by implementing small changes to your daily routine.

Here are seven ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and go green while you’re a student.

5. Power usage reduction

1. Electronic notes

6. Save energy

Taking notes from your lectures electronically using your laptop, tablet or even your cell phone is one way to reduce paper use (and therefore trees). And you’ll save money by not purchasing as many notebooks or flashcards.

2. Reusable bags

When it’s time to go grocery shopping, take along reusable bags instead of opting for paper or plastic. By not using plastic bags on every grocery trip, you will reduce a lot of unnecessary garbage.

3. Refillable water bottle

Some environmenal experts estimate that 80 percent of water bottles in the U.S. are never recycled. By 2050, this could equate to more pounds of plastic in the ocean than fish. You can help avoid this by purchasing a refillable water bottle and using it consistently.

4. Walk or cycle

Reducing your driving time can help you live a healthier lifestyle, save you money on gas and help keep the air cleaner.

There are also many physical and mental benefits to simply switching to cycling and walking. Plus, you may find yourself in a better headspace when you make these healthier choices.

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It’s simple: when you leave a room, turn off the lights and all other electronics or appliances. Unplug any chargers that aren’t being used. Being mindful about saving electricity can help you to save a lot of money (not to mention the Earth!) long-term.

Setting your thermostat a few degrees lower in winter and a few degrees higher in summer saves on heating and air conditioning, respectively. Use blankets and extra layers instead when it’s cold outside, and cool off with an energyefficient ceiling fan or a quick, cold shower when it heats up.

7. Save water

Start by turning off the water when you brush your teeth and wash your face, then reduce your shower time by a few minutes. Little changes like this will save a lot of water and require little sacrifice.

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union can help you in your quest to become eco-friendlier. We offer totally free checking accounts with paperless statements, and our mobile app and online banking system, ComputerLine, make it easy to schedule bill payments, and use eDeposit. Also, by using the mobile app instead of visiting a branch, you are reducing emissions and saving gas money. For more information, visit msufcu.org.

Deidre Davis is the chief marketing officer at MSU Federal Credit Union. MSUFCU’s headquarters are at 3777 West Road East Lansing, MI 48823.

Contact Deidre at deidre.davis@msufcu.org or (517) 664-7877.

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE YOU A SKILLED PHOTOGRAPHER? WANT TO BE PUBLISHED IN A MAGAZINE? ing Magazine is looking for freelance photographers to contribute to the monthly publication.

If you’re interested, please email Ami at ami@m3group.biz with your experience, along with three samples of your work.

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Congratulations, Spartan!

Graduating from college is a huge accomplishment. As you enter the next phase of your life, remember MSUFCU is here to help make that transition as smooth as possible.

The same friendly and convenient service you’ve grown to rely on doesn’t end when you walk across the graduation stage.

Receive MSUFCU’s lowest loan rates for credit cards, auto loans, computers and more, regardless of your credit score, or if you don’t have credit established. Plus, there are no application fees.

Take advantage of our spring 2019 graduate specials today.

LEAVING EAST LANSING? If your plans are to move away, don’t forget to take MSUFCU with you. Give us a call, chat online, or send us a message — we’re here to help.

Visit msufcu.org/gradspecials for more details!

Federally insured 26 APRIL/MAY 2019

by NCUA