August 31, 2021 - Welcome Week 2021 by The State News

Michigan State’s Independent Voice

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MSU Homecoming 2021: Introducing the court and what to expect

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The State News’ summer 2021 diversity report Staff demographic breakdown PAGE 22-23

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Vol. 112 | No. 2

TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Karly Graham

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EDITOR’S NOTE

This year you’re the priority: Our commitment to sharing the stories that make up MSU

Editor-in-chief Karly Graham and managing editor Jayna Bardahl in front of The State News. Shot on Aug. 30. Photo by Lauren DeMay By Karly Graham and Jayna Bardahl kgraham@statenews.com jbardahl@statenews.com The past year has been full of a lot of the same buzzwords. We wrote them. You read them: COVID-19. Pandemic. Health. Quarantine. Isolation. Zoom. Vaccines. We’ve spent so much time focused on the darkness that comes with a pandemic. Let’s be

honest: stories about viruses are kinda downers. Yes, The State News will continue to keep you informed about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — and the many variants that come with it — but we’re ready to bring some new stories to light: Like, what dorms will inevitably have a dryer fire? How long will it be before Izzo retires? Which apartment complex on

Michigan Avenue will actually fill up? How did Landshark go from a forbidden basement to a revamped Friday night hangout? We’ve even let you in on an age-old State News secret about our coveted queso, guac or salsa debate. The State News is a student newspaper, and we don’t want to lose focus of that. As students, we offer a unique perspective many of our competitors can’t. We know what students care about. We know what students want to see because we’re students too. There’s a story waiting to be written in each residence hall, each lecture building and even at Cedar Village for a semi-annual couch burning. This year, no story will go untold. If Olivia Rodrigo releases an album, we’ll be ready to record an episode of our arts and entertainment podcast Houselights. If a basketball player gets a meaningful tattoo, we’ll get a feature on it. As journalists, we are taught to always observe, and take in our surroundings. Find the things that seem out of place. Ask questions about them. Things might be weird this year, but we’ll always ask

questions. Always observe. Spot the little things that might be out of place. As we see a return to campus, we’re excited to have more to keep an eye out for. This year, we are going to push to have some of our best content possible.

“As students, we offer a unique perspective many of our competitors can’t. We know what students care about. We know what students want to see because we’re students too.” Karly Graham Editor-in-chief Jayna Bardahl managing editor

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Our content will be shared in many different ways. As we transition back to our newsroom, we are excited to increase the collaboration between our writers and multimedia reporters. Each story will be strengthened with photography that brings you into the setting. You can listen to our reporters break down their reports on our podcasts and videos. We will continue to challenge ourselves in our sourcing. For the past year we’ve tracked the people we talk to in an effort to advocate for diversity in our reporting. We share a semesterly diversity report with our readers as well, breaking down the different people we have employed here at The State News. We will continue to incorporate both of these strategies because we know that despite our efforts in the past, this is an area we can consistently continue to improve in. We’ve been lucky: We’re one of the last remaining financially and editorially independent collegiate student newspapers. We’re even able to pay our staff. A position at this paper is more sought after than you would think, so we’re implementing a freelance pool that will allow

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for students to pitch and write stories to be published on our site. It’s our hope this pool gives the maximum number of students interested in The State News the opportunity to see their byline on the site. We know how important real-world experience is, especially in this industry, and as fellow student journalists we want to extend a helping hand. We’ve set the bar high for ourselves this semester, but we will not be surprised when our reporters go above and beyond anything we’ve seen before. We have brought in a mix of talented returning reporters and fresh new writers to offer a unique perspective to life at Michigan State. So to recap: The State News will offer exclusive coverage on the things our readers care about most. We’ll focus on telling these stories through our words, our photos and our videos, sparking conversation around the stories and communities we will be so proud to bring to light. By letting you in on our goals this semester, we hope you as readers can keep us on track. Follow our coverage and reach out to us about a story you want to see, or a topic you think goes unheard. Our inboxes are open.

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Hidden gems incoming out of state and international students should check out By Wajeeha Kamal wkamal@statenews.com

Michigan State University: home to Michiganders — and everyone else, too. While Michigan natives come to the university with some sense of familiarity — even though there is some new scenery for them too — out of state students and international students are in for a whole new world in the mitten. From Michigan lefts to the Great Lakes, here are some things to keep an eye out for. RIGHT ON CAMPUS Michigan State University is well-known for its numerous attractions, including the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Red Cedar River and the Spartan Statue. The beauty of campus offers students arriving from beyond Michigan’s borders much more, academically and socially. Joe Bjorkman, a political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore from Ohio, said he recommends out of state students take a stroll through the courtyard north of the Red Cedar.

“During winter time, it’s gorgeous to walk through,” Bjorkman said. “Any spot out there is great to hang out with people during the summer too when there’s no snow because it’s so green. It’s utterly gorgeous and gives you a different perspective from the normal concrete atmosphere of the campus. It welcomes you to a more natural part of campus.” Bjorkman said another one of his favorite spots was under one of the bridges over the Red Cedar that is covered with graffiti. “I took a bunch of pictures there,” he said. “When the Red Cedar froze over, my friends and I walked on the river and hung out. We pretended like we were going to fall in. It was a great time.” EAST LANSING HOT SPOTS To grab food on campus, Bjorkman said he recommends Peking Express on East Grand River Avenue, a local business serving Asian cuisine. “When I was walking home … my friends passed a pizza place and they’re like, ‘I really want pizza,’” Bjorkman said.

“Right below the pizza place was this really small restaurant. It had Chinese food, some Japanese food, a little bit of Korean. I wanted to go to this place and the guy who owned it was super nice. I got carry-out, and it became my favorite place on campus to grab food.” Kayla Nelsen, an environment studies and sustainability sophomore from Indiana, said she suggests out of state students check out Strange Matter Coffee and Bakery located on East Michigan Avenue in Lansing. “It’s a doughnut place and they’ve got all these crazy flavors of homemade doughnuts,” Nelsen said. “It’s a small business so I like to go there a lot. ... There’s a lot of nice local little restaurants off of Grand River, especially, which are fun.” For studying, Nelsen said her go-to spot is Foster Coffee, which is only located in select Michigan cities. “It has a nice ambiance for doing homework and studying,” Nelsen said. “Also, the coffee is really, really good.” Likewise, journalism soph-

omore Subah Bhatia, an international student, said she recommends Foster Coffee for a refreshing drink or studying. “It’s a great place to work, they have a cute corner where you can sit that’s quiet and everyone’s just working over there. That’s one cafe I really like,” Bhatia said. International or out of state students would benefit from visiting Curious Book Shop, Bhatia said. She said the shop was a little library with two floors and a small basement with a lot of antiques. “I haven’t seen that anywhere else,” Bhatia said. “As soon as I came, that was the one place that I went to. I felt that was pretty unique. It had a lot of Michigan-related books, Michigan-related videos and old papers and articles and small mementos, and the owners were super sweet, so I really like that place. It gave off a really nice East Lansing vibe.” Social relations and policy sophomore Jackie Lasselle, an Illinois native, said her friends would explore Green River Cafe often. Every Sunday, Lasselle and her friends took

Foster Coffee Co. is another great place for coffee and studying off campus. Shot August 25. Photo by Chloe Trofatter

advantage of free parking to enjoy a rooftop sunset. “After you park your car, you walk up the stairs, and you can get to the rooftop and see the sunset,” Lasselle said. “You can see the entire campus. It was always really fun. That was something my friends liked a lot to do, just like hanging out, and nothing crazy.” Spartans across the country moved in on Aug. 26-29 and

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international students began moving in on or after Aug. 23 as classes are set to begin Sept. 1. MSU’s Fall Welcome commenced on Aug. 26 and ends Sept. 10 with events such as the Fall Welcome Spartan Spectacular on Aug. 31. The event begins at 4 p.m and ends at 10 p.m, with an exciting spirit pep rally at Spartan Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

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How to stay healthy in the dorms While vaccinations on campus are required, you can still be mindful of your health with these resources By Rane Claypool rclaypool@statenews.com

A quad style dorm room in Akers Hall photographed on Feb. 25, 2020. Photo by Jack Falinski

With the return of students to a full capacity campus and COVID-19 on the rise again, there are many tips and tricks students can use to stay healthy living in the dorms. From hand-washing to mask-wearing, we’ve been hearing practices to help limit potential exposures to the COVID-19 virus. As of Aug. 1, masks are required indoors on campus for all individuals. The COVID-19 vaccination is also required for all students, faculty and staff. Students that are granted medical or religious exemptions from the vaccine will be required to partake in the Early Detection Program — COVID-19 saliva test kits that track exposure and catch COVID-19 prior to any shown symptoms. These rules were implemented with the goal of protecting the health and safety of all Spartans. “My priority has been to protect our campus and surrounding communities as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, using data and science-based information to inform every decision,” President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. said in a July 30 email to the Spartan community. Michigan State University’s Residential and Hospitali-

ty Services, or RHS, is now implementing new cleaning and disinfecting protocols in all residential and dining buildings across campus. RHS plans to have two levels of disinfecting, one with emphasis on spaces not suspected of COVID-19 transmission and another level to disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Besides the university’s precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19, there are many tips students can implement to stay on top of their health while living in a dorm. While hand washing and social distancing can help in preventing the spread of COVID-19, the following tips and tricks can help your body feel stronger and healthier as you head into the new school year.

NUTRITION

A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and protein helps increase students’ energy levels, boosts their immune systems and ability to deal with stress. MSU dining halls offer a variety of foods across all food groups that can help a person keep a balanced diet. To view the dining halls’ daily menus, check out the Michigan State University mobile app.

EXERCISE DAILY

A 2014 research study at MSU found that there’s a link between daily exercise and higher GPAs. Daily exercise is linked to keeping the immune system strong and reducing stress.

SLEEP SCHEDULE

According to the American College Health Association, “sleep difficulties” ranks third on the list of factors that impact students’ academics. Improving sleep patterns and having a consistent sleep schedule boosts the immune system and improves retention of information, having a direct impact on learning.

MENTAL HEALTH

Being a college student — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic — can be stressful. Prioritizing your mental health, practicing self care and taking care of your body are all crucial to your overall health. MSU’s Olin Center offers Counseling and Psychiatric Services where students can meet with a licensed professional, partake in group counseling or contact crisis services when needed. For more information, visit https://caps.msu.edu/index. html.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

WATER QUALITY REPORT Michigan State University’s 2021 Water Quality Report is now available online for review. The report is a general overview of the water quality provided in 2020.

See report at ipf.msu.edu/waterquality 6

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Changes to dining halls, Combo-X-Change program options By Myesha Johnson mjohnson@statenews.com

New dining updates have happened for Michigan State University’s 2021-2022 academic year.

GRAB-AND-GO OPTION

Holden and Holmes Hall are allowing students with dining plans to grab packaged cold and hot food options to pair together for a Combo-XChange. Holmes and Holden will still allow seating in the dining halls for eating and studying.

TWELVE COMBO-X-CHANGES INCLUDED WITH SILVER, GOLD AND PLATINUM MEAL PLANS

On-campus dining plans have the Combo-X-Change option where students can pair a beverage with a snack and an entree 12 times per week with no daily limit. There is a 10 minute delay between Combo-X-Change redemptions and guests can pay $7.75 plus tax for a meal.

NEW COMBO-X-CHANGE LOCATIONS

Students can now use Combo-X-Changes at Crossroads Food Court venues in the International Center, Panera Bread at Minskoff Pavilion, Biggby at the MSU Union, Starbucks locations at 1855 Place and Wells Hall, The Workshop at the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, MSU Bakers on Service Road, mobile order locations, and Grab-and-Go locations. Starting Aug. 30, fall hours will begin for Sparty’s Market, Starbucks at 1855 Place and Sparty’s in Holden Hall. On Sept. 1, the MSU Union Food Court, Starbucks at Wells Hall, the International Food Court and the Workshop at STEM will open for services.

MOBILE ORDERING OPTION

On Sept. 1, guests can download Transact Mobile Ordering to use a Combo-XChange, pay with Spartan Cash or debit/credit cards to have their meal prepared and ready to pick up. Sparty’s mini-markets in

Brody, Case and Hubbard Halls, Starbucks at 1855 Place and Wells Hall, MSU Union Food Court, the Workshop at STEM, Holmes Dining Hall, Holden Dining Hall, the Vista at Shaw Hall, the Gallery at Snyder-Phillips Hall and Thrive at Owen Hall will accept mobile orders. MSU Union Food Court will transition from mobile ordering to an all-you-care-to-eat location once staffing is optimal. Takeout from all-youcare-to-eat locations is no longer an option due to the expansion of mobile ordering and the addition of Grab-andGo locations. Dining halls will be closed on Aug. 31 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. due to food services being provided at Sparticipation for Welcome Week. If students contract COVID-19, meals will be delivered while they are in quarantine and isolation. Information will be provided to any students requiring quarantine and isolation through the Eat at State website. The Edge dining hall inside of Akers Hall on Jan. 29. Photo by Rahmya Trewern

BUS ROUTE GUIDE FOR SPARTANS Here’s what bus route you should use to get around campus By Myesha Johnson mjohnson@statenews.com

Starting Aug. 30, Spartans will be able to ride on-campus bus routes for free. The Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, has six bus routes dedicated to Michigan State University. They operate seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 2:30 a.m.

WEEKDAY BUS ROUTES:

Route 30 travels from west campus to east campus. It is most known for making stops at South Neighborhood and East Neighborhood. Route 31 travels from Brody Neighborhood to East Neighborhood, taking a northern route. It passes by the MSU Library, the Auditorium and Grand River Avenue. Route 32 transports commuting students from the Commuter Lot to the northern part of campus. Its notable stops are at Snyder-Phillips Hall and the Clinical Center. Route 33 goes from North to South Neighborhood. This bus route stops at 10:30 p.m. Route 38 takes riders from Spartan Village to campus

and Route 39 travels from University Village to campus. CATA’s Lot Link transports passengers between Lots 80, 83, Commuter Lots 89 and 91 and other campus locations upon request from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Lot Link also serves Spartan Village Monday through Friday. After Lot Link concludes services, CATA’s Night Owl bus will take riders from any two MSU campus locations upon request from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. Riders can call (517) 4328888 to make a request for a student-discounted ride of $0.60. Regular fare is $1.25 or riders can use a bus pass to access the Lot Link and Night Owl.

BUSES FOR THE WEEKEND:

On the weekends, three routes service campus riders from 9 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. Route 34 goes from Brody Neighborhood to University Village. It passes by North Neighborhood and Grand River Avenue. Route 35 goes through South Neighborhood and Spartan Village. It also stops near Munn Ice Arena and Spartan Stadium.

Route 36 covers the east side of campus, going from the main boarding center to East Neighborhood. For riders who cannot use the fixed routes due to disabilities, CATA operates Spec-Tran on campus 7 days a week. Passengers who need this service are eligible for free passes through MSU’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. Masks will be required on all bus routes and inside CATA facilities, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are not required while waiting for a bus outside of CATA facilities or at a bus stop. All buses can be tracked on the Transit app, Google Maps for Androids and Maps for iPhones. It will show arrival times to specific locations and allow riders to put in two locations to figure out the best routes available to get from one location to the other. These routes will begin and end at the main boarding center, or CATA station, across from Shaw Hall. The facility has indoor seating, bus schedules and maps, restrooms, vending machines, an ATM and access to MSU’s Ramp 1 parking structure. T U ES DAY, AU G U ST 31 , 202 1

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2 student classes finally see campus for move-in, share thoughts By Maddy Warren mwarren@statenews.com

Two people checking into their dorms at Shaw Hall on move-in day on August 27, 2021. Photo by Lauren Snyder

In past years, Michigan State University’s move-in weekend consisted of freshmen arriving on campus for the first time, while sophomores, juniors and seniors returned for their second, third or fourth year as students. This year, there will be two new classes on campus — freshmen and sophomores — since the COVID-19 pandemic prevented most students from living on campus last year. About 15,000 students are living in MSU housing this year, MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. said at a press conference on Aug. 28. Computer science freshman Sophia Mashkevich moved into Wilson Hall Thursday, Aug. 26. “I’d say it went really smoothly,” Mashkevich said. “We just quickly moved everything in and then set up.” Psychology freshman Elaine Kochaney is a resident of Hubbard Hall. Kochaney said the move-in process was surprisingly painless and her dorm room is nice and cozy — what she expected it to be. “Everything was so nicely organized and people have been so welcoming,” Kochaney said. “(I have) no complaints.” After discovering campus is both bigger and nicer than she expected, Kochaney said her bike will come in handy. “Living on campus, I’m definitely most excited to meet so many new people, make lifelong friends and attend football and basketball games,” Kochaney said. Mashkevich said she is looking forward to in-person classes after spending her senior year of high school on a computer. “I felt like I really didn’t learn anything online because it felt like it was harder to learn,” Mashkevich said. Residence Director of Akers Hall Caroline Murray said East Neighborhood is special to campus because it is home to a large number of first-year students. “We get to be the first faces that the students meet and we get to help them start their Spartan experience off in the best way possible,” Murray said. “The resident assistants and the staff at East Neighborhood

are specially trained to work with first-year students and to make it really a special year for them. I think this year, now more than ever, our first-year students need to have that special year.” Murray said she expects it will be especially exciting for first-year students to make connections after spending a year in isolation. “We’re really excited for our first-year students to connect with one another and to connect to their resident assistants to understand the opportunities on campus,” Murray said. “As well as figure out what their sense of belonging looks like here.” Policy changes and a shortage of employees caused the move-in process to look different this time around. Human biology junior Ethan Simmering is a resident assistant for the first time this year. Simmering said it has been a challenge to enforce mask-wearing policies in dorms, especially in community bathrooms. “Right now … you have to wear a mask inside all buildings, and then if you’re in your dorm — even if you have guests over — you have to wear a mask,” Simmering said. “It’s a little bit harder … trying to enforce wearing a mask, but also you need to shower and brush your teeth and stuff like that.” Interdisciplinary studies in social science senior Mandy Neibauer helped out at the Snyder-Phillips cafeteria during move-in due to the staff shortages. Simmering agreed that lack of staff was an issue during move-in, and that mail and keys can only be picked up during certain hours. Landon Hall resident and education sophomore Ivy Ingleson said she wanted to attend MSU since she was a little kid, thanks to her uncle’s influence. This is Ingleson’s first year on campus after deciding to stay home during the 2020-21 year. “I have a pit in my stomach,” Ingleson said. “I’m really scared and excited and nervous all at the same time because I’ve never been on campus as a student before. But I’m mostly excited. It’s been nice to get out of the house finally.” State News reporters Drew Goretzka and Madison Rose contributed to the reporting of this story.

Looking for something fun to do this winter? Try ice skating with you friends and family at Munn Ice Arena.

Munn will follow all MSU and State of Michigan guidelines

Michael Ethier, a second year music performance major, is moving onto campus for the first time this year. “I’m super excited to be on campus and with other people in the same position as me,” he said. August 27, 2021. Photo by Chloe Trofatter 8

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A guide to Michigan State’s fraternity, sorority life By Jared Ramsey jramsey@statenews.com

Michigan State is home to over 900 groups for people to join, but the biggest non-academic group at MSU is fraternity and sorority life, or FSL. Of all MSU students, 14% are involved in FSL as part of one of the 62 fraternities and sororities that are present on MSU’s campus. There are 38 fraternities and 24 sororities available for students to join, all of which are either a part of the Interfraternity Council, or IFC; the National Panhellenic Council, or NPHC; the Multicultural Greek Council, or MGC; and the Panhellenic Council, or PC. Greek organizations can fall on a spectrum in terms of what they hope to accomplish. Whether they are based on philanthropy, networking opportunities or culturally-based, there’s a place for everyone looking to join Greek life. INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL The IFC oversees 28 fraternities on Michigan State’s campus that provide students with an opportunity to build social and professional relationships during their undergraduate years at MSU. “I would say there’s really a fit for anyone who wants to join or potentially look at joining,” IFC President William Bulkowski said. “There’s a lot of places that someone could go and fit in there, definitely.” Like many, Bulkowski got involved with FSL as a freshman because he wanted to meet friends and follow in the footsteps of his parents who were also in Greek life. Bulkowski said that he is aware of the negative connotation associated with FSL and the problems that were

caused by Greek Life during the 2020 fall semester during the pandemic, but believes the positives of IFC fraternities outweigh the negatives.

PANHELLENIC COUNCIL

The PC is the governing body for 14 sororities at MSU. Much like the IFC, the sororities within the PC span a wide variety of interests from career development to building a tight-knit community at MSU. The Panhellenic Council is preparing for one of their largest recruitment events this fall with two new classes of students arriving in East Lansing for the first time ever. The recruitment process for sororities in the PC will be conducted in a hybrid manner and all events after recruitment will be conducted in person, according to the PC president Ryan Vogel. The biggest change for this year’s recruitment is sororities that are in the PC will have to provide financial transparency forms to all recruits so new members understand the financial commitment before they join. The form will include individual chapter dues, and what it looks like to be a member of chapters, Vogel said. In addition, members can apply for financial grants and scholarships to assist with costs after initiation. “We never want the finances to be a reason why someone doesn’t join our community,” Vogel said.

MULTICULTURAL GREEK COUNCIL

The MGC oversees 11 fraternities and sororities that represent FSL groups focused on multicultural or ethnic groups. MGC organizations typically have fewer members

than fraternities or sororities in either of the other three Greek governing councils. “It is made up of many different organizations that come from different backgrounds … it can be cultural backgrounds or gender identity, just anything in general,” MGC President Angelica Pablo said. “The different organizations have their own principles, their own philanthropies that they go by.” The focus on identity separates MGC organizations from the IFC and PC because the MGC organizations have a common trait that brings the members together. “We’re made up of Asian-interest sororities, an LGBTQ fraternity and then a Hispanic-interest sorority and fraternity,” Vice President of MGC Philanthropy Sujin Lee said. “So these groups, not only are they sororities and fraternities, but they’re also organizations that promote a certain identity and specifically embrace that through their organization.” Comparatively, MGC organizations offer an abundance of leadership positions since the groups are smaller than those in other councils. “Something that I know that I probably wouldn’t have done is be in this position right now,” Pablo said. “Never in a million years have I thought that I was gonna be a president of a council. Like ever. That never crossed my mind. So it’s definitely new experiences and new opportunities. And I really like it.”

Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house at MSU on July 21st. Photo by Thomas Ruth

NPHC oversees traditionally African-American fraternities and sororities at Michigan State. The organizations are a part of a national group of traditionally African-American fraternities and sororities

that focus on camaraderie, education and philanthropy within East Lansing. The organizations hold multiple philanthropy events in the East Lansing community and scholarship balls to help members fund their membership

and schooling. The NPHC did not respond for comment before publication. This article has been cut for length. To read the full article, visit statenews.com.

NATIONAL PANHELLENIC COUNCIL

The National Panhellenic Council, much like the MGC, offers identity-based membership for nine fraternities and sororities on campus. The

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MSU Homecoming 2021: Introduci By Wajeeha Kamal Wkamal@statenews.com

Each year, Michigan State University celebrates a homecoming football game, packed with events that last through the whole weekend. This year, homecoming might feel a little different. After being away a full year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Spartans having the opportunity to gather and celebrate the university may be the most literal homecoming yet. MSU’s homecoming, “Spartans Journey Together,” begins Sept. 27 and lasts until Oct. 2. This year’s theme highlights the bond of the Spartan community in forging a brighter world. Spartans will welcome Grand Marshal Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, a graduate of MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and the first African-American woman to serve as dean of a U.S. medical school. Ten seniors were selected from a highly competitive applicant group to represent MSU in the homecoming court. Those selected for the 2021-22 academic year include Dantevius Branigan, Alyssa Ewell, Eliot Haddad, Julie Liu, Simone Nagi, Madeline Niblock, Brenda Pilar-Ayala, Christine So, David Tran and Julian Trevino. Alyssa Ewell is a psychology major from Canton, Michigan with minors in youth and society, communicative sciences and disorders, and cognitive science.. Ewell serves as the National Communications Coordinator with the Residence Halls Association, or RHA, and participates in a transformative Alternative Spartan Break at the Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association. According to the alumni website where the court was announced, As a volunteer with the riding association, Ewell supports people with disabilities through animal therapy. “Involvement in the Adaptive Sports program and Autism Research Lab connected me with Spartans that value inclusivity through accessibility,” Ewell said. “Mentorship roles such as being a Resident Assistant and a TRIO Scholars Coach better connected me with campus resources and partners. This gave me the important role of being an advocate for the safety and wellbeing of other Spartans. Ultimately, the connections with other student

leaders led me to join RHA’s Leadership Team as the National Communications Coordinator.” In addition, being on the Homecoming Court gives Ewell the opportunity to share her Spartan Story. To Ewell, “Spartans Will” means showing up for those around her. “Showing up can look like directing fellow Spartans to resources,” Ewell said. “It can also be as simple as checking in on fellow students. It also means recognizing your personal resilience when navigating long days, unexpected turns and relying on your community to help you.” Ewell said that while not everything is simple, having support made her time on campus easier. “I had my fair share of difficulty navigating MSU campus, dealing with a difficult roommate situation, choosing which organizations were truly a fit for me and ultimately choosing a career path,” Ewell said. “Without supportive faculty members and students, I would not have felt engaged in

to become a practicing physician. “Dr. Bess German encouraged me to apply,” Haddad said. “I owe a lot to her because she was really encouraging and told me, ‘Hey, you should give it a shot’ and ‘You represent the best of MSU, it would be great if you were on the homecoming court.’ I decided that she’s right, this is a great opportunity. It’s a chance to give back to the university, to the Honors College, and the overall community at Michigan State. So I applied with her recommendation and that’s how I got there.” Haddad is actively involved in community service through his experiences with Tower Guard, the Adaptive Sports Club and Honors College Impact. He also serves as president of MOSAIC, is a member of Honors Students Actively Recruiting, or HSTAR, the Lebanese Student Association, and the American Medical Student Association. “There are many activities I’ve done that have so much

For me to be selected as a Homecoming Court representative shows there is hope for something different… I spent a lot of my passionate efforts working with the APIDA community, the Asian Pacific Islander Desi Association.” David Tran International Relations Senior David Tran. Photo courtesy of David Tran.

“It’s a chance to give back to the university, to the Honors College, and the overall community at Michigan State. So I applied with her recommendation and that’s how I got here.” Eliot Haddad Human Biology Senior my classes...Michigan State University contributed to my personal and academic growth in extraordinary ways and being on the court gives me a chance to show what it means to me.” Haddad is an Honors College student from Cornet Chehwan, Lebanon, majoring in human biology with a minor in environment and health and bioethics. He is a pre-med student, planning

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Eliot Haddad. Photo courtesy of Eliot Haddad.

value for my development as a person,” Haddad said. “Being the president of MOSAIC has really been an outstanding opportunity. I’ve witnessed the formation of new relationships … and kind of foster the relationships be-

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tween myself and others ... and helping people have dialogue that emphasizes the shared humanity we all have, which is often overlooked and the cause of so many of society’s problems these days.”

Haddad is a current undergraduate learning assistant for Introductory Microbiology and a Residential Business Community tutor. He also conducts research on the gut microbiome in the Department of Food Science and

Human Nutrition. “On a professional level, I think the research I’ve done has really been amazing, opening my eyes towards the process of science and towards what goes into a research project from its in-

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ing the court and what to expect Being on Homecoming Court is me giving back to Michigan State, confirming my home spot here. And then, being part of the alumni class, which is really exciting.” Simone Nagi Supply Chain Management Senior

Simone Nagi. Photo courtesy of Simone Nagi.

ception to its completion,” Haddad said. Nagi is an international student from Bangalore, India. Nagi is a supply chain management senior in the Broad College of Business and Honors College, minoring in entrepreneurship. “Coming to Michigan State, I was really nervous because I came from India, so I am an international student,” Nagi said. “I fell in love with Michigan State. Being on Homecoming Court is me giving back to Michigan State, confirming my home spot here. And then, being part of the alumni class, which is really

“Showing up can look like directing fellow Spartans to resources. It can also be as simple as checking in on fellow students. It also means recognizing your personal resilience when navigating long days, unexpected turns.”

Alyssa Ewel

Psychology Senior

exciting.” Nagi, along with other international students, created the Broad International Student Council, where she currently serves as professional development chair. “I think international students are really scared and nervous when they come to MSU,” Nagi said. “It’s really intimidating to start from scratch, learn about a new country ... everything’s really different … I want to have a voice that helps those students out in case they’re nervous and scared, or they don’t know where to go. Now, they have another outlet.” Currently, Nagi is an intern at Goldman Sachs in their global markets division where she works with their commodities confirmations team. “It’s intimidating but the company culture is great,” Nagi said. “It’s a professional space with really smart people who know exactly what they’re doing, where they want to be, how they’re going to get there. It’s really inspiring to be working with such great individuals … I’m really grateful for that.” For incoming international students, Nagi recommends students reach out to clubs, peers or alumni to find activities they enjoy. “Do not be afraid to reach out to anybody, even though LinkedIn, or of reaching out to alums to figure out which companies you want to work for in the future. Do not be afraid,” she said. “Go to career fairs and start networking freshman year to reserve your spot for junior internships, and eventually senior full-time positions.” Tran is from Dearborn, Michigan, and is a student in James Madison College, majoring in international relations and minoring in Asian Pacific American Studies and business. “Historically, homecoming court has been an avenue for overachieving folks, like ASMSU students, or people who have done extraordinary things,” Tran said. “For me to be selected as a Homecoming Court representative shows there is hope for something different … I’m not as involved in ASMSU or not wellknown in the administration. But I spent a lot of my passionate efforts working with the APIDA community, the Asian Pacific Islander Desi Association.”

Tran recently served as the elected marketing director and vice president of the MSU Vietnamese Student Association. Now, Tran serves as a representative and liaison for the Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations and other prominent organizations. “I worked specifically with the Vietnamese Student Association and APASO, the Asian Pacific American Student Organization,” Tran said. “I didn’t really feel like we were doing much for ASMSU, whereas I felt like my impact was more directed and more successful within the organizations that I was working in. I was trying my best to be an active advocator and leader on campus, by trying to voice my opinions and encourage others to stand in solidarity.” Tran said he wants future generations to know that it’s important to not compare yourself to others. “What you do is already valuable and unique,” he said. In summer 2019, Tran studied history, contemporary issues and analysis of the urban city abroad in London. He continues advocacy efforts through his active involvement in several student organizations. Tran said that as MSU is a predominantly white institution, seeing changs in diversity since he started is encouraging. “My cohort is a much more diverse group than in years past and this reflects that there’s something happening at Michigan State,” Tran said. “We are having more folks emerging and becoming uplifting leaders that are coming in solidarity to empower and amplify our voices to administration, the Board of Trustees, and also to the world that is watching our university. We are making a change, and we are going to ensure we hold MSU accountable.” To show your Spartan spirit this year, swap your front porch, window, room, or any other light that can “glow” with a green bulb during Homecoming week. Spartans on and off campus can participate in this tradition through #GlowGreen for #MSUHomecoming. The Spartans will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Homecoming football game on Oct. 2.

Alyssa Ewel. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Ewel.

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MSU’s Main Library: What you need to know By Jack Armstrong jarmstrong@statenews.com

MSU’s Main Library is made up of four stories, a basement and over seven million volumes, holding a variety of resources that students can take advantage of during their time at MSU. From spaces for tutoring in specific subjects to a room with virtual reality equipment, understanding and utilizing the library is extremely useful to any student at MSU. Library Location and Layout MSU’s main library is located at 366 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824. The building falls north of the Red Cedar River, just east of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden. The library is made up of an East Wing and a West Wing, which are only connected on the first floor and basement, and holds rows and rows of books, referred to as “stacks.” Outreach Librarian Holly Flynn said the East Wing is reserved for quiet study only, while the West Wing allows for more conversation and collaboration.

On the second floor of the library is the Makerspace, described on the library’s website as “an alternative learning environment and gathering space that encourages cross-discipline collaboration, experimentation and learning.” In the space students can find button makers, a soldering station, a cutting machine and a self-service 3D printer. Also on this floor is a gaming lab with a vast library of consoles and games, a virtual reality lab and a 360-degree immersive visualization space. “Think of this small IMAX theater that goes all the way around,” Flynn said. On the third floor, students can receive tutoring sessions. This is also where the art library is located. The fourth floor houses the music library and the digital and multimedia center where students can study in groups and check out multimedia like DVDs. The reference desk, which can help students find specific items to check out, is located on the first floor near the north entrance. Finding and Checking out

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Materials Flynn said that students looking for specific materials should visit the site lib.msu. edu, type in the materials they are looking for and note the call number of the material. For example, by searching for Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden,” a student would be able to view the status of the book (available or checked out), the location of the book, and the book’s call number. The student would then go to a librarian at the reference desk with the call number or try to find the book themselves using signs posted around the library. Books can be checked out for six months at a time and students can check out as many books as they want at a time. Students will need to present their MSU ID in order to check out materials.

SERVICES

MSU Libraries features a 24/7 chat, email and phone service, Ask a Librarian, that students can use to get help using the library. “A lot of times students who are writing a paper ... maybe

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it’s the first paper they’ve written in college, and they’re looking for resources, you’re not sure how to search the library’s website, you’re not sure about different kinds of information, we use it for that kind of thing,” Flynn said. The library is also home to The Writing Center’s busiest satellite location, on the west side of the third floor, which offers one-on-one consulting for students looking to improve their writing. Flynn said that the economics and social sciences help rooms also meet in the library.

HOURS

This semester, the MSU Main Library will be open 7:30 a.m. to midnight Sundays through Thursdays. On Fridays, the library will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Saturdays, the hours are much shorter from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Students can view a comprehensive library schedule on the library site.

EVENTS

“We offer a lot of fun events, like films and finals week

Outside the MSU Library on August 26th. Photo by Thomas Ruth

events,” Flynn said. “Most of our events and workshops will be both online and in-person this year.” In the past, the library has screened movies, hosted panel discussions and brought in therapy dogs for students to interact with. Flynn said that they also host workshops on how to use the library. On Sept. 9, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., the library will be hosting a library open house, which includes a scavenger hunt and a prize. A calendar of upcoming library events can be found

here. Flynn said the best way for students to get acclimated with the library and to find what they are looking for is to simply ask a librarian. “The library is really big, and nobody expects anyone to know how exactly it works right off the bat, so I think the most important thing would be to ask a librarian,” Flynn said. “You can go up to the reference desk, you can call us, you can email us, we have 24/7 chat, however you want to get help, we can help you.”

The Division of Student Affairs and Services (SAS) team is here to support you and your journey at Michigan State University (MSU). Connecting and engaging with the Spartan community is key to a positive experience and student success.

Find communities, connections and resources through our units and programs. Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs and Services • Dean of Students Office • Career Services Network • Center for Community Engaged Learning • Community Liaison • Fraternity & Sorority Life • Graduate Student Life & Wellness • IMPACT 89FM • Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions • Recreational Sports and Fitness Services • Student Life • Student Parent Resource Center • Student Veterans Resource Center • The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center • Women*s Student Services

GO TO STUDENTAFFAIRS.MSU.EDU to find more information and resources from all of our units and programs!

PLUS! •Find and connect with 1,000-plus Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) – involve.msu.edu • Find, connect and participate in student government at MSU – studentlife.msu.edu/government • Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) – undergraduate student government – asmsu.msu.edu • Council of Graduate Students (COGS) – graduate student major governing group – cogs.msu.edu • MSU Residence Hall Association (RHA) – represents students who live in on-campus housing – rha.msu.edu

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, SPARTANS, AND GLAD TO WELCOME YOU HOME, AGAIN! To reach out to us or for more information: 517-355-7535 | studentaffairs@msu.edu. @msusas

@msu_sas

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MSU student organizations for students of color to consider How one MSU student found her ‘home away from home’ in a student of color-led organization By SaMya Overall soverall@statenews.com Michigan State University is home to over 900 student organizations, ranging from academic groups to Greek life to personal support groups. For all students, but especially students of color joining a predominantly white institution, finding student organizations that fit social, academic and cultural backgrounds can be important in feeling at home at the 8 square-mile campus. Indian Students Organization, or ISO, president Lavaanya Jain said finding a student of color-led organization helped her adjust to being away from home for the first time. “The first time out of my

home felt overwhelming,” Jain said via email. “ISO was one of the closest things to home on campus. It helped me get through my days of homesickness and made me interact with some good people.” Jain said she liked how the organization seemed to accommodate students, which led her to want to help other students settle in as they got their starts at MSU. She also said ISO allowed her to have a spot on MSU’s huge campus, which will be home to almost 50,000 students this academic year. Of those students, roughly one-fourth identify as a student of color. Only 9.1% of students are international students. Despite the smaller

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number of students of color on campus, Jain said all students should join student groups that align with their racial or ethnic backgrounds. “It allows them to settle in fast and gives them comfort,” Jain said. “But with that being said, I also encourage people to be a part of organizations that do not match their racial or ethnic background because that will allow them to learn something new about other cultures and traditions. It is vital to have a group similar to you and know and understand new cultures.” Joining these students of color-led organizations can further improve an understanding of diversity and inclusion of MSU’s campus while giving space for these students

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to feel at home at their university. “Every organization is different here at MSU, and it represents the emotions of every individual,” Jain said. “Expressing yourself and your culture on such a large platform is a proud moment for every organization or student. Being able to speak on behalf of your community makes much difference.” Jain said it’s important for all student organizations to bring people together. “Respecting one another and their beliefs remains the most important thing,” Jain said. “I would love to create an environment that feels like home for the Indian students and a new opportunity to explore for every other individual on campus.”

SOME STUDENT OF COLOR-LED ORGANIZATIONS THAT STUDENTS CAN JOIN THIS FALL ARE: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

African Student Union Arab Cultural Society Asian Pacific American Student Organization Association of Latino Professionals For America Black Girls Unite Black Indigenous and People of Color Club Black Student Alliance Broad International Student Council Chinese-American Student Coalition Cultural De Las Razas Unidas dreaMSU Hmong American Student Association Hong Kong Student Association Indian Student Organization International Students Association Japanese American Student Association Jewish Student Union La Comunidad Latino Americana MixedMSU North American Indigenous Student Organization Persian Student Association Sikh Student Association Vietnamese Student Association

For a full list of student organizations, visit the Involve@ State website.

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MSU recreational centers offer group fitness classes By Ashley Zhou ashley.zhou@statenews.com

After implementing a mandatory fee as a part of tuition for all university students, the recreational facilities at MSU will be offering fitness classes free of any additional charges. Rebecca Kegler, MSU’s assistant director for recreational sports with an emphasis on group exercise and fitness classes, manages the group fitness program through hiring, scheduling and training instructors while also leading some classes herself. “I teach a strength training class called Sculpting with Weights,” Kegler said. “The exercises are adapted from a traditional weight room that uses machines and free weights and we do it in a group in the studio.” The instructors consist of mostly students and staff members. Some of the students have formal certifications in certain trademarked fitness classes like Zumba or Spinning. “These classes have been on campus for many years,” Kegler said. “The types of classes

change over time, and when I started with the university 15 years ago, I introduced new exercise formats like cardio kickboxing and yoga.” There is a diverse selection of courses described on the website from Belly Dancing to Tai Chi. Some of the most popular classes among students have been yoga for stress management, Zumba that uses a variety of international music, and indoor cycling because it has a strong cardio component implemented throughout the class. For this semester, the recreational centers and the group fitness classes are offered to all current MSU students with no additional charge at IM West, IM East and IM Circle. Currently, there are no specific sign-ups for certain classes and are all run first come, first served. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing into the fall semester, the group fitness classes will be following the university’s decision of mandating masks to be worn indoors in all university buildings or any activities.

Currently, Kegler is looking to hire instructors to go into either a mentor program or fully-certified instructors. Instructors in the mentor program will be training and working alongside a fully-trained instructor to learn how to lead future classes. Training for instructors depends on the individual and where they’re at — fully-trained instructors that are successful in their auditions will be assigned to a class to begin teaching in the fall. “If a student is interested in becoming an instructor, they most likely are going to be attending two classes a week, but then they will have to make some additional commitment of time on their own outside of the regular classes to practice how to choreograph (and) to practice their routine before they present it in a regular class,” Kegler said. Students interested in becoming an instructor can begin their process on the group fitness classes webpage. For future semesters, Kegler hopes to expand their student-instructor base to open

The entrance of IM West photographed on Aug. 5. Photo by Chloe Trofatter

up more opportunities for students to begin fostering a lifelong goal of fitness and healthy living habits. “As we have all learned, when you take enough time to take care of yourself, then you’re going to be better at everything else that you do,” Kegler said. “You’re going to

semester. To find more information on which classes are being offered and where they will take place, they will be posted on the class schedule link on the group fitness main page, which will be released Sept. 3.

be just better capable of doing what you want to do if you take enough time to take care of yourself, and that’s part of the goal of what we do.” For the fall semester, group fitness classes will begin Sept. 7, and a separate schedule will run from Thanksgiving through the last day of the

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The future of Michigan State’s recreational facilities With the announcement of a recreational facility fee being added to student tuition, Michigan State is now allowing all students to work out at the IM facilities. By Jared Ramsey jramsey@statenews.com

Richard McNeil has been waiting for improvements to the recreational facilities at Michigan State for 25 years. The director of recreational sports and fitness services has been patiently waiting for the university to make substantial improvements to facilities like IM West to reflect the growing student population at MSU. The student population at Michigan State has grown by around 13% since IM East was built in 1988 and there has not been an increase in fitness spaces in that time to reflect the growth. Finally, McNeil’s requests were acknowledged and answered. The Board of Trustees approved adding a recreational facility fee to tuition in their June 18 meeting with the goal of refurbishing or replacing existing recreational facilities on campus. The fee will be $100 a year, or $50 per semester, in 2021-22 and will increase to $260 by the 2023-24 academic year. The fee, according to President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. in his address at the meeting, aims to bring MSU’s facilities up to par with the rest of the Big Ten and provide enough space for all students to be able to exercise on campus. “Lots of students have been on these other campuses, and they ask, ‘Why can’t we have it here?’” McNeil said. “And now’s our time.” The process began in the fall of 2020, McNeil said, after the Board and Stanley requested a group to be formed to take a “hard look” at MSU’s existing facilities. The group, directed by Vice Presidents Dan Bollman and Vencelaus (Vennie) Gore, examined Michigan State’s existing facilities from October to December and reported to the Board where MSU was in terms of supporting students’ physical health. Following the initial report, the Board approved a feasibility study to be conducted to examine the cost of improving IM West or building a new facility altogether. “The request was to conduct a full feasibility study, hire external consultants, architects, facility planners

engaged with IPF (Infrastructure Planning and Facilities), the things that are done for any normal project,” McNeil said. “I mean the same process went down with the Multicultural Center. So we’ve been on that process since last February.” The group was assigned two tasks: figure out the cost of renovating IM West completely and figure out the cost and location of a possible new recreational facility. McNeil said that the group has narrowed it down to two possible locations on campus for a new facility. The first location would be between Munn field and the Forest Akers Trust Practice field, west of the turf field. The second location would be on Cherry Lane, adjacent to Wonders Hall and the Breslin Center. The advisory group is currently examining the different possibilities which will then be presented to the Board to make a final decision. The main goal for the expansion is to provide adequate space for all students to be able to work out on campus and avoid using spaces for multiple purposes if possible. “We are very good at taking an underutilized space and converting it into something else,” McNeil said. “Our spinning room is in a short-ceiling, no air conditioning, in a space that used to be what I would describe as a cage fighting-type men’s weight room. And we’re doing spinning in there. That’s high intensity and there’s no way to get air conditioning. So it’s (the new facility) going to have all the standard amenities, but in a much, much better environment.” McNeil said that the project has taken up about 20% of his time on the job since it was presented. “It’s been a labor of love,” McNeil said. “I know, I remember when Vennie first announced this, he looked at me and said, ‘You know, I’m gonna put something significant on McNeil’s plate. But this is a labor of love because he’d been chomping at the bit to do this for 25 years.’ And I have been.” 2021-22 school year This is not the only improvement on the docket for

Michigan State’s facilities. McNeil said that Michigan State is going to build new turf fields on Service Road for IM and club sports. “The benefit of the turf field is largely because of our climate,” McNeil said. “Because natural grass looks great on the first of September. By the first of November, we don’t have any grass, it’s dirt or mud. And so an artificial turf (field) does two things. It guarantees a quality playing surface all the time. So it doesn’t deteriorate like grass fields do. And then secondly, it expands the window of use. In our weather, our turf fields can be used probably from March through November.” The construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2022. The goal, McNeil said, is to have the fields ready to use by the start of the 202223 school year. With the announcement of a recreational facility fee being added to student tuition, Michigan State is now allowing all students to work out at the IM facilities. Previously, students had to buy a membership to access the fitness centers within the facilities. McNeil said he expects the change to cause overcrowding in exercise spaces, especially at the beginning of the semester when it opens to students. The current facilities are designed to serve a campus of approximately 20,000 students and MSU’s enrollment will be more than double that for the upcoming year. “So we’re just trying to manage overcapacity as best we can, because we can’t increase capacity without taking away capacity from someplace else,” McNeil said. “...That’s going to be a problem. We’ll manage it as best we can. But we are limited. We simply can’t expand our space.” McNeil said that gyms used for team sports will not be overly impacted by the expected increase in demand, but expects the fitness centers to be crowded. “It’s not gonna impact the gymnasiums, but it’s gonna impact everything fitness and so I just ask students for some patience and grace because it’s going to be crowded,” McNeil said.

Service Road Field, which serves as the practice and competition fields for the women’s and men’s club rugby teams, will be expanded and transformed into a turf field. Construction is due to start in 2022 with goals of the field being ready for the 2022-23 school year. Photo by Chloe Trofatter

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Queso, guac or salsa?: The State News staffers rank and review local chips and dips By State News Staffers feedback@statenews.com

It’s time we let you in on a little secret. At every training for The State News, our introductions feature one very important question: Queso, guac or salsa? After taste testing the fries of East Lansing, it would simply be irresponsible to ignore the

three main food groups The State News bases its foundation on. A group of five S’News-ers hit three East Lansing hot spots to try out their interpretations of the age-old question. We visited El Azteco, Barrio Tacos and Los Tres Amigos. We ranked each individual dish of queso, guac and salsa. Here’s how things panned out:

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Queso is one of those things that only get better as you age. As starving college students, two stood out while one flopped. El Azteco: In El Azteco’s defense, this was strictly listed as a cheese dip. Regardless of its classification, this missed the mark. This dip reminded us solely of cottage cheese from its look, texture and taste. There was little taste or kick to the dip and it was served cold, which just hit us in all the wrong ways. El Azteco, you did a great job on everything else, but you dropped the ball on this one. Final ranking: 1/10 Barrio Tacos: Barrio did exactly what it needed to do here and not much else. This queso was solid, but just missed that extra-special something we expected heading into the taste testing. We’d feel comfortable asking for a second dish while dining at the restaurant, but it would not be a necessity. Final ranking: 8.2/10 Los Tres Amigos: This was about as big of a no-doubter slam dunk as it could get. A thicker queso with chunks of what appeared to be peppers and tomatoes, this queso had a solid taste with a bit of a kick at the end that just felt perfect. The five of us gave each dip a score out of 10, and the only reason this didn’t get a perfect 50 out of 50 was because we believe there is always room for improvement. Final ranking: 9.8/10

GUACAMOLE

Salsa, guacamole, and queso trio from El Azteco on Aug. 26. Photo by Karly Graham

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Ah, guacamole. Classic and delicious. This Mexican avocado dip can be hard to mess up and includes salt, lime, onion, cilantro and tomatoes. However, we didn’t find any guac particularly life-changing at any of the three restaurants. Barrio: This guacamole was surprisingly disappointing. The avocado was not completely smashed so there were chunks of it within the dip. It tasted bland and didn’t have any of that tang or flavor we were expecting. Final ranking: 4/10 El Azteco: The El Azteco guacamole was alright. It had good consistency and a nice garnish. There were some nice cut-up tomatoes on top which really added to the aesthetic, but did not add much of a kick to it. That said, we did enjoy the lime flavor we could pick out. Final ranking: 6/10 Los Tres Amigos: This guacamole was the best out of the bunch. It had the right texture and was seasoned correctly. It didn’t have the best presentation, but honestly, that’s how we knew it would hit just right. Final ranking: 8/10

SALSA

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Salsa was the most fiercely debated dip of the night, as all three restaurants brought their own unique style to the table. Los Tres Amigos: Los Tres Amigos’ salsa is the salsa you plow down in five minutes without realizing until your server asks if you want more. Is it the best? Not really. Is it amazing? Also, not really. It does get the job done though, and sometimes, that’s really all you need. Final ranking: 5.6/10 Barrio Tacos: Salsa at Barrio is average. It hits you with a smokey, Southwest flair that is either a hit or miss depending on your palette. It is not the most amazing salsa you’ve ever had, but paired with the nice summer breeze from the Albert Avenue patio, you’ve got a night. Final ranking: 6/10 El Azteco: There isn’t much wrong with the salsa from El Azteco. As soon as the first bite hits your taste buds, you are in for a shock. The heat from this salsa comes as a complete surprise and really sticks with you. Although it was not insanely spicy, it was the first salsa we tried and the sensation stayed with us with each additional salsa we tried. Final ranking: 7.8/10

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The State News’ summer 2021 diversity report Staff demographic breakdown

By Ashley Zhou, Karly Graham and Jayna Bardahl azhou@statenews.com kgraham@statenews.com jbardahl@statenews.com

Diversity breakdown by race in percentages 70

MSU

State News

The State News began publication in 1909; clearly, a lot about the world has changed since then. We’ve changed with it. Just last year, we published our very first semesterly staff diversity report. We believe that in order to bring new

Racial breakdown This summer, The State News newsroom staff consisted of 17 MSU students. All 17 students responded to our staff demographics survey. During the summer 2021 semester, 10 staffers, or 58.8% of our staff self-identified as white. One student identified as mixed race, self-identifying as white, Native American and Asian or Asian American, the other staff members

perspectives into our coverage, we need to have people working in our newsroom that understand those perspectives. As conversations about racial equity and inclusion continue to make their way to the forefront of our lives, we believe it is important to tell you about the people who are writing your news. We have started this initiative to be transparent about what people make up our

staff and any intrinsic biases we may possess. Diversity, equity and inclusion are deeply important to us. As we prepare for our coverage this fall semester, we are stressing the importance of reaching out to different people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This report helps to guide The State News editors to lead our newsroom to continue to be more inclusive each semester.

self-identified as follows: 11.8% Black 5.9% Indian, Indian American 5.9% Hispanic, Latinx 11.8% Asian, Asian American In 2020, MSU reported that the student population, including undergraduate and graduate/professional students, was 66.5% white. Students of color made up 33.5% of the student population. The breakdown was: 7.2% Black

0.3% American Indian, Alaska Native 6.5% Asian, Asian American 0.1% Hawaiian, Pacific Islander 5.6% Hispanic/Latinx 3.3% two or more races 9.1% international 1.4% other, unknown, blank MSU did not track data on Indian or Indian American identifying students.

0 White

Black

Indian

Latinx

Asian

Other Mixed race

Percentages of gender identification

35.3%

Cisgender male

64.7%

Cisgender female

Percentage of first gen. students

29.4%

First Generation student

70.6%

Not first generation

Gender Similar to last year, a majority of The State News staff is female-identifying with 64.7% female to 35.3% male. No students self-identified as transgender or nonbinary. In fall 2020, women made up 52.6% of all students at MSU, according to the university diversity report.

First generation About 70.6% of staff members reported that they were not first generation students, and 29.4% reported they were first generation students. At MSU, 22.5% off all undergraduate students self-identfied as first generation.

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Breakdown by year in school

Breakdown of sexual orientation identification 5.9%

17.6%

Asexual

11.8% 5.9%

Sophomore or second year

Bisexual

47.1%

Homosexual

76.5%

Senior or fourth year Junior or third year

35.3%

Heterosexual

Sexuality

ual, and asexual and homosexual had one respondant each. Michigan State’s 2020 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion report and plan did not list or specify a number or percent-

In response to sexual orientation, 13 of our 17 staff members self-identified as heterosexual. Two staffers dentified themselves as bisex-

age breakdown of students by sexual orienation. In the comments section of our staff diversity survey, a reporter said they would like to see improved coverage in this area.

Year in school This summer, a majority of our staff was made up by third year students. No freshman were on staff because we typcally only

Number of reporters that said we can improve coverage in specific areas 11

In state vs OOS vs Intl.

In state vs OOS vs intl.

Race

4 4

Majors

Majors 2

Year at MSU

7 5

Sexuality

Gender

Cultures & festivals

Gender

Sexuality

8 7

Graduate students

Race

ing juniors, six staffers are incoming seniors and three incoming sophomores.

Number of reporters that said we can improve staffing in specific areas

Socioeconomic classes

First gen.

offer summer employment opportunities to people who have worked with us previously. This is because in the summer we work with a smaller staff. Eight staffers are incom-

Socioeconomic classes

Year at MSU

First generation students

First gen. grad students

0 2

Where to improve coverage While it is true that we will always be able to improve our coverage in any and all areas, we asked staffers to specifically share where they thought we were lacking. Of our 17 staff members, 11 — or 64.7% — said they would like to see more coverage for people from different socoeconomic classes and for students that aren’t from Michigan. One reporter said

they feel as though there is a huge gap in coverage for international students speficially. Nine responses also clarified that we should be doing more to provide coverage for first generation students and the specific struggles they may face. Staffers also said we can be doing more to provide adequate coverage of race, sexu-

ality and gender. Four staffers said we should be doing more to reach out to diffferent people from different majors here at the university, and two people said our coverage should expand to different grades and years of students at MSU. The form had the option to add other individual choices, and someone added “Cultures and festivals” themselves.

In state vs out of state vs international staffers International 5.9%

5.9%

Out of state In state

88.2%

Where to improve staffing Just as we always strive to improve representation of diverse people and communities in our reporting, we do the same in our newsroom. We believe in order to ensure our coverage is diverse, the people who make up that coverage must represent a wide range of communities as well. We value having staff members with different backgrounds and perspectives

Majority of staffers are in state students One of our largest disparities in newsroom staff representation is between in state, out of state and international students. Of our 17 summer staffers, 15 responded that they were from Michigan, while out of state and international received one response each. These numbers directly correlate with where our staffers said we could improve staff representation most. According to the university’s Fall 2020 Enrollment Report, 80% of undergraduate students at Michigan State are from Michigan. The

because this helps us stay knowledgeable and objective in our reporting. Our summer staff reporters responded with feeling The State News could improve most in its representation of out of state and international students. This correlates with our data. Of the 17 summer staff members, just one identified as an out of state student and one identified as an

international student. Eight of our 17 staff members said The State News could improve most in its representation of individuals from this community. Race and gender both received seven votes for the area where The State News can most improve its staffing. One student said The State News should improve most on its representation of first generation graduate students.

State News’ 88.2% is slightly higher than the university’s number. According to the report, 13.1% of undergraduate students were out of state students. The same report lists that 6.9% of undergraduates are international students. This percentage was the lowest it has been in 10 years. This report was for the first semester of an academic year following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of international student we had between spring 2021 and summer 2021 remained the same, but his summer we had seven fewer out of state.

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TH E STAT E N EWS

T UESDAY, AU GU ST 31, 2021

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THE STATE NEWS

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