The State News - October 25, 2022 - Fall 2022 Housing Guide

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Michigan State celebrates their B1G Championship with the fans after their win over the Rutgers on Sunday, Oct. 23, at DeMartin Stadium.

Photo by Chloe Trofatter.

MSU students share experiences living with student athletes

By Melanie Soverinsky msoverinsky@statenews.com

Commonly, student athletes are seen living amongst each other. Football players live with other football players, soccer players live with other soccer players or sometimes, they mix sports.

For some student athletes, it is a requirement as they are placed strategically with other teammates their freshman year at Michigan State University. But what happens after that? What’s it like for a non-MSU athlete to live in a house full of athletes?

For neuroscience senior Pear Limpanich, her 2021-2022 housing plans came at the last minute due to the pandemic.

Limpanich was assigned to the apartment unit where gymnasts seniors Nyah Smith, Lea Mitchell and Alaina Raybon were living.

“It was right after the COVID year, so I just came back from home and wasn’t sure if I was coming back or not, so I signed my lease pretty late,” Limpanich

said. “I had to go in at random and, when I signed my lease at Campus Village, they put me in my current unit with three new roommates.”

For physician assistant graduate student Brianna Regan, the situation was flipped. Regan lives with two other nonstudent athletes, one of which is digital storytelling junior Alondra Castaneda. Strategic communication graduate student Shakira Dancy, a sprinter on MSU’s track and field team, is the odd one out in the group.

This rooming matchup was randomized – besides a prior friendship between Dancy and Castaneda.

“Shakira and I got to know each other this summer and got along really well,” Castaneda said. “We eventually became friends and now we’re really close, and they had an extra room.”

Despite their busy schedules, Limpanich, Regan and Castaneda have had an opportunity to get to know their roommates and get a glimpse

of what it’s like to be a student athlete at MSU — even if they aren’t the biggest sports fans.

“I’m not a huge sports person but I talk to her about games and learn about how they work,” Castaneda said. “She’s introduced me to people in sports and has definitely gotten me more involved and given me a know-how.”

TYPICAL TRAINING SCHEDULE

Limpanich said she rarely saw her roommates before dinner time. They were on completely opposite schedules due to required training and classes.

“They all trained pretty early,” Limpanich said. “I don’t know what their training schedule was like, but I know that everytime I woke up they were gone either because they were at a meet, training or a competition. I would usually see them towards the evening when they came back from practice.”

Limpanich said it was constantly quiet in the apartment, especially during the spring semester when the

gymnastics season was in full swing.

While her roommates were constantly busy gearing up for their meets, they managed to make time to see friends and hang out with each other at the apartment.

Similarly, Regan said Dancy is often at practice or supporting other MSU sports at community wide events. They have busy schedules, making it difficult to see one another in their free time.

“I have class eight hours a day, so I see her sometimes, sometimes not,” Regan said. “She does more social things too but I know she’s busy.”

A HAUL OF THE FRIDGE

“Shakira eats pretty clean, I think she’s vegetarian,” Regan said. “She’s always cooking things that look like they’re really good for you, including using nutritional yeast and plant based coffee creamer. I rarely see her eating junk.”

“(Dancy) eats pretty healthy, more than most,” Castaneda said. “She makes smoothies

all the time and I do too but she knows how to always add certain supplements, powders, proteins and lots of other things.”

Despite misconceptions about what athletes can and can’t eat, Limpanich said her roommates enjoyed junk food even in the thick of the gymnastics season. They had their fair share of sweets regardless of food expectations mid-season.

EXPANDING SOCIAL CIRCLES

Limpanich, an international student from Thailand, said that living with Smith, Mitchell and Raybon was a great way to get to know other students, specifically those on the gymnastics team.

Despite a busy work schedule, she was able to meet several gymnasts when they would come to the apartment or when joining in on events outside the apartment.

“I did meet the team when I went to one of the girls’ birthday dinners,” Limpanich said. “I was the only non-gymnast there. They were all pretty nice and it was great.”

Both Castaneda and Regan said living with an MSU athlete has also been a learning experience and that they look forward to learning more about athletics throughout the year from Dancy.

Castaneda said she has already learned from Dancy, specifically in relation to time management. From watching Dancy successfully divvy up her time and complete athletic and academic requirements, it’s caused her to rethink how she balances her own commitments.

Regan and Castaneda have also expressed interest in becoming more involved in MSU athletics and attending track and field meets when their schedules allow.

“I like to know what’s going on at MSU and that’s another aspect that I haven’t been knowledgeable about but I know it’s very big here,” Castaneda said. “I’m open to learning more about what she does.”

Senior Shakira Dancy, wearing number three, placed third in the women’s 400-meter dash. Michigan State hosted the Spartan Invite, their first home meet since 2019, at Ralph Young Field on April 1-2. State News File Photo.

Lea Mitchell, a senior all-around gymnast on MSU’s gymnastics team. Photo courtesy of Zachary Fisher.

All-around senior Nyah Smith on the balance beam at the meet against Michigan on January 30, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. The Spartans lost to the Wolverines 197.925 to 196.775. Photo by Lauren Snyder

We, too, have lost all confidence in the Board of Trustees

By State News Editorial Board feedback@statenews.com

MSU is in turmoil.

President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. has resigned, leaving us with an incompetent, ineffective Board of Trustees.

The faculty senate, student government and the university council have all passed votes of no confidence toward the Board of Trustees before Stanley’s resignation. MSU leaders and professors have reprimanded the board’s behaviors. Even high-profile politicians have weighed in.

And yet, the board has not owned up to its lack of transparency.

We still don’t know the full reason why Stanley’s contract was under discussion. We’ve done our best as a student publication to bring you the answers. Believe us, we’re still trying, but we need the board to give the MSU community the transparency it needs.

Students are confused. A total of four presidents will have served over just a fiveyear period at this university. But something we wish to emphasize through our coverage: Stanley’s resignation has a different tone.

His predecessors also resigned surrounding controversy over Title IX, but they were called out for their failure to uphold Title IX , not striving to come into compliance. Before Stanley’s resignation, controversy surrounded the business school dean’s removal and the failure to certify the Title IX compliance form.

Stanley said he supported the provost’s decision to remove the dean and that the board was to blame for the failure in the Title IX certification. He’s made his

position clear, so why is he the one resigning?

We’re having a hard time finding fault in Stanley’s decisions in these controversies. It seems like the fault lies on the Board of Trustees.

If that’s not the case, we wouldn’t know — this board has failed to be transparent once again. Despite our in-depth reporting, many questions are still unanswered.

Elections are coming up. Michiganders have the opportunity to elect two members to join our Board of Trustees. We’ve got you covered with articles on every angle of the trustees, including the four candidates on your ballot. We encourage you to research and see who you want to fill these seats.

If the board has the power to shove a president out for seemingly following the rules, we should be wary of who we are putting in these positions of power.

Which candidate deserves MSU’s support? What do they stand for?

The board itself needs some type of evaluation. The best place for that to come from is the public, at the ballot box.

Like the students, faculty and our president, we have lost confidence in the Board of Trustees as it currently stands.

The State News Editorial Board comprises Editor-inChief SaMya Overall, Managing Editor Dina Kaur, City Editor

Drew Goretzka, Culture Editor Miranda Dunlap, Sports Editor Sam Sklar, Copy Chief Claire Grant, Multimedia Editors Devin Anderson-Torrez and Rahmya Trewern, Social Media Manager Lauren Snyder, Staff Rep. Maddy Warren and Diversity Rep. Jada Vasser.

“We still don’t know the full reason why Stanley’s contract was under discussion. We’ve done our best as a student publication to bring you the answers. Believe us, we’re still trying, but we need the board to give the MSU community the transparency it needs.”

State News Editorial Board

MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., left, and Trustee Dianne Byrum, right, listen at a press conference at the Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 13. Photo by Annie Barker

community authorities

By Kayla Nelsen knelsen@statenews.com

Residential assistants are the first faces Spartans see on campus when they wheel their green move-in carts to the entrances of their dorms every fall. They plan floor bonding events, facilitate roommate agreement guidelines and respond to crises in the middle of the night.

For journalism senior Marvin Pride, his residential assistant position in Bailey Hall is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on fellow students. In his second year on the job, Pride stays in contact with residents from last year — he even goes to football games with them.

“I wanted to help people and to make sure people have a voice when they don’t feel like they do and just be someone’s biggest advocate,” Pride said. “Just knowing that you’re having an impact on someone and that they’ll cherish that for the rest of their life is huge.”

International relations fifth-year Abraham Yum said his residential assistant position in Bailey Hall is

about sharing the on-campus culture he experienced in his underclassmen years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I just wanted to connect and to pour back into the younger generation of MSU students,” Yum said.

Residential assistants, or RAs, live on each floor of every on-campus housing option. Their role is to maintain residents’ safety and respond to emergencies, host social events and act as a resource for their residents, environmental economics and management junior Noelle Chan, who is an RA in Shaw Hall, said.

“Making sure that the residents feel safe, feel welcome ... it sounds silly, but I do think it makes a difference,” Chan said. “College is such a culture shock to a lot of people and talking to people is hard.”

The RA position does not come without challenges. As an authority figure, Chan considers safety to be the number one priority, but she said there is sometimes a barrier between RAs and their residents.

“It’s hard because I want to love my residents so much and I want to be their friend, but also there’s a line between

friend and mentee,” Chan said. Pride said the reasoning behind the disciplinary actions that RAs take are often misunderstood.

For Yum, being an authority figure to fellow undergraduates has taught him to become more patient.

“We’re all students here together,” Yum said. “It helps hone my own skills to be more patient as an individual.”

In addition to late-night rounds and emergency situation management, RAs are confided in for mental health crises and cases of sexual assault. Pride said he considers the other Brody neighborhood RAs to be an integral support system for the heaviness of the job.

or pay the electricity bill ... it’s just something that doesn’t have to cross my mind at all and this is going to be the only time in my life that that’s ever going to be the case,” Chan said.

Marvin Pride Journalism senior

“At the end of the day, you’re helping someone,” Pride said. “You’re making sure they feel comfortable living in their home and being a mentor and being a friend. That’s the biggest thing we want to do, but if that doesn’t happen, and we’re more seen as that figure that just disciplines, that sucks, but sometimes it’s reality.”

“Honestly it’s the connections and the lifelong friends I’ve made ... they’re my go-to people,” Pride said. “We laugh with each other, sometimes we cry with each other. We’re all there for each other and I think that’s the biggest benefit ever.”

As a financial incentive, room and board expenses are covered for RAs. This benefit takes a large amount of stress out of the housing process, Chan said.

“As someone who is very involved on campus and is juggling many balls in the air, not having to come home and necessarily prepare a meal for myself

The RA position is open to students who have lived on campus for at least one year and meet certain academic requirements. Candidates then undergo an interview process. The Residential Education and Housing Services, or REHS, team looks for students who are highly involved and enjoy engaging with other students, REHS Associate Director of Communications Bethany Balks said.

“We have a diverse campus and we want to make sure that our RAs are able to support all the students that live with us,” Balks said.

Pride said he encourages students to apply for the RA program only if they genuinely want to advocate for and support their peers.

“This job is so rewarding,” Pride said.

“You can change someone’s life by just being their RA and being their friend.”

Photo by Annie Barker

Residential Assistant Noelle Chan poses for a photo in East Shaw Hall on Oct. 19. Photo by Annie Barker

Residential Assistant Marvin Pride poses for a photo in Bailey Hall on Oct. 19. Photo by Annie Barker

By Vivian Barrett vbarrett@statenews.com

Whether you have five roommates or 29, cooperative housing offers a community-centered living experience.

Co-ops are structured around a democratic, self-governance style membership. Every individual has set responsibilities they have to complete throughout each semester. For psychology senior Maeve Denshaw, this includes occasionally cooking meals for all 21 of her housemates.

“I love my job,” Denshaw said. “It can be stressful, feeding 21 people, but you can get creative with it.”

Other chores may include doing the grocery shopping for the house, cleaning hallways or bathrooms and being in charge of filing maintenance requests.

Each member of the co-op has a vote in the way the house is run, including who moves in. After filling out the online application through the Student Housing Cooperative, potential house members attend a community dinner at the house they are looking to live in.

Afterward, the current house members vote on accepting the new resident.

“The idea is that it’s a group of people who support one another,” Denshaw said. “And have the competence, but also the confidence, to support a group of people in a living situation.”

Cooperative housing often has lower living costs than other forms of student housing. Denshaw said

this is because rent is paid to the Spartan Housing Cooperative and not a landlord. All MSU co-ops are not-forprofit organizations and rent is set at the minimum cost.

House members determine charges beyond rent through voting. House charges make up the house budget. The budget funds expenses like grocery

shopping, utilities and money to put into savings.

Public policy senior Sky Stillwell has lived in cooperative housing at MSU since 2020. Stillwell said their favorite part of co-op living is the community created within the houses.

“I’m the executive vice president

Community living: An inside look at cooperative housing Neighborhood Showdown: Where is the best place to live on campus?

By Liz Nass lnass@statenews.com

For on-campus students, where you live can make or break your year.

Dorm living can be contentious, cramped in a hotel-room-sized living space. Despite this, being surrounded by thousands of students in a similar situation can create a sense of community.

With five neighborhoods to choose from, Michigan State University students have strong feelings about one of the more widely debated topics on campus: which neighborhood is the best and why.

EAST NEIGHBORHOOD

East Neighborhood is an eclectic community space. Hugging the northeast corner of campus, the neighborhood includes Akers, Holmes and Hubbard Halls. It is also home to the Wharton Center, IM East and the Business College Complex. Dining options include The Edge at Akers and Holmes Dining Hall.

The neighborhood is characterized by the iconic MSU frat party song, “First Day Out” by rapper Tee Grizzley, in which he shouts out Hubbard Hall – his dorm when he attended MSU.

Lyman Briggs sophomore Autumn Shook, who lives in West Holmes, she felt removed from the rest of campus.

“I was in Lyman Briggs and (East) was nice in the sense (that) most of my

classes were in the building that I was living in,” Shook said.

Shook said eating at Akers’ dining hall was one of the worst aspects, compared to the better meals offered at Brody or Shaw.

SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD

South Neighborhood is known for housing athletes, sports fans and James Madison College students. Situated on the southwest side of campus, there are four dorms to choose from: Case, Wilson, Wonders and Holden Halls. Students can dine at South Pointe at Case and pick up a snack from two Sparty’s Refreshes or Holden Hall’s

grab-n-go option.

Mechanical engineering sophomore Sydney Dillon chose to live in South Neighborhood for two years. A fiveminute walk from sports centers, she said it’s the perfect place for active students.

“I have truly enjoyed my experience here, as I am close to gym and workout facilities like IM West, as well as sports arenas like Munn Ice Arena, the Breslin Center and Spartan Stadium,” Dillon said in an email. “I also love being close to other STEM majors – it is a community.”

Political science prelaw sophomore Abbey Apple also prefers that the suite-

style dorms don’t have community bathrooms, preferring to clean herself.

BRODY NEIGHBORHOOD

Tucked away on its own corner of campus, Brody Neighborhood is known for feeling like its own community. Brody is the newest collection of dorms at MSU.

Brody consists of Rather, Armstrong, Bryan, Bailey, Butterfield and Emmons Halls. The neighborhood has only one dining hall and one Sparty’s in Brody Square, yet it is considered one of the best dining halls on campus.

Political science prelaw sophomore Ryan Weingarden likes Brody’s community aspect. You can regularly find students participating in a game of volleyball outside.

Weingarden was happy to have a community style bathroom so he didn’t have to clean it. He also loved how easy it was to go out at night, with Grand River Avenue being a short walk away. However, Weingarden said the rest of campus feels distant.

Pre-nursing sophomore Alexis Johnson has lived in Brody for two years. She said that Brody has some of the best access to transportation.

“A lot of people think it’s far from things, but it’s not as bad to me because there’s a bus stop right outside my dorm,” Johnson said.

Johnson said she has met many great people in Brody – forming bonds with not just college peers, but also custodial

and vice president of membership for the co-ops as well,” Stillwell said. “So, it’s a really stressful job, but having my housemates there to support me and be a family for me is definitely my favorite part.”

While Denshaw is only in her second month of co-op living, she said the best part is the different kinds of people she has been able to meet.

“The people here are accepting of everyone,” Denshaw said. “It doesn’t matter who you identify as, what race you are, how rich or poor you are, it doesn’t matter. You have a space in this house. And, it brings in a wide variety of amazing people and I think I needed that.”

For students looking at living in cooperative housing, Stillwell said it is important to remember the goal is to create a living community, not just to find roommates.

“It’s also an intentional community,” Stillwell said. “So, you have to be ready to work towards that and live cooperatively with your housemates as well. That’s definitely a difference to other housing options and something people really should be ready for.”

and food staff.

RIVER TRAIL NEIGHBORHOOD

River Trail Neighborhood is parked closely to the nature trail that cuts through campus and faces the Red Cedar River. It brings the scenery of campus right to the students’ windows.

McDonel, Owen, Shaw and Van Hoosen Halls comprise River Trail Neighborhood. The Vista in Shaw and Thrive at Owen both keep the students fed, but most dorms are within a short walking distance of the International Center, the Wells Hall Starbucks and the Minskoff Pavilion Panera Bread.

Noelle Chan is a resident assistant, or RA, for East Shaw Hall. She loves the community she has made in the neighborhood, the location’s scenery and the amenities. Chan also said while she is not super close to off-campus activities, she is in prime location to get Panera combos – a commodity at a much larger price.

With her RA experience, Chan likes the diverse options for students to accommodate their needs.

“River Trail is the most diverse in terms of the housing options because you’ve got the community styles (in Shaw),” Chan said. “You have the suite styles in McDonel. You have singles in Owen and ... Van Hoosen is like shared rooms, it’s like an apartment.”

Bowie co-op alumni get matching tattoos. Photo courtesy of Maeve Denshaw.

“The idea is that it’s a group of people who support one another,” Denshaw said. “And have the competence, but also the confidence, to support a group of people in a living situation.”

Maeve Denshaw Psychology senior

Williams Hall on March 25, 2019. State News file.

Experts break down economic impact of MSU on East Lansing

By Wendy Guzman wguzman@statenews.com

Michigan State University — as well as the students, parents, staff and faculty that come with it — is the economic engine that runs the city of East Lansing.

A town of about 14 square miles, East Lansing has a population of around 47,000 and a median age of 21, according to the city’s community profile.

What differentiates East Lansing from any regular town is that there is a university at its center.

Does East Lansing need MSU?

“Obviously (East Lansing) gets most of its economic base from the university,” economics professor Ronald Fisher said. “It’s different because there are a lot of students who live here.”

East Lansing’s position as a “college town” puts it in a unique economic situation. Different from a big city with a college in it — in New York, for example, there are colleges but the city isn’t financially dependent on it — it’s hard to imagine what East Lansing would be without MSU.

According to Census data analyzed by Data USA, in 2020, the majority of East Lansing’s population was in the 18-24 age range, at 54%. This age group has topped the population for many years. Nearly 41% of the city’s

population is between 20 and 29.

On top of the students, the university carries ties to thousands of alumni who remain in the area post-graduation.

“(The MSU community) obviously brings a ton of foot traffic to our downtown, especially on game days, or things like that, where you have alumni returning, parents, friends, other things like that,” East Lansing’s community economic development specialist, Matt Apostle, said.

Apostle is part of East Lansing’s Economic Development Division which focuses on business outreach, downtown event planning and infrastructure that could increase community engagement across all people who make up East Lansing’s population.

“The interesting question is, ‘Would East Lansing exist if the university wasn’t here?’” Fisher said. “And the answer is, yeah, it might be here. And maybe there’ll be something else here to support the local economy besides the university.”

East Lansing and the Greater Lansing area have a number of manufacturing and automotive facilities — as well as the State Capitol next door — that could serve as the economic background of the area if the university wasn’t there.

However, as of 2020, educational services make up the largest group of employment industries in East Lansing

residents, according to American Consumer Survey data.

“The character of the place would be completely different,” Fisher said. “We wouldn’t have students, we wouldn’t have the type of people who are work for the university. We attribute (that) to the local economy.”

Fisher said the university is the base for East Lansing’s economy and while the city can critique the university, they could also argue that all economic activity is tied directly or indirectly to it.

Should businesses invest in a college town?

The niche makeup of a college town offers different opportunities for people looking to start or expand a business.

“I think a college town is a unique population,” Apostle said. “You not only have students of all ages … we have a lot of faculty or other individuals with highly educated, creative people living in the city of East Lansing.”

Fisher said some businesses are attracted to college towns because of the student market and others are attracted to the strong and stable economy it offers.

Apostle said the university benefits from East Lansing being in a healthy economic state as well. Residents are attracted to lively atmospheres and are drawn to businesses in downtown East Lansing.

“It’s a matter of wanting to make the downtown lively, make it a place that people want to be,” Apostle said. “If better businesses are coming downtown, people go to those businesses, and then that helps the economy of the city in general.”

East Lansing developments Apostle said his team is interested in diversifying their development in the city and getting more service providers and retail.

East Lansing has seen a number of developments downtown, specifically with the handful of high-rise apartment complexes outlining the city in the last few years. East Lansing’s SkyVue Apartments opened to residents in fall 2017, the Hub On Campus and Landmark opened in 2019, the Abbot opened in 2020 and University Edge opened in 2021.

Fisher, however, doesn’t think it’s necessarily a trend, but more long-term natural development.

As for the rise in businesses opening downtown, Fisher said he would attribute those to the pandemic.

“We went through a period during the pandemic, (where) a lot of businesses closed,” Fisher said “...

And now either things are reopening, or new things are coming into play.”

In the downtown area, businesses like D.P. Dough, Detroit Wing Company, Goodfellas Bagels, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and Playa Bowls have all opened in the last year. And more are coming – an Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Juice dual storefront, for example, will also open soon.

Despite the apparent changes in the last five years or so, Fisher said that the base of the university in East Lansing hasn’t changed.

If MSU was not in East Lansing, perhaps something else would take its economic place, Fisher said. The dynamic of a college town is interesting and ever-changing like the community that resides in it.

“Even though we’ve got new buildings, the same thing that is supporting those buildings as it was before it,” Fisher said. “The students (are) both directly renting apartments and indirectly funding the university, so that all of us, the employees, can live here and spend money, too. So I think that’s sort of the underlying economic base.”

Apartment complexes are sprawling across East Lansing: How does this change the city?

By Lily Guiney lguiney@statenews.com

On a busy afternoon inside Hooked, a joint bookstore and coffee shop, the scene is like any other small business found in a mid-sized city across America. People chat over coffee, college students study at the tables by the window and children eye the colorful covers of the books in the kids’ section.

When you look out the window, however, you might not see the view you’d expect. Instead of a quaint downtown street with trees and sidewalks, Hooked has found its home amongst several massive apartment complexes on Michigan Avenue – one of which is still under construction.

Cafe manager Jaie Bemis said that in recent months, the slightly unorthodox location is starting to yield positive results as students who occupy the neighboring high-rises have become frequent patrons.

“At first, it was sort of tough because we were in the middle of construction,” Bemis said. “So not a lot of people knew how to get to us, or were sort of intimidated by pulling down this lane. Especially when they were doing stuff like the big construction equipment.”

The story of Hooked is one that’s become increasingly common in East Lansing, as new developments for apartment or condo complexes continue to spread into the outer reaches of the city. Michigan State University urban planning professor

Igor Vojnovic said the buildings themselves might not be a problem, but where they’re located could be.

“What we’re missing is density,’’ Vojnovic said. “We want more people downtown. We want a greater population.”

In his career studying what kinds of infrastructure make cities most ecologically beneficial and economically successful, Vojnovic has found that large high-rise buildings aren’t the villains some make them out to be. He said it’s often better to build up instead of out.

In a city like East Lansing, that means developing new student housing downtown, rather than on the outskirts.

“You bring students in, you bring more people in, it means that the place will become more dynamic,” Vojnovic said. “There is a greater likelihood that someone will go out at 10 o’clock and want to go to a store. There’s a greater likelihood that stores and restaurants

will remain open into later hours.”

There’s a problem, though. Buildings closer to the downtown section of Grand River Avenue, like The Landmark or Hub On Campus, come with a considerable price tag attached that makes them out of bounds for many students.

Neuroscience senior Khushi Kapoor, who’s lived in the Hub since 2021, said that the features that attracted her and other students to The Hub can also be some of the factors that make it so pricey.

“I think especially with the amenities like the study rooms, the pools, I think that definitely attracts people,” Kapoor said. “Housing is very

expensive. So then you kind of lose options like more affordable housing.”

Even so, Kapoor said that buildings like the Hub, that are built quickly and designed to fit as many tenants as possible, come with issues of their own.

“I think everyone kind of has the impression that the Hub is always falling apart a little bit,” Kapoor said.

Maintenance problems, especially flooding, have posed challenges for the residents of large apartment complexes. For other members of the community, the buildings on the west side of town can feel like part of the sprawling Frandor shopping center.

For the owners of Hooked, the benefits of a location in a newly-built

complex outweighed the proximity to a source of traffic problems and a nonwalkable area.

“We ended up here because it’s a joint project between East Lansing, Lansing and Michigan State,” Bemis said. “And it’s a response to the ecological problems of Frandor at the moment – it’s just a giant parking lot.”

Vojnovic said areas like Frandor and the surrounding apartment complexes are an example of suburban sprawl that distances people from local businesses and schools. The staff of Hooked are hopeful that new small businesses on the lower levels of the apartment buildings will bring vitality to the neighborhood.

“But it’s hard to tell so far out how that kind of thing plays out,” Bemis said. “So it could just be insurance companies and places you don’t just walk into. Because they can pay the rent.”

As long as MSU’s student population continues to grow, so will the expansion of apartment complexes in East Lansing.

They might not be everyone’s aesthetic choice for the city, but they’re here to stay, at least until development becomes more focused on downtown.

Students and the members of the community walk around downtown East Lansing outside of Clever Clover on Sept. 7, 2022. Fall marks the start of East Lansing businesses seeing more foot-traffic as students return from summer break. Photo by Annie Barker.

Hooked, a combination book store, cafe, wine bar and community space, held a small soft opening on April 15. State News file.

College essentials for your dorm, apartment or house

By Dipika Rao drao@statenews.com

Between picking out classes, searching for roommates and juggling work, extracurriculars and academics, it’s easy for students to get caught up in the flurry of activity at the start of a school year.

Without fail, no matter how prepared you think you are, you will realize there are many things you are missing as you adapt to the college lifestyle. For students wondering about what exactly to get, here’s a guide to college essentials that will maximize your housing experiences.

FOR YOUR DORM

1. Comforters

Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial in college, but it can be hard to do in small dorm beds. Purchasing a great comforter can make sleeping a lot easier. Bedding can really make or break how welcoming your room is and a comforter will keep you warm while elevating decor.

2. Mirrors

For a lot of the suite-style dorm rooms, the only mirror available for students is mounted in the shared bathroom.

International relations sophomore Rory McMahon said that having a full-length mirror can really come in handy.

“My roommate and I forgot (one),” McMahon said. “I didn’t realize how much I checked my outfit in a day, so not having one was kind of unfortunate … I’d check all the tiny mirrors above my table.”

3. String Lights

Dorm lighting can be hard on the eyes, and an even bigger problem may arise when it’s time to sleep but your roommate(s) are still studying. McMahon recommends fairy or string lights to help tackle this issue.

“It’s something I can’t live without,” McMahon said. “We use them about every day, I think it just makes the room really, really homey. Even people who have LEDs – just anything but the harsh lighting, honestly.”

4. Mini Vacuums

College students don’t always have time to stay on top of cleaning, so when they do, it has to be quick and efficient.

Mini vacuums are your solution., as they don’t take up a lot of storage space.

“I think it’s the most helpful thing ever,” international relations sophomore Dhriti Marri said. “(For) two girls with long hair, it’s like the worst thing ever if you don’t have a vacuum.”

Marri also said Swiffers are great, relatively inexpensive tools for cleaning dorm rooms.

5. Storage Spaces and Organizers

One of the largest problems students run into with dorm living is the lack of space.

“You don’t really have a lot of space in your desk and stuff like that,” Marri said. “Bringing your own organizers and boxes, that’s really helpful.”

Similarly, McMahon advised students to invest in rolling carts to store various bedside items, like hairdryers, nail kits, chargers and stationery.

“I bought some organizing drawers, multiple of those,” McMahon said. “Those really helped. I also have desk organizers … and a three-tier drawer for clothes. That really helps, just having that for extra clothes because you don’t have a lot of space.”

FOR YOUR APARTMENT OR HOUSE

1. Lamps, Alternate Lighting

Much like residence halls, apartments or houses may come with harsh lighting, a lack of natural light or shoddy lights in certain spots, making lamps and bulbs a high priority.

“At my apartment, there aren’t any lights in the bedroom,” German language senior Nolan Rachocki said. “I needed to buy a lamp ASAP. I

remember the day I moved in, I bought a small bedside lamp, and that (wasn’t) even enough, I ended up buying another lamp later on.”

2. Television

For many students, moving from dorms to apartments or houses means gaining a communal room where you can gather with roommates and friends.

With this comes the possibility of movie nights, game-watching parties or just the general perusal of cable and news channels. But first, you’re going to need a TV.

Mounted or not, TVs are great sources of entertainment – just make sure your apartment lease either includes one or allows for its installation.

3. Desks

It may seem obvious, but desks are a definite must-buy. Similar to lights and TVs, your apartment or house may or may not come with desks, which are useful for both work and organization.

Rachocki said for him, a designated space where he could focus was essential.

“I am a person that can work in bed, but only on the computer,” Rachocki said. “But a desk is definitely required so I don’t do all my work in bed.”

With the help of desk organizers, you can also keep your room clean and functional.

4. Silverware, Food and Cleaning Supplies Without access to the dining halls, it falls on a lot of students to cook and do their own dishes. This can be a large shift for students to become used to.

Applied engineering sciences junior Noel Vizzeswarapu emphasized the importance of good cooking utensils, as well as general foodrelated utilities.

Vizzeswarapu, who lived in a dorm before transitioning to an off-campus apartment, said the increased need for cooking supplies and silverware was the biggest change he’d noticed from living in a residence hall.

In addition to plates, mugs, bowls, pans and cutlery, you’ll also need cleaning supplies. Don’t forget to have sponges, dish soap and surface cleaners on hand.

5. Posters, Paintings and Festive Decor Setting up aesthetic decorations around your place will truly help make it your home away from home.

“I have a few posters, and then I just have a bunch of 4-by-6 printout pictures,” Rachocki said. “I like hanging them up all over my wall. I also have knickknacks here and there. I have this calendar where it has the date on it, and then you rip out the page every day.”

For students looking for decorations to adorn their walls, specifically, MSU’s University Activities Board hosts poster sales throughout the year at the Union.

They sell posters and tapestries depicting various artists, albums, movies, books, quotes and artwork, and have something for nearly every aesthetic.

6. Air Conditioning and Space Heaters

Even if your house or apartment does come with air conditioning and heating, it’s nice to be prepared for Michigan’s erratic weather trends.

“(Our house) provides air conditioning, it just doesn’t work,” Biosystems engineering sophomore Ethan Hartwig said. “Technically, it has both (AC and heat), but it’s really bad.”

Hartwig said he relies on extra fans and space heaters to even out the temperature when necessary. Student housing amenities are not always the most reliable, so make sure to come prepared for the worst.

Illustration by Madison Echiln

HITS AND SWISS-MISSES: RANKING HOT COCOA OFFERED ON GRAND RIVER AVENUE

charge $4.09.

Final ranking: 1.25/10

When the weather becomes unbearably chilly and the heat in the newsroom just isn’t cutting it, State News staffers must venture to keep warm with a winter staple.

On Grand River Avenue, there is ample access to a quick hot chocolate fix. The only question is: Which shop offers the best cup of cocoa?

We ordered a medium cup of hot chocolate at four locations with no customizations and a large at Mitten Raised. We took thickness, price and overall flavor into consideration. Here’s how each cup ranked.

FIFTH PLACE – DUNKIN’ DONUTS

Don’t worry – Dunkin’ didn’t have the slightest chance of topping our list this time around. The collective disgust in the newsroom was palpable amidst this sampling. It had a slimy texture as if the milk had been left out too long. But the torture didn’t stop there – it also had no taste. You can have either horrible texture or horrible taste, but we’d argue you can’t have both and still

FOURTH PLACE – STARBUCKS

As a newsroom full of Starbucks addicts, this cup left us disappointed. Starbucks, usually known for its reliable consistency, dropped the ball. They went far too heavy on the mocha syrup and much too light on the sweetener, resulting in an overly bitter taste. The beverage felt like it stuck to your mouth with a grit –an immediate palette cleanser was needed. It was also too watery. After all of this, they still had the nerve to price this monstrosity at $4.19.

Final ranking: 2/10

THIRD PLACE – BLUE OWL

This hot chocolate was about as mid as it gets. We didn’t have any major complaints – it was a nice break from the previous disgust that we had to endure – but it simply tasted like Swiss Miss. We could have made this at home and it would have been nearly as good. Plus, Swiss Miss wouldn’t have cost us a whopping $4.25.

Final ranking: 4.75/10

State News Staff

SECOND PLACE – MITTEN RAISED

This is how you successfully sell a cup of satisfactory hot chocolate. For just $2.25, we received a solid cup of cocoa, both sweet and thick enough. The price was one of the saving graces for this cup, so it had to make our top two. We will say, it was a tad too milky, but at this point, we didn’t have room to be too picky.

Final ranking: 6.63/10

FIRST PLACE – FOSTER’S

Thankfully, we saved the best for last. This cup had notes of cinnamon and spice balanced with a perfectly chocolatey flavor. At $5, Foster’s overcharges for an exceptional hot chocolate. However, it also had a pleasant consistency, not too watery but not overly thick. For once, the flavors and spices overpowered the milkiness. We think the price is worth it, but maybe not more than two times a week, max.

Final ranking: 7.75/10

Disclaimer: We wanted to include Campbell’s Market in our ranking, but in true McDonald’s-like fashion, they said they couldn’t serve us a cup because their espresso machine was down. They’re safe from our criticisms for now ...

But don’t get too comfortable.

The State News tries hot chocolate on Oct. 21. Photo illustration by Devin Anderson-Torrez.

“We didn’t have any major complaints – it was a nice break from the previous disgust that we had to endure –but it simply tasted like Swiss Miss.”

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FALL FAVORITES: STATE NEWS

STAFFERS REVIEW AND RANK 3 CIDER MILLS

By State News Culture Desk feedback@statenews.com

Orange and red leaves float delicately to the ground. A crisp chill blows in the wind. October boasts the perfect conditions for the Midwest’s favorite autumnal activity: visiting a cider mill.

The State News’ culture reporters visited three cider mills in the area to answer perhaps the most difficult question of all time: Which cider mill reigns supreme?

We took several factors into consideration during our investigation: the cost at each mill, the freshness, flavor, texture and variety of each donut selection. We tasted each gallon of apple cider carefully and bought or picked fresh apples at each location, to which we reviewed the crispness and juiciness. Once we finished our snacks, we considered the available fallthemed activities.

THIRD PLACE –PHILLIPS ORCHARD

Donuts: 8/10 Phillip’s donuts had a cakey texture, coated generously in sugar with a slight crunch to the outer coating. However, the donuts were incredibly skinny, leaving us slightly unsatisfied by the portion.

Cider: 9/10 There was clearly more than just apples going on here. There was a whole host of holiday spices with notes of cinnamon and clove. It also wasn’t overly sweet.

Apples: 3/10 These apples looked gorgeous – but biting into them was a different story. Under the snappy exterior was a mess of grainy, mushy and mealy madness. They were also the most expensive apples of the bunch.

Environment: 5/10 The location consisted of a small store, a corn field and a few nice trees. There was little

seating, except for a few picnic tables and a collection of logs directly next to the highway. The store was kitschy – the overall vibe of the mill is best described as quaint.

Price: 8/10 The price was reasonable. Not a bang for our buck, but it didn’t break the bank.

Overall Score: 6.6/10

SECOND PLACE – UNCLE JOHN’S CIDER MILL

Donuts: 6/10 These donuts were cakey but they lacked flavor. We were able to revive them by dipping them in the cider, but on their own, they were bland.

Cider: 6/10 This cider didn’t blow our minds. There was a potent vinegar taste that overpowered the cinnamon-y freshness we expected. It was enjoyable enough but not the best we’ve had.

Apples: 7/10 The apples tasted better than one you

find in a grocery store, but they certainly didn’t exceed the expectations we had for an apple grown on the premises in terms of freshness.

Environment: 10/10 What the mill lacked in flavor, it redeemed in fun. Featuring a mill, corn maze, apple orchard, wine tastings and a large gift shop, Uncle John’s Cider Mill feels like a small municipality. There is something for everyone here – we were able to keep entertained by the acres of gorgeous scenery and various activities for hours. You are also able to watch the cider and donut making process, which amplifies the farm-totable experience.

Price: 6/10 This mill was a little expensive. It cost us $5 each to explore the corn maze and our total for cider and donuts was a bit higher than we would have liked, considering the quality.

Overall Score: 7/10

FIRST PLACE – COUNTRY MILL ORCHARD & CIDER MILL

Donuts: 10/10 Warm. Sugary. A variety of flavors to choose from, including pumpkin, apple and buttermilk. At a cakey and crispy equilibrium, these donuts rocked our worlds and did not earn a single complaint.

Cider: 4/10 The cider missed the mark. We simultaneously looked down at our cups with confusion, because the beverage had no taste.

Apples: 10/10 This mill had such a vast array of apple trees that one of our reporters actually managed to get lost. Once he was found, however, we came to the consensus that these were the best apples we

ever had and he would have been fine with living off of them had he not made his way back. The apples had a solid crunch and just enough juice. They were small, a perfect portion for snacking.

Environment: 8/10 A sizable gift shop offered a wide array of jams, syrups and knickknacks. The apple orchard was extensive, with two kinds of apples offered. The mill also built its own adult-sized slide out of corrugated tubes — we took full advantage of that.

Price: 10/10 Here, you’ll find an experience similar to Uncle John’s at a cost students can love. The corn maze was

free. For just $10, we received a large tote bag to fill with U-pick apples – we were able to collect several pounds. The donuts and cider were unbelievably inexpensive, despite the quality.

Overall Score: 8.4/10

To be clear, we had a blast at every cider mill that we visited. We do, however, hope our comprehensive review allows you to visit the cider mill that best offers what kind of experience you are seeking.

Happy autumn, from culture desk to you!

The State News culture desk at Phillips Orchards and Cider Mill on Oct. 7. Photo by Audrey Richardson

Country Mill in Charlotte on Oct. 14. Photo by Audrey Richardson

A worker makes peanut covered caramel apples at Country Mill in Charlotte on Oct. 14. Photo by Audrey Richardson