State News The
GEU wins contract After a long string of protests, negotiations and frustration, the Graduate Employees Union settled on a contract with MSU which includes higher compensation. SEE PAGES 6-7
To the
finish line
PHOTOS: WYATT GIANGRANDE
At some point during the team being swarmed by a flock of media and photographers, their coach, MSU Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Walt Drenth, walked across the infield to congratulate his one-two punch of distance stars Leah O’Connor and Rachele Schulist. “That’s it,” he told them. “We won ... nobody can catch us.” To read more about the track and field team, see pages 10 and 12. To read about the women’s coveted win, go online to statenews.com
OPINION
HUMANS OF EL
Editorial: MSU wrong to allow assailant on campus After violating sexual harassment policy, student should’ve stayed off campus — PAGE 2 T HU R S DAY, MAY 2 1, 2 015
@THESNEWS
“Every year, there are new students coming in. It’s funny to watch them; how they react. It’s a big book store. ... I like watching people here.” Jim Page, a longtime employee at the Student Book Store — PAGE 10
STAT ENEWS .COM
NEWS
Marijuana laws confusing for some Although East Lansing has decriminalized marijuana use, Michigan has not — PAGE 4
Opinion
Rachel Fradette Opinion editor opinion@statenews.com @thesnewsopinion
EDITORIAL: Assailant’s exception to trespass a slap in the face to survivors
C A R TO O N
I thought if I disguised myself like a guy MSU would reply to my requests not to have my sexual assailant allowed at graduation.
BENNIE GIST
O P I N I O N P O LL W E D N E S DAY ’ S R E S U LT S
How hard are your online classes compared to your face-to-face classes? 18%—Harder. My online classes are impossible. The classes move way too quickly!
33%—Equal. Both my online and face-to-face classes are challenging. 50%—Easier. My online classes are a breeze compared to all of my face-to-face classes. 40 VOTES AS OF 12 P.M. WEDNESDAY
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIN-CHIEF Olivia Dimmer
As a public university under federal investigation for allegedly mishandling sexual assault cases, one would hope MSU would do everything in its power to avoid harming survivors more than it already has. But the Office of Student Affairs and Services took it one step further this pas commencement by allowing an exception to trespass for a former students who was dismissed after being found in violation of sexual harassment policy last year. The student was tried under university misconduct hearing regulations and found guilty. He was deemed a danger to the student body, and to his victim. And MSU let him walk through the doors of Breslin Center to attend commencement. In a letter to the editor written by the survivor, who asked only to be identified by her first name of Ashley, she detailed how she was just starting to recover from PTSD and move on with her life. And in one email, MSU took back what little justice they had offered her by allowing her assailant back on campus. Ashley was notified of her assailant’s return to campus six days beforehand, according to email correspondence between Ashley and MSU’s Department of Student Affairs and the MSU General Counsel obtained by The State News. She was planning to go to commencement in order to watch her friends graduate. Because of the exception to trespass, she decided to stay home. In an email to The State News, MSU spokesperson Jason Cody wrote, “Careful consideration is given to weighing the request against our ability to protect the campus community. On the limited occasions when permission is granted,
Tidal could change music streaming for college students
OPINION EDITOR Rachel Fradette STAFF REPRESENTATIVE Leslie Hemenway INCLUSION REPRESENTATIVE Matthew Argillander BY RACHEL FRADETTE RFRADETTE@STATENEWS.COM
Welcome, 2015 Odyssey of the Mind World Finalists! Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishment! We’re sure you'll enjoy your stay at Michigan State University in East Lansing, making friends from around the world and memories that last a lifetime. It is our honor to transport you to and from Detroit Metro Airport with our deluxe fleet of motorcoaches. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service —and please come back again soon!
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THE STATE N E WS
THURSDAY, MAY 21 , 2 01 5
there are very clear constraints communicated to the requestor; if any of those constraints are violated, the requestor is subject to arrest.” From George Will’s commencement speech in December to this fiasco, MSU seriously needs to reevaluate their treatment of sexual assault survivors who suffered on their campus. Many student groups on campus dedicate their time to aiding survivors in reporting their assaults and preventing such crimes from occurring, but their work is all undone by an administration which creates an unsafe environment for survivors. At The State News, we believe every student has the right to a safe, harassment-free university environment. This decision blatantly went against creating a safe space for students. After the outrage and large protests which resulted from MSU’s paying controversial columnist George Will to speak during December’s commencement, MSU should have noted how rape apologists can affect the well-being of survivors and their supporters. Inviting a students the administration itself found guilty of sexual harassment is nothing short of a slap in the face to survivors. Because ultimately, this decision shows that even if students are able to prove they were assaulted, and their assailant gets expelled, they are welcome back to the university. All they have to do is ask. When discussing sexual assaults on campus, the phrase “It’s on you MSU” is thrown around as a play on the national “It’s on Us” to stop sexual assault campaign. Well, it’s still on you MSU. And it’s time you started acting like it.
The phrase “Rome wasn’t built in a day” definitely comes to mind when considering Jay Z’s new music streaming website, Tidal. Several artists have signed on in support of the site, including Madonna, Jack White and Kanye West. The main concept setting Tidal apart from Spotify and Pandora is that it’s the first hi-fidelity lossless music streaming site. Lossless means the audio is high definition, therefore ensuring the music has greater sound quality. The fledgling site has not received the major attention founders were expecting because of several anti-Tidal campaigns. They claim Tidal is not as good of a deal as other forms of music sharing, and that it gives musicians more power and money. Tidal has over 770,000 subscribers, but is that a filtered number? If not, it could include several subscribers who are simply riding out their free month or voucher. Two things that could make a difference as the site hopes to gain an audience is accessibility to the masses and pricing. The deciding factor in the battle for music sharing is college students. College
is a time of exploring one’s self, and that leads to broadening interests, such as music consumption. Spotify offers a student discount for their premium package, appealing to college students — the largest social group that uses their site. The site works to distribute wealth evenly among the musicians to ultimately benefit all of the artists. Tidal could close a gap between the highly-profitable mainstream artists and up-and-coming indie artists. Tidal is on its way, but if it is to succeed against its competitors, it must consider its main audience — college students. Lower prices and the introduction of new, indie artists could also assist in Tidal’s success. College tends to be a time when music fans become interested in newer and less mainstream music, which is where Tidal could thrive instead of Spotify and Pandora. Tidal charges $19.99 a month for a hi-fi subscription and $9.99 for a premium subscription. College students are always on a budget, so Tidal wouldn’t appeal to them price-wise. However, when considering how expensive iTunes can add up to be, Tidal could pay off in the long run. iTunes has long been established as the hegemon of music streaming and downloads, and they will always be Tidal’s largest competition. Tidal could change the look of music streaming for the next generation of music consumers much like MTV altered the music scene in the 1980s. The deciding factor of its success will be whether or not it can get young people, specifically college students, on board.
Contents INSIDE
Editorial: MSU wrong to allow dismissed assailant on campus
Local artist uses energy and stones to create personal jewelry
Steeplechase an eclectic and demanding sport
PAGE 2
PAGE 9
PAGE 10
MSU Theatre releases 2015-16 season, includes “Grease,” “Pride and Prejudice” BY JAKE ALLEN JALLEN@STATENEWS.COM
The MSU Theatre’s 2015-16 season “A Season of Journeys: From Baltimore to Points Beyond” has just been announced. Each production will take place at locations across campus. These include the Arena Theatre, the Pasant Theatre, Studio 60 Theatre and the Fairchild Theatre. The theatre’s first production of the season,
13 DA I LY N U M B E R
“I’d like to mix the cultures. I’m from the Middle East, from Egypt, so ... I found (Egyptian and American styles) mixed together is really nice.”
Number of years is how long Teacher’s Assistants worked without a pay raise before the Graduate Employees Union was formed
VOL . 105 | NO. 144
CONTACT THE STATE NEWS (517) 432-3000 NEWSROOM/CORRECTIONS (517) 432-3070 feedback@statenews.com GENERAL MANAGER Marty Sturgeon (517) 432-3000 ADVERTISING M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (517) 432-3010 ADVERTISING MANAGER Griffin Engel COLOPHON The State News design features Acta, a newspaper type system created by DSType Foundry.
“Baltimore” by Kirsten Greenidge, will take viewers inside a college dorm, to the heart of a racially-charged incident. The play was conceived at MSU and is part of the Big Ten New Plays Initiative. The 2015-16 season will also include productions of “For Tonight,” “Stage Door, “Freshman Showcase: The Monkey King,” “The December Project,” “And Away We Go,” “Pride and Prejudice,” as well as “Grease.” For a complete schedule, check online at statenews.com
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East Lansing resident Naglaa Seoudy, on how she creates her handmade jewelry
The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Subscription rates: $5 per semester on campus; $125 a year, $75 for one fall or spring semester, $60 for summer semester by mail anywhere in the continental United States. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the MSU community. Additional copies $0.75 at the business office only. State News Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Ave. during business hours.
THUR SDAY, MAY 21, 2015
EDITORIAL STAFF (517) 432-3070 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Olivia Dimmer CONTENT EDITOR Michael Kransz OPINION EDITOR Rachel Fradette COPY CHIEF Amber Parsell DESIGN EDITOR Lauren Shields Copyright © 2015 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich.
THE STAT E NE WS
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News State law negates city marijuana decriminalization BY JOSH THALL JTHALL@STATENEWS.COM
Although the proposal to decriminalize marijuana was passed May 5, East Lansing officials said they do not expect much change in how use and possession of marijuana is enforced. The passage of the proposal decriminalizes the possession and use of up to one ounce of marijuana on private property in East Lansing by an adult 21 or over, but officials said it
has caused some confusion among city residents as to what the ordinance will actually change. East Lansing city prosecutor Thomas Yeadon said the passage of the proposal concerns him, because residents might not understand that marijuana is still illegal in East Lansing, as both state and federal laws still prohibit the drug. “There’s also concern that people might think it changes the laws that apply to campus,” Yeadon said. “And our ordinances have never applied on campus anyway, so it clearly has no effect on campus either.” Campus is not affected by local city ordinances because it is an independent agent of the state government. Yeadon said he is concerned the proposal has, and will, misinform people as to the status of the law regarding marijuana. East Lansing police Lt. Steve Gonzalez also noted there has been confusion regarding the newly passed ordinance and what it actually means for the city. “The confusing part for a lot of people is that they have to understand that, despite the fact that the city ordinance is changing, that does not mean that the state law is changing,” he said. Gonzalez said the East Lansing police officers have been
instructed by Michigan’s attorney general to enforce the state law, and residents in East Lansing will still be arrested or issued a citation for the use and possession of marijuana. “As a sworn police officer, the officers have both the authority, but also the obligation to enforce state law, along with city ordinances within the jurisdiction that they work,” Gonzalez said. Yeadon said one of the main changes due to this ordinance being passed will be who prosecutes those arrested or issued a citation by the ELPD, since there is no longer a city ordinance against marijuana. When it was prohibited under the East Lansing ordinance, most of the offenders were prosecuted by the city attorney. But now that it is decriminalized and state law will be used to issue tickets and citations, the offenders will be prosecuted by the county, Ingham County prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said. “If the officer chose to write the ticket or citation under city ordinance, which they usually do, it would go to the city attorney,” Dunnings III said. “If, for whatever reason, they chose to write it under state law, then it would come to the prosecutor’s office.”
Students use sparsely populated campus to explore MSU, build friendships BY JAKE ALLEN JALLEN@STATENEWS.COM
According to Kat Cooper, director of communications for residential and hospitality services, the number of students living on campus this summer has dwindled from a fall and spring average of 14,500 to only 345, a shrunken population that comes as a boon to some summer cafeteria workers and dorm residents. Brianna Losey, a kinesiology freshman and summer resident of Bailey Hall, said the comparative ghost town of a campus means greater opportunities to orient herself before the much busier fall semester begins. “(Being) a freshman living on campus during the summer is nice because it allows me the space and time to get to know the campus without it being completely congested,” Losey said. “It will be good to prep me for the fall.” But there is a down side to summer on-campus living because
the transient dorm population of summer doesn’t provide the same ‘home feeling’ as the regular semesters, Symphony Ollie, a kinesiology freshman and summer resident of Bailey Hall, said. “We were kind of like a family during the fall and spring with the floor meetings we had to have,” Ollie said. “I have never seen my RA. I don’t know who she is and we have been here since Thursday for the summer semester. It’s kind of weird not knowing the people on your floor. Campus is kind of dead right now too.” Bailey Hall, like the other two campus residences available in the summer, was open for students to move in May 14. But unlike Owen Hall and University Village Apartments, which are only available to those students who have reservations to live there during the fall, Bailey Hall has no restrictions on student summer residents. The limited campus offerings isn’t exclusive to the dorms
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either. The only cafeterias open during the summer are the Vista at Shaw, which is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Brody Square, which is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For communication senior and cafeteria worker Angela LaMar, working food service in the summertime means an easier workday. “During the fall and spring semester the cafeteria is more packed and a lot of people come in,” LaMar said. “During the summer it’s pretty chill.” And for human development and family studies junior Demitria Powell, that relaxed atmosphere is a time for sparking friendships and getting to know the other summer workers. “I feel like the relationships with my coworkers are a lot more intimate now, whereas during the school year it’s always so busy,” Powell said. “Now that we are slow, you can develop a lot more relationships and be a lot closer with people than during the school year.”
Getting a head start on studying for summer classes
DO YOU HAVE A HEARING LOSS? You may qualify to participate in a research project on the effects of aging and hearing loss on speech understanding. You must be a native speaker of American English to qualify. The study requires 6-9 visits of 2 hours each. Study title: Effect of age and hearing loss on spectral integration and speech identification. Payment: $10.00 per hour $100.00 bonus upon completion of the entire project Principal Investigator: Mini N. Shrivastav, Ph.D.
Call the MSU Auditory Perception Laboratory: 517-432-7087 OR
E-mail at msuapl@yahoo.com
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Bella Dicarlo and Tommy Quin of East Lansing study together after class at Bubble Island, 515 E Grand River Ave. Dicarlo says when she needs the extra tutoring, Quin assists her. PHOTO: ASHA JOHNSON
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THE STATE N E WS
THURSDAY, MAY 21 , 2 01 5
Michael Kransz Content editor campus@statenews.com @thesnews
HUMANS OF EAST LANSING
BY ANN ZHUANG PHOTO: ASHA JOHNSON
RELIGIOUS GUIDE Look for this directory in the paper every Wednesday and online at: www.statenews.com/religious Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd., E. Lansing Between Hagadorn & Park Lake Rds. (517) 337-9703 Sunday Worship: 10am Sunday School: 9am Adult Bible Study: 9am ascensioneastlansing.org Edgewood United Church, UCC 469 N. Hagadorn East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-8693 Sunday: 10am LGBTQ Celebrating, Justice and Peace Congregation www.edgewood.org Faith Fellowship Baptist Church 1001 Dakin St. Lansing, MI 48912 517-853-9897 Sunday Morning Worship: 11am Sunday School: 10am Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study: 6:30pm Van service available to church Campus Bible Study: Thursday at 7:30pm in Chemistry Bldg. www.ffbc.us
Weekly Bibly Studies & Students’ Meetings. littleflock.msu@gmail.com littleflock@hotmail.com www.littleflock.org Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-0778 martinlutherchapel.org Sunday: 10:30am & 7:00pm Wednesday ON FIRE : 7:09 pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) Okemos Community Church 4734 Okemos Rd. Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 349-4220 www.okemoscommunitychurch.org Sunday Worship: 10am Sunday School: 10am-11:15am Adult Studies: 9am & 11am
One Community-Lutheran (ELCA)/ Episcopal (TEC) Campus Ministry 1020 South Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-2559 www.facebook.com/onecommunitymsu First Baptist Wednesdays: On campus Church of Okemos Student Worship 7:00pm 4684 Marsh Road (at MSU Alumni Chapel) Okemos, MI 48864 Sundays: 8:30, 10:45am (at (517) 349-2830 University Lutheran Church) www.fbcokemos.org Worship Celebration - Sundays Sundays: 8:00, 10:00am (at All Saints Episcopal Church) at 10:45am Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 898-3600 Sunday Worship: 8:45am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15am Sunday Evening: Small Group Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm www.greaterlansingcoc.org Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St., E. Lansing (517) 332-1916 Friday Night Services: 6pm, Dinner: 7pm September - April
Jim Page Haslett resident Age: “I don’t keep track,” he laughed. Page is a Student Book Store supervisor with a tenure just shy of 37 years. Being around campus so long, Page has seen a lot of changes. Back in the day, he said, the building that now houses SBS used to be a movie theater. But the fresh faces on campus never cease to bring him enjoyment.
“Every year, there are new students coming in. It’s funny to watch them; how they react. It’s a big bookstore. ... I like watching people here. It’s enjoyable. Helping customers is another thing. (I) make sure they find their textbooks, art supplies and different things.”
Islamic Center of East Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4309 www.Lansingislam.com info@Lansingislam.com 1st Friday Prayer: 12:15 pm 2nd Friday Prayer: 1:45 pm Little Flock Christian Fellowship A Non-DenominationalEvagelical Church MSU Alumni Chapel (Basement Hall) Sunday Worship Service: 10am-12 Noon. Fellowship Lunch after the service
Peoples Church 200 W. Grand River Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-6264 www.peoples-evolution.org Sunday Worship: 10:30am Tuesday: Love Life: 7-9pm Wednesday: Dinner at 5:30pm, Journey at 6:30
St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C. Ave., E. Lansing (517) 337-9778 Sunday: 8am, 10am, 12pm, 5pm, 7pm www.stjohnmsu.org Trinity Church 3355 Dunckel Rd. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-3820 Saturday: 6pm Sunday: 9:15 am, 11am http://trinitywired.com College/Young Adult Service Sundays at 11am in the Student Auditorium Unity Spiritual Renaissance 230 S. Holmes St. Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 484-2360 or (517) 505-1261 Sunday: 10:30am Wednesday: 6:30pm meditation Office: Monday-Thursday 9:30-12:00 University Baptist Church 4608 South Hagadorn Rd East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4144 www.ubcel.org 10 AM Worship service 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 Sunday School University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-5193 universitychristianwired.com Sunday: 11:15 am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15 am University United Methodist Church MSU Wesley 1120 S. Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-7030 universitychurchhome.org msuwesley.org Sunday: 10:30am 9:00am Garden Service in the summer TGIT: 8:00pm Thursdays Sept. - April
Quan Am Buddhist Temple, MSU Meditation Center 1840 N. College Road Mason, MI 48854 (517) 853-1675 (517) 347-1655 www.quanamtemple.org 7-8:30pm Every Thursday Red Cedar Friends Meeting 1400 Turner St. Lansing, MI 48906 (517) 371-1047 redcedarfriends.org Sunday Worship: 9:00am, 10:30am River Terrace Church 1509 River Terrace Dr, East Lansing, MI (Across from Hubbard Hall) (517)-351-9059 riverterrace.org Sunday: 9 am & 11:15 am w/ Shuttle Service
WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbott Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 580-3744 www.msu.edu/~weisluth 6:00pm Saturday
Religious Organizations: Don’t be left out of the Religious Directory! Call 517-432-3010 today to speak with an Account Executive
T H U RS DAY, MAY 2 1 , 2 01 5
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Spotlight Graduate Employees Union grapples with history of low wages, benefits Coming off of a string of protests during the negotiation of their new contract, graduate employees spent finals week grading papers and protesting benefits BY CAMERON MACKO CMACKO@STATENEWS.COM
When most students were frantically cramming for their exams the last week of spring semester, a dedicated group of activists and negotiators were fighting for what they believe is appropriate compensation from the university. It was teaching assistants and graduate employees who are, for many, the face of many of their classes, doing a sizable amount of the grading and teaching for the nearly 40,000 undergraduate students at MSU. From shutting down Grand River Avenue to confronting President Lou Anna K. Simon, the Graduate Employees Union’s bargaining team was able to negotiate a new contract just before their old one would have expired on May 15. History of the issue The first contract given to TAs was signed in 2002. Before then, conditions for graduate employees were rough, GEU lead organizer Meredith Place said. “Before TAs had a union, there hadn’t been an increase in wages at MSU for 13 years,” she said in an email. “GEU’s first contract set standards that allow TAs to bargain more effectively to support their well-being and profes- Members of the Graduate Employees Union listen as state Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., D-East Lansing, speaks outside the Nisbet Human Resources Building on May 7. PHOTO: OLIVIA DIMMER sional development.” The most recent contract, The GEU represents 80 perA n a rbibesides the one trator was cent of TAs at MSU and TAs are just negotiated, “Salary and healthcare brought in, responsible for between 30 and was signed in and tuition waiver are whose report 50 percent of all freshman and 2011 and includwas expected sophomore instruction, accorded a negligible the three big economic for the sum- ing to MSU’s academic goverpay increase issues and we have to mer of 2015, nance website, though that perbecause of the do a kind of juggling and the GEU centage is slightly lower at MSU. aftermath of The GEU’s proposals included claims the the 2008 reces- act between the three a three-legged stool of demands: administras ion . T h e i r things.” tion cannot healthcare, a pay raise and an healthcare benSylvia Marques, unilaterally increased tuition waiver. efits, howevGEU President “Salary and healthcare and tuidouble back er, were agreeon a contract tion waiver are the three big ecoable to the GEU. That was until last summer, agreement. President Simon nomic issues and we have to do when the insurance provider, told the Lansing State Journal a kind of juggling act between Aetna Inc., no longer provided that MSU simply couldn’t offer the three things,” Marques said. Because of this juggling act, the same benefits. MSU admin- healthcare that isn’t provided the GEU didn’t have a specifistration said it was because of by Aetna. The most recent round of nego- ic number in mind for a base the increased costs associated with the Affordable Care Act. tiations began in January 2015, salary, however the number of More of the healthcare costs well ahead of the May 15 expi- $15,000 for a base salary was thrown around at many of the were then pushed onto graduate ration date. GEU’s activism events. employees, GEU President Sylvia The GEU also demanded a Contract proposals Marques said. She said because Both the GEU and the admin- comparable healthcare agree- A graduate employee does TA work during a sit-in at the Nisbet Human Resources Building on May of the limited pay of most gradu6. Many students sat for hours, all while grading finals. PHOTO: OLIVIA DIMMER ate employees, any more out-of- istration assembled bargain- ment to what they received pocket expenses would be diffi- ing teams to hash out a new under the last contract. A third major area of the negocontract. cult to cover.
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THE STATE N E WS
THURSDAY, MAY 21 , 2 01 5
Michael Kransz Content editor mkransz@statenews.com @thesnews
ONLINE
“I had offers of support from three other universities when I decided to come to Michigan State. My scores on the GRE were near perfect (I missed one math question). I had bachelor’s degrees in both biology and geological sciences. I received a very generous fellowship offer from MSU. Now, in my fourth year as a PhD student, my husband and I are expecting our first child, and I am closely following the proceedings of the GEU/MSU contract negotiations.” “I am alienated by the language that the university bargaining team is using, both as a professional and, if you look forward about 3 weeks, as a parent. As a fellowship student who is close to graduating, the new contract will have little effect on me, but my own bottom line isn’t what makes it important.” Go to statenews.com to read more of this letter to the editor and others written by members of the GEU as well as see video of the protests.
Graduate employees gather around during a grade-in inside the Nisbet Building on May 7. The sit-in was held for two days. PHOTO: OLIVIA DIMMER
tiations centered around a tuition waiv- graduate employees showed a “funer. Under the last contract, graduate damental (insensitivity) to families,” employees were guaranteed nine cred- because some have children and work its in the fall and spring and five in the for the university as a teaching assistant, Marques said. Many children summer. Marques said other universities gave a could be seen at these events, includfull tuition waiver, which was the guid- ing the infant son of Elizabeth Kenyon, a graduate employee in the College of ing idea behind negotiations. None of the members of the admin- Education. She brought her five-month-old son istration’s bargaining team who were reached out to responded to requests both because she didn’t have childto comment and reporters were not care that day and because she wanted allowed in the negotiation meetings. to make a point. “This was a choice that I made but one However, problems the administration had with some of the GEU’s proposals, that was sort of necessary to make, givaccording to Marques and Place, includ- en my age and my husband’s age and ed a budget strapped for money, and, things like that,” Kenyon said. “It’s important that I feel with the tuition waiver, supported and respectthey didn’t want frivo- “Before TAs had a ed in regards to that lous credits being takunion, there hadn’t choice I made.” en by students. been an increase She said later in a letter to The State News Activism in wages at MSU that her program, the All of that took place for 13 years. GEU’s Curriculum, Instrucinside of the bargaintion and Teacher Eduing room. Outside of first contract set cation Ph.D. program it, the GEU organized standards that allow has been incredibly a series of events to TAs to bargain more supportive, howevshow support. One effectively to support er “this support is the major event includexception to the rule.” ed a three-day grade- their well-being During the negotiain during exam week and professional tions, the administrain the Nisbet Builddevelopment.” tion brought in a mediing, just feet from the Meredith Place, ator — a sign of talks bargaining room. On GEU Lead Organizer wrapping up, Place the last day, state Sen. said. They scheduled Curtis Hertel Jr., D-East the mediator for one day, May 7, and Lansing, came to show support. One of the last events included an when an agreement was not reached, attempt to confront President Simon the administration pulled out of all of in her office to deliver demands and a the next week’s bargaining sessions, petition with 1,166 signatures, though saying the mediator wasn’t free again until June. Only a few days later, MSU she was not in her office at the time. A major GEU talking point was how agreed to meet on the previously agreed the administration’s policies toward upon dates.
Teacher education doctoral student Adam Schmitt and anthropology doctoral student Kate Frederick grade papers during a grade-in on May 6 at the Nisbet Building. PHOTO: OLIVIA DIMMER
“I think pressure from our membership is due in large part for their reasons to come back,” Place said. Results On May 13, a deal was struck and the GEU quickly claimed victory in the negotiations, though the administration sees it differently. Key provisions of the agreement include maintaining affordable, quality healthcare, a 2 percent annual raise beginning August 16 and an increase to the minimum stipends by 10 percent in the first year of the contract and 5 percent in the third year of the contract, a GEU statement read.
The GEU did not receive the full tuition waiver. As of Monday, the contract still had to be ratified by the GEU, at which point it would apply from May 16 onward and last until May of 2019. MSU spokesperson Jason Cody said they didn’t see the agreement in terms of winner and losers, though until it is ratified more specifics of the contract cannot be discussed. “I can say we are very pleased we were able to reach a tentative agreement with the members of the GEU and their leadership,” Cody said. “The negotiation process worked. We went to the bargaining table, both sides were able to talk about their concerns and we were able to reach a consensus that was amicable to both sides.”
T H U RS DAY, MAY 2 1 , 2 01 5
TH E STATE N E WS
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Crossword
L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
News
Outdoor parks offer chance for recreation
ACROSS
1 GM car buyer’s option 7 Make more powerful, with “up” 11 White lie 14 Illinois River city 15 “Gift From the Sea” author __ Morrow Lindbergh 16 Milk 17 Go back 18 Not quite closed behind you 20 Foreman foe 21 She played TV’s Maude 23 Food processor job 24 Serengeti scavenger 26 Try to hit 28 Turn to the right, say? 30 Chess activity 34 Tailless cat 36 Poetry or painting 37 Published in installments 38 George’s lyrical brother 39 Strangers’ exchanges 41 Important time period 42 Protective embankments 44 “So it was you!” 45 Work meas. 46 “Cat got your tongue?” 47 East Lansing athlete 49 Banded rock 51 Easy __
54 Pub pick 57 Jan. honoree 59 Stain 60 Dancing style that went viral on YouTube in 2013 62 Mocha resident 64 Studio creation 65 Poet __ St. Vincent Millay 66 Cooks slowly 67 Crown installer: Abbr. 68 Poker request 69 Poker request, and a literal hint to what’s hidden in the answers to the starred clues
DOWN
1 Angel Network charity founder 2 Hockey Hall of Famer Cam 3 *Cold War fleet 4 Square root of nove 5 Auto safety device 6 Give a star, perhaps 7 See 61-Down 8 Like some bands 9 Out of shape 10 *Honey and Boo Boo, e.g. 11 McIntosh alternative
12 “This __ outrage!” 13 Baffin Bay sight 19 Matthew Fox or Peter Coyote 22 Latin stars 25 Put the kibosh on 27 *Wings eaters’ aids 29 Dutch portraitist Frans 31 *Austroasiatic language 32 Countess’ husband 33 Big chunk 34 Wire units 35 House painter’s calculation 37 Char 39 *Prepare for a bath 40 Great divide 43 Peak in an Eastwood film 45 Scale fourths 47 Earth pigment 48 Tangle with 50 Say “prob’ly,” say 52 African language group 53 Like new bills 54 VA concern 55 Gobsmacked 56 Al Green’s “__ Stay Together” 58 Harp constellation 61 With 7-Down, Hayworth title role, with “My” 63 Yoga __
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Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO WEDNESDAY’S PUZZLE
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5/21/15
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© 2015 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved. THE STATE N E WS
THURSDAY, MAY 21 , 2 01 5
Westphalia, Mich., resident Carlee Fox, 6, goes down a water slide during the 2014 Summer Splash event, July 30, 2014, at the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center. The event celebrates the 14th anniversary of the center. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO
JESSICA STEELEY JSTEELEY@STATENEWS.COM
Being on MSU’s campus in the summer can sometimes feels like walking through a ghost town. Sure, there are people around, but nothing compared to the 40,000 students usually overtaking campus during the fall and spring semesters. This place may seem uneventful in the summer, but don’t be tricked into thinking there’s nothing to do. East Lansing is full of places to visit for activities in the summer, some that aren’t even available during other times of the year, such as blooming gardens, scenic parks, and beaches and waterparks. Most have heard of MSU’s W. J. Beale Botanical Garden, but the MSU Horticulture Gardens and the MSU Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden aren’t as well known. “They’re absolutely stunning. It’s just a great place to stroll through,” the Horticulture Gardens’ program coordinator Jennifer Sweet said. Sweet said the Horticulture Gardens are located on the corner of Bogue Street and Service Road and are always open to the public. Described by Sweet as a scenic view with a relaxing atmosphere, the Horticulture Gardens cover 14 acres of land and would take about an hour to walk through. Sweet said after students discover them, they’ll
often come back to eat lunch, work out or just explore the area. Also open to the public everyday are the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens, which are located right next to the Horticulture Gardens and cover a half acre of land, education coordinator Jessica Wright said. “It’s a bright and colorful place,” Wright said. “The themes are created by children for children.” Some of these themes include an “Alice in Wonderland” maze, a secret garden and a small, outdoor theater.
“It’s a bright and colorful place. The themes are created by children for children.” Jessica Wright, education director for the Horticulture Gardens
But if the weather’s too hot for exploring, there are always the beaches around East Lansing, as well as the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center located on Abbott Road. “It’s a nice place to just go and cool off,” aquatic and athletic coordinator Jim Jennings said, adding the waterpark is a good place to go, whether you’re splashing on slides or relaxing in the sun. Jennings said the Family Aquat-
ic Center also offers activities for people who don’t want to swim, such as an interactive splash pad for young children, chairs for tanning and a sand area used to build sand castles. The Aquatic Center opens May 29. Other places to swim include the beaches at Hawk Island County Park in South Lansing and Lake Lansing Park South in Haslett. Lake Lansing is the largest body of water within 30 miles of Lansing and includes a sandy beach and 30 acres of grass to picnic and bask in the sun on. Beachgoers can also play volleyball or horeshoes. The fee to enter the park is $3 for Ingham County residents and $5 for all others. Another activity is hanging out under the oak trees at Potter Park, home of Potter Park Zoo. “It’s … a fun place to be, kind of ‘be a kid again’ type of place,” assistant education curator Jennifer Horvatin said. Potter Park Zoo has hundreds of animals, Horvatin said, and covers about 20 acres of the 100-acre park. During the summer, the zoo offers a variety of seasonal activities, such as camel rides, zoo art, a goat petting zoo and reading with animals. Take your extra downtime this summer to explore these places, and discover the community that exists outside of MSU’s main campus.
Features
Michael Kransz Content editor mkransz@statenews.com @thesnews
Egyptian native uses personal style to craft handmade jewlery BY LESLIE HEMENWAY LHEMENWAY@STATENEWS.COM
For some people, jewelry is a way to spice up an otherwise drab outfit. For East Lansing resident Naglaa Seoudy, it’s a livelihood and a calling, as she constructs jewelry and sells it online. Seoudy said she first began making jewelry five years ago. She said she loved buying necklaces and bracelets but quickly became bored with their arrangements and would often redesign them. Once she realized she had a knack for it, she began purchasing gemstones and creating jewelry to give to her friends. Eventually, she decided to start selling her pieces online. Seoudy was one of the many artists at the East Lansing Art Festival this past weekend, a new experience which she said was a lot of fun. “Meeting different people from different countries, seeing new talents ... it’s really nice,” she said. Dozens of her colorful necklaces, bracelets and more were proudly on display at her booth during the festival and attracted many intrigued customers. Seoudy said jewelry making, though it started out simply as a hobby, has completely changed her life. The process of designing necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry has taught her patience and creativity, she said, adding how she’s learned to draw inspiration from everyday life, such as the trees and buildings she passes by. Seoudy said her process of design has changed through time and experience. She’s gone from using silver-plated and gold-plated jewelry to adding silver and gold themselves to her pieces and said she wants to continue adding different materials. “I’d like to mix the cultures,” she said. “I’m from the Middle East, from Egypt, so ... I found (Egyptian and American styles) mixed together is really nice.”
Naglaa Seoudy awaits customers to view and buy her handmade jewelry May 17 at the East Lansing Art Festival. Seoudy discovered her love for making jewelry when she would take apart her own necklaces just to put them right back together. PHOTO: ASHA JOHNSON
One thing that will always remain the same, though, is the use of gemstones in her pieces. Seoudy said she finds them far superior to anything else, and they’re her absolute favorite part of the design process. “When you start wearing gemstones, you wouldn’t go back to wearing plastic stuff,” she said. Each stone has its own energy and can bring people different feelings, such as calmness and confidence, she said. She recommends starting out by wearing your birthstone and then adding other stones you like. Seoudy has no plans of slowing Students who are registered as a full time student and paid The State News subscription fee for the current semester may receive a refund of that fee if they do not wish to support the student newspaper. Refunds will be paid during the first 10 days of classes at 435 E. Grand River.
Naglaa Seoudy shows off the prices and the quality of her handmade jewelry to customers May 17 at the East Lansing Art Festival. PHOTO: ASHA JOHNSON
Proof of payment of the fee and a photo ID must be presented. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
T H U RS DAY, MAY 2 1 , 2 01 5
down with her jewelry making. Jewelry making has inspired her to go back to school. She’s currently taking online courses with the New York Institute of Art and Design in order to become a certified jewelry teacher. She said she hopes to be able to show people how great it is to construct their own pieces. In addition to that, she’s considering opening up her own business. “When you (make) stuff by your (own) hand, you will get a wonderful feeling,” she said. “It’s yours, with your vision. You will enjoy it.”
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Sports
Michael Kransz Content editor mkransz@statenews.com @thesnews_sports
Steeplechase an elaborate, demanding and rewarding part of Track and Field BY RYAN SQUANDA RSQUANDA@STATENEWS.COM
Redshirt freshman track and cross country runner Max Benoit crossed the finish line at the 2015 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships, immediately went to all fours and laid on his back. He was exhausted. There are a lot of events at a typical college track meet, but none are quite as unique as the one Benoit had just completed — the 3,000-meter steeplechase, where runners are subject to jumping over a series of steeples several feet off the ground in a race that spans nearly two miles around the track. And to top it all off, in addition to four barriers located around the track, competitors have to jump over a fifth one with a giant water pit on the other side. It sounds downright brutal to the average person, but for Benoit, all the challenges it entails are exactly what drew him to the event in the first place. “I always wanted to do something that was different,” Benoit said. “And the steeplechase satisfies that need. It’s such a cool race. All the barriers — it’s like the perfect mix of everything.” At times, it can be hard to find someone willing to put themselves through this kind of race, but MSU director of Cross Country and Track and Field Walt Drenth said when he and his staff do look for someone, they’re on the lookout for the best athletes. “We do a lot of work over hurdles, the entire team, we do hurdle mobility,” Drenth said. “So we try to pick out athletes. We’re trying to pick out people that manage and aren’t afraid of the hurdles ... when we’re doing that, it sort of starts there.” Drenth said there are still times, however, when an athlete seeks out the steeplechase simply out of their own curiosity, and it usually works out they just so happen to be distance runners with a competitive edge. Benoit fits all those attributes. As a lifelong hockey player before he got to college — with past hurdle experience as well — when Benoit heard Drenth was holding a meeting for those interested in steeplechase, he didn’t think twice about attending. And he’s never turned back, most recently clocking a 8:51.32 for a fourth place finish at the Big Ten Championships. For senior Leah O’Connor, she didn’t even know what steeple-
Teammate and senior Leah O’Connor (right) embraces junior Katie Landwehr after becoming the first athlete in Big Ten history to win the steeplechase for four consecutive years during the Big Ten Conference Championships May 16 at Ralph Young Field. PHOTO: WYATT GIANGRANDE
chase was when Drenth told her he thought she could be good at it. And the first time she tried it, she remembers it taking her somewhere in the ballpark of 12 minutes to complete.
Redshirt freshman Max Benoit competes in the men’s steeplechase competition during the Big Ten Conference Championships May 16 at Ralph Young Field. PHOTO: WYATT GIANGRANDE 10
THE STATE N E WS
THURSDAY, MAY 21 , 2 01 5
“I thought I was going to die,” O’Connor said. Since then, though, the rest is history. After five years of hard work, O’Connor has gone on to four consecutive Big Ten titles and the 2014 national championship in the event. “Luckily, Drenth just kind of encouraged me along in it and I kept practicing my hurdling,” O’Connor said. “It wasn’t honestly until (2014) that I actually started to figure out how to hurdle correctly. I could never finish my trail leg. I feel like (Drenth) was beating me over the head trying to get me to get this down and he’s been very persistent and patient at the same time.” As for fellow Spartan steeplechase juniors Katie Landwehr and Chris Collier, who finished third and eight in their respective Big Ten steeplechase races, they came into college at a bit of an advantage over Michiganians Benoit and O’Connor. Hailing from states that compete in the steeplechase in high school — Landwehr, Ohio; and Collier, New York — both had prior experience in the event. In the case of Landwehr, she always wanted to participate in steeplechase all through high school, but her dad and coaches never let her for fear she could get hurt. But one day she asked her coach anyway, and to her surprise, her coach said yes. Despite Landwehr and Collier’s prior experience, they also commended Drenth for how much they’ve been able to improve in college. “I wasn’t very good at it (in high school),” Collier said. “But Coach (Drenth) helps us all along and if he’s sees a little bit of decent hurdle form, he’ll work with you real well.” As for training for the event, Benoit said it’s not a whole lot different from the training regimen of a typical distance runner, with some hurdle and steeple practice sprinkled in on the side. “Once a week, we’ll do some hurdle stuff, like hip mobility and hurdle mobility,” Benoit said “We’ll practice running over hurdles ... every once in a while we’ll do a track workout where we actually go over the barriers, but it’s just pretty much do what we’d be doing if we weren’t doing the steeplechase.” But in the end, those who do it, do it because they love it. “I’ve really fallen in love with steeple,” O’Connor said. “It’s totally different than any other event ... it’s really tough, but it’s really fun.”
Quick reads
Men’s baseball tops last year’s season
BY MATT ARGILLANDER MARGILLANDER@STATENEWS.COM
ONLINE Keep tabs on the baseball team as they compete in the Big Ten Tournament and check results online at statenews. com
Senior infielder Mark Weist and senior infielder Ryan Richardson talk to head coach Jake Boss Jr. on the field April 14 during the game against Michigan at Comerica Park in Detroit. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 4-2. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO
Two sexual assaults reported in E.L.
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forced sexual contact, occurred May 14 at the 100 block of Albert Avenue. More details could not be revealed, Gonzalez said, because the investigation is ongoing. However, Gonzalez did confirm detectives have some leads in both cases. —RYAN SQUANDA
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After a less than ideal start to the season, the MSU baseball team dug themselves out of an early hole going 21-8 to finish the regular season, 33-21 overall and 14-10 in the Big Ten. The 33-21 mark is already an improvement over last year’s team which finished the season 31-26. The team finished in a three-way tie for third place in the conference with Michigan and Maryland. “I think if you told us at the beginning of the year that we would finish third in the conference, knowing how good Illinois was and understanding how good this league is, finishing third with 33 wins and a chance to earn an at-large bid (in the NCAA tournament) the guys would have been satisfied with that,” head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. Boss believes that the competition in the Big Ten is tough and that there is not much of a difference in talent between the No. 2 and No. 8 seeds in the tournament. “Whether we’re the No. 2 seed, the No. 5 seed or the No. 7 seed, it doesn’t really matter,” Boss said. “We just need to go out and play good baseball and play the way we’re capable of playing.” The coach is confident that his team will not shrink on the big stage as they prepare for the Big Ten Tournament which will be held at Target Field, home of the
Minnesota Twins. Boss believes his team’s experience playing at Comerica Park and playing against the Lansing Lugnuts have helped prepare them for this moment. “The guys are used to playing in great atmospheres,” Boss said. “They’re used to this kind of stuff. That’s why you come to play baseball at Michigan State, so you can play in that kind of atmosphere.” The Spartans will open the tournament against Maryland on Wednesday in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams. In their inaugural season in the Big Ten, the Terrapins went 36-20 overall with a 14-10 conference record. "(The guys) are excited to play. They’re excited about the next phase of our season and we’ll be ready to go on Wednesday,” Boss said. Should MSU win, the team would take on the winner of the Illinois (45-6-1 overall, 21-1 Big Ten) vs. Nebraska (34-21 overall, 9-14 Big Ten) game. A loss would see the team square off against the loser. Illinois’ only loss in the Big Ten this season came at the hands of the Spartans. MSU will look to play mistake-free baseball as the team is 31-13 this season when committing one error or less. “It’s the same as all year, we need to play fundamentally-sound baseball. We need to put together a good approach to the plate,” Boss said. “We need to play solid defense and throw strikes early in the count and we’ll have a pretty good chance (in the tournament).”
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Sports
Decathlon proves grueling for MSU athletes BY RYAN SQUANDA RSQUANDA@STATENEWS.COM
Tim Ehrhardt couldn’t believe what he had done. Throughout the course of the first two days of the 2015 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Ehrhardt had taken second in the men’s decathlon with a total of 7,349 points, enough to qualify for nationals. And as he stepped up to receive his second place award it appeared he was still in a bit of a haze, as a misstep onto the podium almost caused him to fall off. Even more incredible for the mechanical engineering sophomore, it was his first time competing in the event. Heading into the last event of the day, Ehrhardt needed to clock at least a 4:45 in the 1,500 meter to punch a ticket to nationals. So when he crossed the finish line in 4:42.52, Ehrhardt threw his arms up in triumph. “That was the main thing coming in here,” Ehrhardt said. “I crossed the finish line (in the 1,500) and I was ecstatic. This is the first decathlon I’ve ever done. In terms of being even a decent score, I’m happy. To have gotten second at Big Tens, it’s huge.” A decathlon is a grueling two-day event in which athletes compete in a total of 10 events — the 100 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400 meters on the first day; the 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1,500 meter on the second day. In some cases, just as it was for Ehrhardt and
freshman teammate Justin Pederson at the Big Ten Championships, athletes spend all day in competition. What started on Friday with the 100 meters at noon, continued through day one with the 400 meters at 6:30 p.m. and then into day two with the 110-meter hurdles at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, before the events finally came to a close at 6 p.m. on Saturday with the 1,500 meter. When it was all said and done, Ehrhardt and Pederson had actively competed for a total of 15 hours. “Usually what you’re doing, you’re recruiting athletes who do just individual events or, ideally, a combination of a few events on the track,” said MSU decathlon coach Ceith Creekmur, who competed in the event when he was at college in Miami, Ohio. “When they get to the collegiate level, you convert them to the decathlon.” And for Pederson, that was exactly the case. In high school, Pederson competed in the 100-meter dash, long jump, high jump and 4x200 relay, and remembers reading an email from Coach Creekmur during his junior year, asking if he wanted to compete in the decathlon in college. “He saw some of my videos and saw potential,” Pederson said. “I wasn’t even planning on going to do a sport in college at all. I was kind of planning on coming to (MSU) for school anyways, so it’s kind of a bonus.” For Ehrhardt, he said deciding to compete in the
Sophomore Tim Ehrhardt gets ready to toss the javelin in the decathlon at the 2015 Big Ten Track and Field Championships. PHOTO: RYAN SQUANDA
decathlon was more of an accident than anything. “I came here to do pole vault,” Ehrhardt said. “In high school,
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Sophomore Tim Ehrhardt hits the pit and begins his jump for the bar during the men’s pole vault competition at the Big Ten Conference Championships May 17th at Ralph Young Field. PHOTO: WYATT GIANGRANDE
ONLINE To see a video of the Big Ten Track and Field Championships, go online to statenews.com.
THURSDAY. MAY 21 , 2 01 5
all I really did was pole vault and I was messing around a couple of the other events at practice and turns out I was pretty decent at them ... my coach was like ‘Hey, you want to start training for the heptathlon/decathlon?’ and (I) was like ‘Yeah, I’ll definitely try it.’” While spectators see the effort athletes put in on competition day, Ehrhardt said it’s important to realize there are countless hours of training spent beyond that, all in an effort to be competitive in each and every individual event. Ehrhardt said it can be difficult to find a balance when training for all the events, as it can take an entire month to get just one of the 10 events down. “You always wish you had more time,” Ehrhardt said. “Like going into this meet, I wished I had more time to practice a couple of events like hurdles and high jump. It’s just you want more time ... to train for those events. It’s not really training (that’s the hardest part of a decathlon) because I love training for them.” But despite all the training and competing it takes, Ehrhardt said he has a blast with all his fellow decathletes, whether it be the countless hours he spends practicing with Pederson and sophomore Demarcus Leak, or the days spent competing with athletes from other schools. “You get to know decathletes very well,” Ehrhardt said. “Even these guys out here right now (at Big Tens). I didn’t know (them) before. Spending six hours a day with them, you get to know them real well.”
BIO
Tim Ehrhardt
Class: Sophomore Major: Mechnical Engineering Hometown: Addison, IL High School: Lake Park S TAT S
100 Meter Dash: 10.96 s Long Jump: 7.26 m Shot Put: 12.22 m High Jump: 1.84 m 400 Meter Run: 48.88 s 110 Meter Hurdles: 16.53 s Discus Throw: 37.97 m Pole Vault: 5.25 m Javelin Throw: 44.34 m 1500 Meter Run: 4:42:52 s OV E R A L L
Second Place 7349 Pts