Monday 6/17/13

Helmets to hymns

Former Spartan spurns NFL opportunities for seminary SPORTS+FEATURES, PAGE 6

Chris Norman poses with Farmington, Mich., resident Luke Wilson, 5, on Saturday at Oak Pointe Church, 50200 W. 10 Mile Road, in Novi, Mich.

statenews.com | 6/17/13 | @thesnews Michigan State University’s independent voice

JUSTIN WAN/THE STATE NEWS

Snyder inks budget with higher ed funding boost

HANGING OUT WITH

DAD

Michigan universities looking at 2 percent funding increase next year

By Michael Gerstein mgerstein@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS

I

■■

t’s a steady upward trend: climbing, climbing. That gradual, but merciless climbing. It was $179.75 in 2002, $197.50 in 2003, and $206.25 in 2004. Shave a little here. Add a little there. Jump ahead five years to 2009, and it’s already $347 per credit hour in the fall semester. Then $371.75, $406.75 and finally $420.75 in the fall of 2012.

Tuition is rising. It has been for a long time.

But next year’s $49.5 billion state budget, signed into law on Thursday by Gov. Rick Snyder, includes a 2 percent funding increase for higher education.

It’s a $31.9 million boost for universities and colleges, and the governor, Republicans, college administrators and higher education lobbyists hail it as a victory.

“We should be proud of the fi nancial stability that is now fi rmly established within the state budget,” Snyder said at the bill-signing press conference last Thursday. “This is a great education budget. It’s about investing in our students — our future.”

Republican Speaker of the House Jase Bolger said this

year’s appropriation is a reversal of the decadelong trend.

“We pressed the reset button when we came into office a couple years ago so that we could realign and grow,” Bolger said in an email. “We did that because we believed that when the pocketbooks of Michigan’s families got healthier, the state budget would get healthier.

That’s exactly what we’re seeing now.”

Yet a bitter taste lingers in advocates’ mouths.

Mark Burnham, MSU’s vice president for governmental affairs, said the increase “is important, but it isn’t a big amount of money.”

He said it’s impossible to know

CRIME

search for the remaining suspects, and the case currently still is under investigation.

The robberies took place just after midnight on Wednesday in an alleyway located just north of the East Lansing Marriott at University Place, according to police.

One victim’s purse was ripped from her shoulder, and another victim had her iPhone snatched from her hands. The suspects then fled to a nearby vehicle driven by Allen.

Police believe Allen and his co-conspirators might also be connected to an armed robbery that took place June 10 on the 100 block of Orchard Street in East Lansing, wherein two suspects approached and robbed an MSU student before fleeing to a nearby vehicle.

All three victims were MSU students, according to police.

The department is asking anyone with information to contact Officer Dan Brown at 517-319-6811 or Officer Chris Shadduck at 517-319-6842.

ROBBERY SUSPECT ARRAIGNED FRIDAY A suspect implicated in a string of unarmed robberies, which took place June 12 in downtown East Lansing, was arraigned in district court June 14, as the East Lansing Police Allen Department continues the search for additional suspects.

Charles Marice Allen, 19, of Lansing, was arrested after leading police on a chase into the capital, which ended when Allen and three additional suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot. Allen is facing six separate charges including two counts of unarmed robbery and one count of fleeing and eluding the police.

Police are continuing their

See BUDGET on page 2 X

Perry, Mich., resident Mike Rains helps his son Mikey, 2, across the monkey bars on Sunday at Patriarche Park, 1100 Alton St. Celebrating Father’s Day at the park where he used to play as a kid, Mike Rains Sr. said he was glad be able to bring his son there.

DANYELLE MORROW | THE STATE NEWS

RJ WOLCOTT

BMX racers qualify for state championship Ada, Mich., resident Raven Kincaid, 8, pets a dog during the Capitol Area BMX races on Saturday at Gier Park in Lansing. Kincaid said she likes “to get on the track and ride and have fun.”

–Julia Nagy, SN See BMX on page 3

FITNESS

Bikram Yoga studio opens on Grand River Avenue

By Anya Rath

arath@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS ■■

Get ready to stretch and sweat. East Lansing’s fi rst Bikram Yoga studio officially opened its doors on Sunday in Brookfield Plaza.

Bikram Yoga Capital Area, 1355 E. Grand River Ave., is Michigan’s seventh Bikram Yoga studio, and follows the teachings of Bikram Choudhury, a yoga guru who developed the sequence known as Bikram Yoga and has published several books about the benefits of yoga.

Ann Chrapkiewicz, direcSee YOGA on page 2 X

Benefits of Bikram Yoga It helps improve the functioning of the respiratory system, nervous system, circulatory system, skeletal system and muscular system.

The sweat resulting from doing the postures combined with the intense heat detoxifies the body.

The heat coupled with an increased heart rate allows more oxygen to travel throughout the body.

It strengthens bones and muscles while increasing the flexibility of muscles.

SOURCE: WWW.BIKRAMYOGABENEFITS.NET

2 | TH E STAT E N E WS | M ONDAY, JUNE 1 7, 201 3 | STATEN E WS.COM

Police brief Runaways discovered in Delhi Township Delhi Township deputies of the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Windmill Mobile Home Park last week after receiving reports of a 15-year-old female runaway being harbored by a 26-year-old man from Delhi Township.

At approximately 9 a.m., contact was made with a 23-year-old male and 23-year-old female resident of the house who both denied the girl’s presence. Consent to search the residence was denied at the time of contact.

Throughout the day, the house was watched while the investigation continued. At about 2 p.m. a search warrant was obtained and entry into the residence was made.

The 15-year-old girl was located in addition to a juvenile runaway from Jackson County.

The 26-year-old suspect and the 23-year-old male and female were arrested and are now residing at the Ingham County Jail for harboring runaways. The two female juveniles were taken back to their families in Jackson County.

HOLLY BARANOWSKI

statenews.com E N T E R TA I N M E N T B L O G

E3 2013 EXCITES WITH NEW CONSOLES

Nerds, geeks and gamers all gathered at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, also known as E3, in Los Angeles to drool over the most anticipated games and consoles slated to hit the shelves in the coming years.

In contrast to the 2012 expo, which left many video game enthusiasts disappointed, this years showing had something for everyone, from advanced technology, to anticipated sequels, to dazzling new intellectual properties.

The show’s biggest news came from Microsoft and Sony, who rolled out the red carpet for their next generation consoles, the Xbox One and the PS4.

While both were loaded with blazing-fast processors and hyper-advanced graphics cards, the two managed to be quite different in terms of appeal. While Sony stuck to gamers, emphasizing the traditional console experience, Microsoft instead displayed their new voice recognition technology and movement controls. The cost of these advances was reflected in the Xbox One’s price, $499 dollars, $100 dollars more than the PS4. However, the Xbox One will come with Microsoft’s motion detecting Kinect, while the PS4’s price doesn’t include any additional peripherals.

Aside from new consoles, the gaming industry’s most massive publishers and developers enthusiastically pitched their new AAA titles. Standouts included Ubisoft’s newest Tom Clancy shooter, “The Division,� a multiplayer openword strategic shooter that stood out as one of the show’s most promising and visceral titles on display.

RJ WOLCOTT

Continued BUDGET

Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget for next year features increase in higher education funding FROM PAGE ONE

how much it will affect tuition until MSU’s Board of Trustees meets this Friday, where it determines the price every year.

Growing debt Raul Orduna is a social work senior who’s troubled by what he calls “backward� priorities.

Orduna managed to make it to his senior year with only about $12,000 in debt, keeping afloat with scholarships and his 25-hour-a-week, $11-anhour job at Brody Square.

He said he’s not too worried about his modest debt right now. “It’s manageable,� Orduna said. “My real concern is grad school.�

Orduna said he wants to get his master’s degree in social work, but still hasn’t worked out how to get the money to do so. “Probably just loans,� he said.

And many people have done the same. The average student debt is about $26,000 a year, according to a report from the Institute for College Access and Success. Some rack up an even bigger tab. “It’s absurd,� Orduna said. “The one bud-

dy I worked with at the cafeteria said he owed $56,000.�

Total national student debt has risen to roughly $1 trillion, higher than auto, credit and home equity loans.

It’s all politics Michigan saw one of the biggest funding drops for colleges and universities in the nation, according to a recent 2013 report from the State Higher Education Executive Officers, a nonprofit organization that researches higher education policy.

This year’s modest increase doesn’t begin to make up for deep funding gouges since Snyder took over, critics say — a 15 percent reduction during his administration alone, continuing a long downward slope of state aid, passed from one governor to the next like some debt-inducing Olympic torch relay.

In the same years as above, the state appropriated $1.8 billion in 200102 for higher education — then $1.7 billion in 200203, and $1.6 the next year.

Skip ahead to 2012-13 and it’s down to $1.1 billion.

Advocates such as Burnham say it would take an increase of $100 million every year for 10 years before state funding was brought back to pre-10year-slash levels. “It’s not economics, it’s a political reality,� said economics professor Paul Menchik. “Look around

YOGA

Michigan’s seventh Bikram Yoga studio opens in East Lansing

Tuition rates per credit at MSU, 2002-2012 Rates apply to fall semester tuition

$420.75/ credit hour

500

400

$179.75/ credit hour

300

200

2002

2004

2006

2008

Monday T-storms High: 81° Low: 56°

Tuesday Sunny High: 73° Low: 47°

Wednesday Partly cloudy High: 74° Low: 53°

VOL. 104 | NO. 085

Index Campus+city Opinion Sports+Features ClassiďŹ ed Crossword

3+5 4 6 5 3

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(517) 432-3070 EDITOR IN CHIEF Dillon Davis MANAGING EDITOR Stephen Brooks DESIGN EDITOR Drew Dzwonkowski PHOTO EDITOR Julia Nagy OPINION EDITOR Michael Koury CAMPUS+CITY EDITOR Robert Bondy

tor and an instructor of Bikram Yoga Capital Area, or BYCA, has been instructing Bikram Yoga since 2004. Bikram Yoga studios can only be owned by instructors who have been trained by Choudhury.

Chrapkiewicz, an MSU alumna, began the planning for BYCA last August. She said the studio only offers a beginners’ level class, but added she still finds the class challenging despite the fact she has been practicing Bikram Yoga for about 10 years.

The Bikram Yoga sequence consists of 26 postures and two breathing exercises, Chrapkiewicz said. The yoga is always done in 90-minute sessions in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit with 40 percent humidity. The first 45 minutes are standing warm-ups and the remainder of the class is dedicated to the postures. “The postures are done in a very particular order and the order, for safety reasons, isn’t ever changed,� Chrapkiewicz said. “Each posture prepares you for the next (one).�

Chrapkiewicz said Bikram Yoga tends to defy what students would expect from a yoga class. She added the room is very well-lit, quiet and there is much instructor-to-student interaction.

Bikram Yoga is about constant correction by the instruc-

2012

State general fund for higher education, 2002-2012 Rates apply to fiscal years $2 billion

$1.63 billion

$1.55 billion

$1.49 billion

$1.5 billion

$1.1 billion

$1.36 billion 2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

INFOGRAPHIC BY DREW DZWONKOWSKI | SN SOURCES: MSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SENATE FISCAL AGENCY

the country ‌ it’s a widespread trend, and it’s more political power than a cost benefit analysis of what’s in the interest of the state.�

Menchik said research shows economic growth correlates with generous higher education funding.

So why is funding so low? One reasons is insufficient state revenue, Menchik said, which would be much high-

er with a graduated income tax, he continued. So why is Michigan one of the few states with a flat-rate income tax? “Look at how we fund elections with campaign donations,� he said. “Not everybody speaks with the same voice in terms of the, oh, political effects.

The $200,000 guy has more influence than the $20,000 guy.�

“It’s like they’re getting strength training, flexibility training, chiropractic, massage (and) sauna, all in one 90-minute situation.�

Ann Chrapkiewicz, instructor at Bikram Yoga Capital Area

FROM PAGE ONE

Three-day forecast

2010

tor so that students are in the right posture and are safe at all times. “People perceive it as being very intense,� Chrapkiewicz said. “But it’s truly designed for all levels and if people just come do what they can and try it the right way, they’ll get all the benefits they can.�

Chrapkiewicz said Bikram Yoga is a great cardiovascular workout with numerous health benefits. “It’s like they’re getting strength training, flexibility training, chiropractic, massage (and) sauna, all in one 90-minute situation,� Chrapkiewicz said.

Kelsey Tamayo, a doctoral student, found yoga through sessions offered at music festivals and camps. Tamayo was advised by friends to try out Bikram Yoga to improve her strength and general health.

Sunday was her first time trying Bikram Yoga. “I’ve had a shoulder injury,�

Tamayo said. “It’s kind of the reason why I wanted to find something relaxing but not strenuous.�

Jonathan Staub, a graduate student, began practicing Bikram Yoga a couple years ago in Massachusetts after reading Choudhury’s books. His ability to practice came to a halt after coming to MSU. He has attended sessions at East Lansing Hot

Yoga, 924 Trowbridge Road, but does not think it compares. “Other hot yoga, it is hot, but it’s not the same,� Staub said. “They incorporate other

poses, they do other things that may not be necessarily yoga.�

Chrapkiewicz said she has heard from many potential students that they have been waiting for years for an official Bikram Yoga studio to open in the area. “When people start doing Bikram (Yoga), they usually can’t fi nd something else that feels as good,� Chrapkiewicz said.

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SOLUTION THURSDAY’S PUZZLE TO

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06/17/13

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 + $ ! %#($ &'% (' * % (" %) & % '& % & %)

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R E C R E AT I O N

MSU researchers study mystery behind famous Armstrong quote

By Katie Abdilla

kabdilla@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS ■■

Two MSU researchers have made history — or, rather, they’re re-interpreting it.

In hopes of taking giant leaps of t heir ow n, MSU speech professors Laura Dilley and Melissa Baese-Berk used Neil Armstrong’s famous “one small step for man” statement as they attempt to learn something new about speech recognition.

After landing on the moon in 1969, many Americans remember Armstrong’s fi rst phrase starting with “one small step for man.” But he reportedly insisted until his death that he said “one small step for a man.”

Both Dilley and Baese-Berk, as well as two student assistants, took the issue as an opportunity to further research speech patterns.

“This historical event has captured so many people’s imaginations, and the quote has tremendous signifi cance for how we remember this very momentous occasion,” Dilley said. “The fact that Neil Arm-

strong claimed until his death that he spoke the phrase another way than recorded was significant to us.”

The research became part of a larger project Dilley had been working on since 2007, which insisted that most English speakers blend words together in casual speech, making it more difficult to decipher individual words.

“One of the challenges is people talk really sloppily,” she said. “People routinely slur their words together; yet, a high proportion of the time, listeners can understand what is being said, and we’re trying to fi gure out why people are so successful at understanding speech.”

Using 40 speech examples from the Buckeye Corpus of conversational speech at Ohio State University, the four found that depending on how fast a person is speaking, it is possible for two or more words to be blended together and go undetected by the listener.

More online…

To read more on this story, visit statenews.com

PHOTOS BY JULIA NAGY/THE STATE NEW

Battle Creek, Mich., resident Dan Evans trails behind Ada, Mich., resident Brett Kincaid during a BMX race on Saturday at Gier Park in Lansing. “It’s a blast,” Evans said.

Local BMX event raises awareness of sport

By Soundarya Lakshmi slakshmi@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS ■■

N AT U R E

MSU STAFF IDENTIFIES HARMFUL PLANT INGESTED BY MICH. MAN

By Tyler Beck

tbeck@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS ■■

Be careful when going through your yard if you are looking for something to eat, or you might end up in the hospital.

A Michigan man was hospitalized last week after ingesting the roots of a pokeweed plant.

After the plant was identified by MSU’s Peter Carrington, the man was treated and now is expected to make a full recovery.

“The man misidentified the plant and thought it was a dandelion,” said Carrington, assistant instructor of plant biology and assistant curator of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden. “Fortunately, we were able to identify the plant.”

Following a call from the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Regional Poison Control Center in Detroit, MSU’s Frank Telewski asked Carrington to help him identify the plant.

“The man’s wife apparently had the presence of mind to take a few photos of the plant,” Carrington said. “From that, I was able to identify the plant as pokeweed.”

Car ring ton pointed out the man consumed the roots, described as a “white carrot.”

The roots also happen to be the most toxic part of the plant.

Dandelions are very common plants and are known to be edible; however, pokeweed is not confused often with dandelions, said Carrington.

MSU’s plant toxicology expertise is known to the Poison Control Center because MSU facilitates a toxicology workshop for medical residents twice a year,

Characteristics of pokeweed ■ Pinkish color ■ Opposite leaves ■ White, “carrotlike” root structure

■ Also known as poke salad SOURCE: PETER CARRINGTON, ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR OF PL ANT BIOLOGY AND W. J. BEAL BOTANICAL GARDEN ASSISTANT CUR ATOR

going over the types of poisonous plants people might eat as well as the medicinal properties of other plants.

“We have an excellent collection of poison plants here,” Carrington said. “Our seven categories of poison plants serve as a great teaching tool.”

The Poison Control Center in Detroit serves nearly 8 million people across the state and fields about 85,000 calls per year. However, plants only cracked the top 20 for calls to poison control centers across the country in 2011, said the medical director of Children’s Hospital of Michigan Regional Poison Control Center, Dr. Cynthia Aaron.

“We receive a few pokeweed calls,” Aaron said. “Mostly, they are because of kids who get into plants around the house.”

Melissa Chamberlain, an elementary education junior, indicated that she feels more comfortable knowing the faculty at her university can identify poisonous plants.

“I wouldn’t eat anything unless someone I trusted told me it was safe,” Chamberlain said. “But I feel honored to go to a college where the professors clearly make a difference in the world.”

The Capitol Area BMX Track at Gier Park reverberated with the exuberant cheer of kids and adults in their biking gear on the occasion of the State Qualifier Weekend.

The starting gate slammed down as onlookers watched and several riders began racing down the BMX track.

Capitol Area BMX President Nicole Bennett said they have been focusing on spreading awareness about the sport.

“We are out to promote this sport because a lot of people don’t even know that we are here. You tell people BMX, and they are like, ‘Where are you at?’ We really want to bring more awareness to the sport,” Bennett said.

The state qualifier held on Sunday was expected to bring about 150 riders to the track.

“You have to race at least six of those (state qualifiers) in your state to qualify for the state championship. There are nine tracks in Michigan,” Bennett said.

Dawn Bartlett, the treasurer of Capitol Area BMX, said the rider count has increased from the past year.

A local talent has found her calling on the BMX track.

Lansing resident Elida Beeman, 15, has been selected to the 2013 junior development camp at the U.S. Olym-

“

pic Training Center in California.

A high school sophomore, Beeman said she enjoys riding at the Capitol Area BMX track.

“I started biking in 2005. Everybody is really kind here; they are fast and give me competition. I just like riding,” Beeman said. “(The junior development camp) is in California, and they are going to help me with every kind of skill that you need to be in the OlymNicole pics. They are going to help me with nutrition, Bennett, Capitol weights, gym all that.

Area BMX “I want to go to the President Olympics, and if I can’t do that, I want to be a nurse,” she said.

“We are out to promote this sport because a lot of people don’t even know we are here.”

More online…

To see a video of the BMX event, visit statenews.com/multimedia.

DeWitt, Mich., resident Travis Shinabery looks at the BMX racing track on Saturday at Gier Park in Lansing.

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ACROSS 1 Pound of poetry 5 Hourglass trickler 9 Salami and turkey jerky, e.g.

14 Steak and hamburger, e.g.

15 Je ne sais __ 16 “That’s plenty for me” 17 Chicago footballer 18 Sputnik launcher 19 Girl who says “Uncle” 20 Add a little gin to a party drink, say 23 KGB counterpart 24 Like puppies and kittens 25 Game requiring full 25-square coverage to win 31 Lao Tzu’s “__ Te Ching” 32 “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” composer Jerome 33 Item in a squirrel’s stash 35 Sandwich rolled in a tortilla 37 Fix, as worn brakes 40 Europe’s highest active volcano 41 Leading the league 43 Prefix with -syncrasy 45 Cut the grass 46 Efficient, wordwise 50 Minnesota’s “crazy” state bird 51 Bubble wrap filler

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3 Bring in from the field 4 Chad’s continent 5 Tight game 6 Vienna’s country: Abbr.

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21 Punt, say 22 Brit’s watering hole 25 Some owls’ homes 26 Averse

27 Precious metal source 28 Let down, as one’s hair 29 “I haven’t a clue” 30 “... but then, I could be wrong” 31 Bill featuring Jefferson 34 “Don’t reckon so” 36 Where to see sharks with cues 38 Sum up 39 Denies knowledge of 42 Divide according to ownership 44 Baby’s boo-boo 47 Baby’s “piggy” 48 Rankles 49 Author Hemingway 52 Formally turn over 53 Military group 54 Ellington/Strayhorn’s “Take __ Train” 55 Grandson of Eve 56 City fooled by a horse 57 Ailing 58 Hodges of the Dodgers 61 Squeeze (out), as a living

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Opinion

Featured blog Hometown adventures “This past weekend, I took a road trip to adventure in my own hometown.

Growing up in Metro Detroit, I’ve always found the nature of the different neighborhoods both interesting and simultaneously calming.”

OU R VOICE | E DITORIAL

TECHNOLOGY HINDERS BASIC WORKING SKILLS EDITORIAL BOARD Dillon Davis EDITOR IN CHIEF Michael Koury OPINION EDITOR Michael Kransz STAFF REPRESENTATIVE Ariel Ellis MINORITY REPRESENTATIVE

I

n multiple surveys released recently, college graduates reported feeling unprepared as they enter the workforce. And likewise, a small majority of employers plan to hire graduates after they leave school.

In a survey released by Millennial Branding and Internships.com, 25 percent of graduates said they feel unprepared entering the workforce, with the main reason cited as lack of internships.

This is nothing new as internships are the best

way for college students to get the realworld experience so they can succeed when they enter it.

Students only can learn so much in the classroom. They easily can read about how to build a car but it’s not going to matter until they go to a body shop to see how it’s really done.

But in a separate survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 53 percent of employers said they will hire graduates out of college. One of the reasons cited was a lack of basic skills in certain areas with the majority saying most graduates lack professionalism and work ethic. Others said the decision was tied to writing ability, relationshipbuilding skills, initiative, critical-thinking ability and basic math skills.

Although some of these skills can be attained through practice and internships, the lack of skills can be attributed to pure laziness. And that might be because all of these graduates lacking skills can in some way be linked to the rise of

“ But the lack of skills in professionalism, work ethic and initiative are really disconcerting.”

Read the rest online at statenews.com/blog. technology.

This is the first generation of graduates who grew up in the computer era.

Because of the rise of the computer and digital age, each crop of graduates don’t have as much experience with people-to-people interaction because concerting. These are real-life skills that can’t they spent so much time on their com- be covered in the classroom or internships. It’s puters, phones or playing video games, the simple drive people need to push themselves all of which hindered relationship-build- and to make an impression.

Technology might be a part of the reason this ing skills.

Nobody can get that kind of experi- is true, because as the world became more digience when the majority of the time they tized, people grew comfortable with doing less talk to people, it’s texting or through since technology made their life easier.

That’s why these skills are so important.

Facebook or Twitter. The reason employers think graduates have a lack of criti- Nobody’s going to make a connection on Facecal-thinking skills is because they think book as well as they would if they met the perin 140 characters or less, which also attri- son on the street or at an internship. If a graduate has the drive as well as the real-world expeributes to the lack of writing ability.

But skills such as professionalism, ence, then there shouldn’t be any reason employwork ethic and initiative are really dis- ers will not hire them out of college.

OPINION COLUMN

EDITORIAL CARTOONIST

China major player in Korea situation

I

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Comments from readers ■■

“ASMSU needs to swallow its pride” Over simplified or not, ASMSU has always been an obscure, inconsistent group to the general student population. Some of this is due to ASMSU turnover as students come and go from campus, like everyone else. (comment continued at statenews.com) Sparty x2, June 12

How involved and interested are you in government? ASMSU is busy doing its job and would prefer not to spend egregious amounts of money on getting the word out to people who care less about the organization and more about the services. (comment continued at statenews.com) Philosophical Reasoning, June 12

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— Katie Abdilla, State News reporter

f you paid attention to interna- constituent in the history of both Koretional affairs this past spring, as and also will be the catalyst for its unification. Quite frankly, China is the tension on the Korean Peninsula cornerstone of the DPRK’s existence as was an unavoidable matter. Once well as the key to its future.

To my delight, relations between the again, the Kim regime unleashed its two neighbors have begun to deteriobellicose rhetoric, threatening peace rate in the past few years. China has in the Far East while also intimidat- shown a lack of trust in Kim Jonging the United States. To top it all un’s young leadership as well as disoff, the Democratic People’s Repub- content for its nuclear ambitions. The Bank of China’s closure of its Pyonglic of Korea sentenced U.S. citizen yang account is further support of the Kenneth Bae to a 15-year prison sen- country’s dissatisfaction. It is time for China to re-evaluate its relatence for unspecified “hostionship with its temperaEAST LANSING tile acts” against the reclumental neighbor.

REPORTER sive Stalinist state.

China’s original ties to North Korea were based on A few months later, provsuppressing western influocations have died down. ence in the Far East. Now, as These days, you hear more Chinese-U.S. relations have “Gangnam Style” referencsubstantially improved and es than Kim Jong-un jokes continue to develop, and (although the two often the Asian superpower of seem to go together.) This frivolous pattern of DPRK 1.3 billion people begins to DEREK KIM threats and nuclear tests is dkim@statenews.com embrace capitalism, DPRKnothing new for the native China relations have become Korean. My family seemed long outdated. Like an exto view the situation as humorous rath- girlfriend who continues to call, Kim er than perilous. However, a country Jong-un’s regime is a stumbling block with the largest military in the world to China’s future. should never be taken lightly. I worry Recently inaugurated Chinese Presabout my family in the South, knowing ident Xi Jinping has shown a stronthat one missile is more than enough ger response to its Stalinist neighbor to lead to an all-out war.

— unlike ever before seen in histoThe recent events caused me — as ry. However, other Chinese officials well as other native Koreans — to once seem hesitant to cut ties because of again ponder if there is hope for peace how North Korea acts as a buffer to in the future. Some Koreans hope for U.S. influence in South Korea. unification while others believe the But with a more open approach to country is better off divided. I agree governance in China, and capricious with the former. leadership next door, the severance The 38th parallel north haphaz- of this historical alliance is viable. Xi ardly split the Koreas into two states. met with President Barack Obama Two countries that share the same lan- last week in another significant step guage, natural resources and people to improving U.S.-Chinese relations. are at a military standstill against one If the Obama administration continanother. It does not make geopolit- ues to negotiate with China, and Kim ical sense. The original plan by the Jong-un persists in deteriorating relaUnited States and the Soviet Union to tions in its belligerent behavior, a hissplit the country has become obsolete. torical reunification of the Koreas may South Korea has risen from the ash- be lingering on the horizon. es of war while U.S relations with the But why wait, Mr. Xi? China is Far East are stronger than ever before. more than capable of sustaining itself, The time has come for Korean unifi- not to mention the support it would cation to become more of a forefront receive from the global community. issue in East Asian politics.

Your nation’s goals are peace, denuBut is there any real hope? Could clearization and nonproliferation. two countries that have seen much Kim Jong-un’s recent provocations political unrest finally see eye to eye? indicate that he is not as interested I believe it can happen in my life- in building relations as his predecestime. However, the catalyst will not sors were. Every time the DPRK exhibbe domestic affairs but Korea’s far larg- its its unruly behavior, the reputation er neighbor to the northwest. of your leadership takes a hit. The oneThe People’s Republic of China is one time ally is quickly becoming China’s of the only countries to have shared great antagonist. relations with North Korea. The KoreThe global benefits of Korean unian War would have likely had a more fication should not be underestimatpeaceful outcome if Mao Zedong did ed. Decreased military spending for not respond to Kim Il-sung’s plea. In the United States, a stronger Chinese the 1990s, China was the main distrib- economy and the dissolution of one of utor of foreign aid that kept the Kim the world’s most oppressive commuJong-il regime running through a dev- nist regime would result in a steadier, astating famine that killed a quarter of more competitive global community. the country’s population. Today, they But in order for this to happen, Chiremain the DPRK’s sole ally, sending na must take a more direct approach. masses of humanitarian aid that unfor- Then, maybe one day, I will return tunately ends up feeding its govern- to my home country to walk on the ment while the majority of the country soil of a unified, peaceful Korean starves to death. China has been a key peninsula.

Campus+city T R A N S P O R TAT I O N

GRAND RIVER CONSTRUCTION FINISHED EARLY Every lane of Grand River Avenue between Michigan Avenue and Bogue Street opened Saturday, almost two months ahead of schedule, Michigan Department of Transportation, or MDOT, Project Engineer Greg Losch said.

Though open, minor work still is needed on curb ramps and traffic signals, Losch added.

Crews should complete all minor work by this week, or the end of June at the latest. “There may be intermittent lane closures, but the work won’t take

STAT E NE WS.CO M | T HE STAT E N EWS | MON DAY, J U N E 17, 2013 |

long,� Losch said.

This leg of the campuswide construction originally was scheduled for completion by Aug. 9, but Losch said they incentivized this portion of the construction because it cut off access to a large portion of East Lansing. “We try to impact people in the (smallest) way possible, and this got us out of there faster,�

Losch said.

Losch added that when MDOT planned a crew or two for a portion of the project, the contractor supplied three or four, which doubled the construction process.

He said the contractor’s incentive is an additional payment if the project is completed on or before the targeted date, which helps crews to “get in, get

5

Every lane on Grand River Avenue between Michigan Avenue and Bogue Street opened Saturday, almost two months ahead of schedule, according to MDOT officials out and get it done.�

With the Grand River Avenue project complete, crews will close northbound Beal Street on Monday, starting at West Circle Drive and extending to the Michigan Avenue exit, according to an MDOT press release.

The closure will last seven days, while access to southbound Beal Street from Michigan Avenue will be maintained up to West Circle Drive.

MICHAEL KRANSZ

E D U C AT I O N

JULIA NAGY/THE STATE NEWS

Roller operator Ricardo Castellon smoothes out asphalt on the repaved Grand River Avenue on Friday.

POLITICS

Senate bill might change DNA sample rules MSU student secures finalist “This will help to solve many of position in top TA competition

By Holly Baranowski

hbaranowski@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS

By Omar Thabet

othabet@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS â– â–

MSU computer science teaching assistant, or TA, Cameron Keif was voted as one of the top three TAs in America by CengageBrain.

CengageBrain’s Top TA competition allowed college students to recognize the TAs who have made the greatest impact on their education as well as their classmates.

William Punch, professor of computer science and engineering, was one of Keif’s instructors during his TA experience at MSU. Punch said one of the things that makes Cameron such a good TA is his positive attitude. “He is always ‘up,’ always positive and always smiling,� Punch said. “He is just a genuinely nice guy.�

In addition, Keif said each of the three of the fi nalists who won the contest will have a $2,500 dollar scholarship to be created in their name. “Over the next couple months we are going to be trying to figure out what each scholarship is going to be based on and what criteria do we use to decide who gets it,� Keif said. “It’s really great to be able to have some-

thing in my name that is probably going to make a big impact for somebody.�

Eric Torng, professor of computer science and engineering, said he didn’t get to work with Keif fi rsthand, but has heard great reviews of Keif’s experience as a TA. “One of the things my fellow colleagues said about Cameron was that he was very energetic, very personal and an outgoing type of person,� Torng said.

Keif, who is a computer science senior, said he tries not to take anything for granted when it comes to assisting his students. Keif said he genuinely cares about his students education and considers it one of the biggest things he offers as a TA. “Anybody can do an OK job, but I strive to do a great job,�

Keif said. “When I come to class I really try to make everyday into a good experience for myself and all the students as well.�

When you teach a class of 300 students, Punch said instructors count on a TA to be their individual helper who can work with the students on a personal basis. “Cameron is someone I can always count on to be there, to help the students and to get the job done,� Punch said.

â– â–

For individuals arrested on a felony offense, a recently introduced bill might change the rules when it comes to providing DNA samples. Michigan legislators are considering a Senate bill that would provide for an expansion of DNA samples to include those arrested for committing or attempting a felony offense, certain prisoners, convicted offenders and juvenile offenders. “Even if you are arrested for a misdemeanor traffi c violation, DNA can be taken just like fi ngerprints,� state Sen. Rick Jones said. “( W hat) our legislation seeks to do is to mandate that the Michigan police collect (DNA) for felonies, and if the person is not convicted, the evidence would be destroyed.�

The state of Michigan currently obtains DNA swabs

Anyone who refuses to provide DNA samples will be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment

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Rick Jones, Michigan state Sen.

Martines said she can’t see a reason to object to the bill. “I mean, if you have something to hide, you’re obviously going to say you don’t want to have (DNA) taken,� Martines said. “I’ve never done anything wrong, and if I was arrested for a felony, I would have no problem giving it to them.�

Jones said Gov. Rick Snyder hopes to have the bill imple-

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these cold cases and get those monsters off the street.�

Horoscope By Linda C. Black

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from people arrested on suspicion of murder, rape and similar violent crimes. This bill would require DNA samples from those convicted of lesser felonies as well. If someone is found innocent, the DNA will then be erased from the database. Anyone who refuses to provide these samples would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than a year and not more than $1,000, or both. “Right now in Michigan, monsters are walking around the street — monsters who have committed rape, murder and child molestation — and they have not been caught.�

Jones said. “This will help to solve many of these cold cases and get those monsters off the street.�

East Lansing Police Department, or ELPD, Chief of Police Juli Liebler, said she was in favor of these changes, as they have solved some cases using DNA matches. She said for any serious crime, they try to collect as much DNA as possible. “(T his) would help law enforcement in general because it provides a larger database,�

Liebler said. “Sometimes we run into a problem (where) we have a DNA sample from a suspect, but since they aren’t registered, we sometimes aren’t able to solve very serious crimes.�

Human biology junior Ellie

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7 — The more you love, the more you feel loved. Minimize travel, and don’t send your package yet. Shop carefully. Friends inspire you. Write down the possibilities.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 9 — Review all options. Listen to what others want, and check the facts you’ve been presented.

Your investigation leads to a treasure. Celebrate your discovery with your team.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 9 — ConďŹ rm facts before jumping to conclusions. Keep doing the stu that works. Don’t move furniture to avoid getting the work done, though.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 9 — While you can aord an excellent communication system, don’t get more than necessary.

There are hidden factors, and it may not be the best use of funds. You can solve the puzzle.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is an 8 — Don’t make wild promises you can’t keep. You’re likely to change your mind later. Call for reinforcements, or consider a new partnership that brings a new perspective.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 7 — New information illuminates. Watch out for hidden agendas. You have what others want. Discover another source of revenue; it may require juggling.

Improve your eectiveness.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is an 8 — Your mind is moving faster than usual. Take advantage of an extra dose of imagination to increase your earthly comfort. Prepare for a bumpy road, as well. Postpone travel. If you can’t, add cushions.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8 — You’re good at generating money now. It pays to recycle, so reduce unused stu. An auction may bring the best price.

You win free space and even cash. Take time for luxuriating and mindless wandering.

mented sometime this fall.

There was no opposition for the bill, and it passed unanimously and now has to pass through the entire house, Jones said. “DNA is the modern fi ngerprint,� Jones said. “Residents of Michigan hopefully will have a safer Michigan in the future with less dangerous people walking the streets.�

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7 — Go carefully. You may want to shout at people. If so, take ďŹ ve. Call in a favor. Delay a meeting to spend more time with family. Include visiting a beloved locale. Share your dreams.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 9 — Conversations provide insight. Inuential people are watching. The action is behind the scenes. There’s a promise of riches. Being well organized is crucial; odds are good you’ll forget something.

Share your joy.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is an 8 — Shop carefully, and discover a treasure. You can’t be two places at the same time; prioritize meetings. Friends provide support. You’re gaining respect, but don’t get cocky. Go farther than ever before.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 9 — Intuition gets you through a sticky spot. Call the moment you see that you’ll be late. Financial success snowballs.

Ask for more and get it. Pay back a debt. Don’t push yourself so hard!

Employment

Employment

Employment

Apts. For Rent

Apts. For Rent

Apts. For Rent

Houses/Rent

Wanted

Wanted

CLARA’S RESTAURANT is now hiring. Apply in person M-Th btwn 2-4. 637 E. Michigan Avenue.

P/T CASHIER position.

Individuals that live in the E.L. area will be considered. Great student job. Flex hrs + good pay to the right candidate.

Includes weekends.

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SUMMER WORK $14.50 base-appt. Customer sales & service. No experience necessary, we train. Apply now. Call 517-333-1700 or apply at www.summerbreakwork.com

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SUMMER MOVE ins still available. 2 and 3 bedroom apt homes.

Spacious floor plans, garages, carports, washer and dryer in apartment, private entrances, cat and small dog friendly. Community includes 24 hour fitness center, tanning, pool, hottub and more. Some styles are sold out! Close to everything‌far from ordinary.

Call today 888-653-5449

STILL LOOKING for 2013-2014 housing?

CRMC has you covered.

Contact us at 517-3377577. www.crmc1.com

DEPENDABLE PERSON for dog walks, light chores. 8hr/wk. Exp with dogs a must. Reference.

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LOCAL FAM w/ multiple pets. Seeking responsible live in house sitter for vacation time. Exp w/ animals a must. References.

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MAINTENANCE TECH needed at East Lansing Apartment Community.

Part to Full Time hours available.

Ideal candidate will have experience with grounds, landscaping, pool and light maintenance/painting and/or basic home repair. Send availability and resume to 517-3519402 or jbenson@atlantisam.com.

NOW HIRING at Collegeville Textbook Company. Stop by 321 E Grand River to apply.

STUDENT WANTED for Secretarial/Accounting/ Cleaning duties. Needed in our Machine Shop on MSU campus. MS Office product knowledge needed. Ability to communicate w/ diverse group of people on a daily basis. Willingness to get dirty while cleaning metal working equipment. Open only to hard working, dependable MSU students. Flex schedule, good pay & pie every Thurs. Email resume to palazzolo@ pa.msu.edu.

TOW TRUCK driver/ service station attendant. No exp. needed, will train. Must be local.

Good driving record req.

Must apply in person to H and H Mobil. At the corner of Hagadorn and Haslett.

VALUE WORLD East Lansing.

Immediate openings. All Positions for retail dept store. f/t and p/t, day and evening shifts avail. Apply in person. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

4790 South Hagadorn Rd. EL

Apts. For Rent 4 BEDROOM for Fall!

Starting at $325 per person. 517-507-0127.

+3

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Free Tanning, seasonal pool, spa, grilling areas, 24 hour fitness, tanning and more. Only 1 available this summer! Call today 888-653-5449.

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Houses/Rent 8 PERSON 7 bdrms, Fall 2013. 334 Evergreen Ave. $440+util. No pets mrcwlm@gmail.com or 517-351-6369 ABOVE AVERAGE 613 Lexington Lic. 4, Eamon Kelly 714.654.2701 or enkellyjr@gmail.com REDUCED PRICE $440 each. 1230 Lilac. Lic 5 Lg rms. Aug ‘13. Near Breslin, w/d. 927-1338

Personal LOOKING FOR companionship. Call Barry at 517.256.9381.

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Sports+features

FOOTBALL

SPORTS+FEATURES EDITOR Omari Sankofa II, features@statenews.com PHONE (517) 432-3070 FAX (517) 432-3075

C E L E B R AT I O N

Lansing hosts 20th annual Juneteenth Festival LB Chris Norman pursues seminary over chance at NFL

By Ariel Ellis

Lansing residents Tracy Buycks, left, and Rootsmon Bird share a laugh on Saturday at St. Joseph Park in Lansing. This year was the 20th anniversary for Lansing’s Juneteenth Freedom Festival.

aellis@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS

Matthew Pizzo

mpizzo@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS â– â–

After they leave college, many former standout football players pursue a life of money, fame and accolades.

Former MSU linebacker Chris Norman has decided to pursue a life dedicated to God. From Detroit, Norman was born and raised in a church environment. However, until his sophomore season of college, Norman said he rejected the Lord and believed there was no life beyond the church or the gospel. “I intentionally lived my own life,� Norman said. “(A) life that was marred by sin and blasphemy, I didn’t treat God as if he were God — I was really just worshipping myself.�

After suffering a severe injury against Alabama in the 2011 Capital One Bowl, Norman’s entire life at the time was taken away from him in the blink of an eye.

Following his injury, Norman was searching for the Lord and a friend told him about a Passion Conference in Colorado.

He said at any other moment in his life he would not have listened to him. The conference was established in 1997 with the goal of spreading the Christian faith to college campuses around the world. “I saw people my age really enjoy serving Christ,� Norman said. “I was praying that the Lord would make some things a little more clear for me and he did that.�

After last season, Norman declined offers to participate in NFL training camps, including the Chicago Bears,

“I intentionally lived my own life. (A) life that was marred by sin and blasphemy, I didn’t treat God as if he were God — I was really just worshipping myself.�

Chris Norman, former linebacker

Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.

Norman instead w ill be attending the Moody Theological Seminary in Plymouth, Mich., to obtain his Master of Divinity in the fall.

Daryl Rice, MSU alumnus and executive pastor at Oak Pointe Church in Novi, where Norman was baptized and has delivered sermons, spoke of Norman committing his life to Lord and his decision to join the seminary. “The Lord needs athletes to be believers,� Rice said. “I am encouraged by his desire (to join the seminary) because he’s obviously being led by the Lord and the Lord will bless that when he commits his life to following Jesus.�

Norman said one of his longterm goals is to preach the truth in the city of Detroit. “I want to see the same thing happen to the people in the city of Detroit — because there’s so much need there,� Norman said. “Real change isn’t going to come unless the hearts change, (and) the only thing that can change a heart of a man is the Gospel of Christ and that’s what I want to introduce.�

â– â–

To celebrate 150 years of freedom, Lansing kicked off the 20th annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival in Lansing’s St. Joseph Park this past Friday and Saturday.

The history of Juneteenth dates back to when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863; however, it wasn’t until two years later on June 19 that the enslaved were freed in Texas. Juneteenth, June 19, is now the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.

After moving to Lansing from Texas, Gordon Haskins, member of Mask Memorial C.M.E. Church, had a vision.

When he realized that Juneteenth, such a largely celebrated holiday in Texas, was not celebrated in the state of Michigan, he knew something had to change. “He said his vision was for everyone in Lansing to get together, celebrate this holiday and learn the history of Juneteenth, so his vision became our mission,� said Deborah Plummer, who has been a member of the Lansing Juneteenth committee since its birth 20 years ago.

Haskins died just five years after the fi rst Juneteent h Celebration, but Plummer said his vision has continued to live on and grow. “After about the sixth year, there were so many vendors and people attending that it became too big to host at the church, so we moved it to the St. Joseph

PHOTOS BY WESTON BROOKS/ THE STATE NEWS

Saxophone player Mocha performs with Twyla Birdsong on Saturday at St. Joseph Park in Lansing. All the bands that played at the Juneteenth Freedom Festival were local to the area this year.

Park,� Plummer said. “The festival is still continuing to grow every year.�

The 20th annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival featured food, entertainment, hip-hop and jazz, and continues to grow Plummer said the committee wanted a wide variety of activities, but capitalized on things that would epitomize black culture. “This year, we had a ‌ tribute game, a hip-hop (performance) and several jazz artists,â€? Plummer said.

Chauncey Young, who served food at the festival for Marsha’s Chicken and Fish, said she has participated in the festival for 15 years and it’s always nice. “This year, there were more kid’s activities,� Young said. “There was a puppet show, face-painting and a petting zoo earlier that was nice.�

K at hy Brady, a Lansing resident, said this was not her

fi rst time attending the Juneteenth Festival. What the festival signifies keeps her coming back. “I love entertainment, and I especially love live music,

so that’s what brought me out today,� said Brady. “I keep coming back because of what this festival stands for. It’s a celebration, and it’s all for us — that’s important.�

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