Monday 7/29/13

Who’s starting?

Senior quarterback Andrew Maxwell.

Take a look at football’s fall depth chart

Senior right tackle Fou Fonoti. state News file photo

SPORTS+FEATURES, Page 6

state news file photo

statenews.com | 7/29/13 | @thesnews

Dining plan prices set to increase for 2013-14 academic year at MSU Campus+City, Page 3

Michigan State University’s independent voice

L e g i s l at u r e

Rep. Barnett proposes sales tax increase to ease tuition cost

By Michael Gerstein mgerstein@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Photos by Danyelle Morrow/The State News

Lansing resident and MSU alumnus Justin Love, left, watches as genomics and molecular genetics senior Zachary DeRade cooks July 17 in their home in Lansing. The two enjoy cooking vegetarian meals, though neither of them are vegetarian.

A fresh foundation

By Soundarya Lakshmi slakshmi@ statenews.com the state news nn

Lansing resident and MSU alumnus Justin Love, left, and genomics and molecular genetics senior Zachary DeRade, right, laugh while playing video games on Friday in their home in Lansing.

Lansing resident and MSU alumnus Justin Love, left, and genomics and molecular genetics senior Zachary DeRade, right, hold hands during a nature walk on July 26 at Fitzgerald Park, 133 Fitzgerald Park Drive, in Grand Ledge, Mich. The couple enjoys the nature trails of the park in addition to the disc golf course.

MSU students examine past, look ahead in fight for LBGT equality

For genomics and molecular genetics senior Zachary DeRade and his partner, MSU alumnus Justin Love, one of the major factors of coming to MSU was the chance to be a part of a larger, more diverse area accepting of their homosexuality — a chance to find a home.

“I feel very safe and secure at Michigan State University, and I also feel confident and safe to express pride in my identity,” DeRade said.

“Justin and I both came from a really small town where in the late '90s the community had chased a teacher from their town for being a gay man. I feel confident, safe and proud to be an openly identified gay man at Michigan State University.”

Since the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in June 2013, members of the LGBT community across the country rejoiced that the piece of legislation, which allowed states

to refuse same-sex couples the benefits of marriage, had been struck down. And although many college students are several years away from marriage, it's painting a picture of the progression of LBGT rights on campus in addition to building a hopeful avenue for MSU students to pursue their relationships in the immediate legal future.

A plethora of organizations that includes students, faculty and alumni caters to the needs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, or LGBT, community at MSU. Coming from a town of fewer than 4,000 residents in Byron Center, Mich., DeRade said he and Love expected MSU to be accommodative and understanding to their needs, and for the most part, they got just what they wished for.

"Sometimes, the best support you can show is not making a big deal about it and making it as ‘normal’ as everything else around you," DeRade said. "Also, I try to remind people that my experiences are my own, and what I say, how I act and how I feel are not representations

See FOUNDATION on page 2 u

What if Michigan covered the cost of college tuition for every high school graduate in the state?

Well that ’s exactly what Rep. Vicki Barnett, a Democrat from Farmington Hills, Mich., proposed in a joint resolution, which is among the things Michigan legislators can act upon when they return from summer break in August.

Barnett's proposal would raise the sales tax by 1 percent, which the Senate Fiscal Agency estimates would generate more than $1.3 billion every year, Michigan Information Research Service Inc. reports.

It could open the door for many low-income high school graduates who feel they have no way to pay for college, said Va l M e yers, associate director for t he MSU Office of Financial Aid. And it w ou l d l i f t some of the debt burden for the 24,155 students or their parents who borrowed money between 2012 and 2013 to cover the many costs of attending college.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Jimmy Johnson Jr., a psychology senior at MSU, working in the MSU Union.

Johnson said he's preparing to graduate in December and start paying back the $20,000 in student loans he owes — debt he wouldn’t have if the state covered tuition costs.

But Bernie Porn, president of the Lansing-based polling firm, EPIC-MRA, said he thinks it’s a proposal with a “slim to none” chance of passing because of Tea Party influence on the GOP. “Unless they are willing to look the other way or support such a notion, the odds are they would put tremendous pressure on Republican legislators not to support it," Porn said.

“I would be amazed if the

The proposal would raise the sales tax by 1 percent, generating more than $1.3 billion every year

See TUITION on page 2 u

Ec o n o m i c s

Automobiles

Dempsey: ‘It’s too early’ to understand effects of Detroit bankruptcy on E.L.

Classic cars on display in Lansing

By Derek Kim dkim@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Could the banks of the Red Cedar feel the ripple effects of Detroit’s bankruptcy filing? That exact issue is something many in the area still are determining.

On July 24, Judge Steven Rhodes of the United States Bankruptcy Court chose to freeze all litigation against the city. Potential pension cuts will be addressed in coming hearings. Communities around the state are keeping their eyes on the Motor City’s forthcom-

ing legal challenges — East Lansing is no exception.

“It’s way too early in the process to really understand what ramifications the city of Detroit will have,” East Lansing Planning Community Development Director Tim Dempsey said.

MSU economics professor Charles Ballard said depending on the next steps of the courts, municipalities across the state and country could experience a harder time borrowing money. In addition, many cities and states across the nation have unfunded pension and health care obli-

gations to their workers and retirees.

“If the bankruptcy results in a very large reduction in those obligations, it could set a precedent that would increase the risks for public employees across the country,” Ballard said.

In contrast, Ballard said a positive impact can come from bankruptcy. Michigan can’t achieve its full potential unless the state’s largest city recaptures some of the dynamism it See DETROIT on page 2 u

Justin Wan/ The State News

Middleville, Mich., resident Damion Jordan wipes his car dry on Saturday in downtown Lansing during the Car Capital Auto Show 2013.

2 | T he Stat e N e ws | m on day, ju ly 2 9, 201 3 | statene ws.com

Continued

Police brief Suspects detained for domestic gun incident Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of Bensch Street after a male caller because of shots fired at him on Wednesday.

According to Lansing police Public Information Officer Robert Merritt, the male entered the female’s residence and began to verbally and physically assault the female witness and a female friend. During the confrontation, the female suspect fired a shot at the male.

When officers arrived on the scene, the female came out of the house after verbal announcements were made.

She surrendered without incident and the officers were able to secure the house and locate the firearm.

Both the male caller and female suspect were taken to the Lansing Police Detention facility, with the incident is being further investigated.

Holly Baranowski

Three-day forecast

Monday Rain High: 73° Low: 54°

Tuesday Sunny High: 79° Low: 63°

Wednesday Sunny High: 79° Low: 64°

VOL. 104 | NO. 96

Index Campus+city 3+5 Opinion 4 Sports+features 6 Classified 5 Crossword 3 nn

Corrections The State News will correct all factual errors, including misspellings of proper nouns.

Besides printing the correction in this space, the correction will be made in the online version of the story. If you notice an error, please contact Managing Editor Stephen Brooks at (517) 432-3070 or by email at feedback@statenews.com.

Foundation

MSU LGBT community reflects on past struggles, builds with future in mind from page one

of the entire community.

"Just like the MSU community is full of a hugely diverse group of people, the LGBT community is also just as diverse."

Finding a home Emily Pelky remembers the moment she came out.

An admission of her identity, which lifted the weight of a strong but recognizable secret, the music education junior first admitted her sexual orientation to herself during her 11th grade year in high school in Macomb, Mich. But after a year of self-discovery upon coming to MSU, Pelky opened up, sharing one of her most guarded secrets with her friends and later her family.

"It’s especially hard to find people like you when you are a closeted person because, obviously, you don’t want everybody to know about you," Pelky said. "But I feel that most of the really involved freshmen were 'out and proud' coming into MSU, so they were able to make connections with groups and resources right away.

DETROIT

Officials still determining the impact of Detroit’s bankruptcy on E.L., rest of Michigan from page one

had in the middle of the 20th century, he said.

“If the bankruptcy can achieve a stabilization of the city’s finances, I believe the prospects for a better future are much brighter,” Ballard said. “And if that comes true, if Detroit reverses its decline, it will be good for the entire state, including East Lansing and MSU.” Michigan Municipal League Associate Executive Director Anthony Minghine said bankruptcy’s effect on East Lansing is residual, not immediate. He added the fact that credit markets view Michigan municipal debt differently has the poten-

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“If Detroit reverses its decline, it will be good for the entire state, including East Lansing and MSU.”

TUITION

Charles Ballard, MSU economics professor

from page one

tial to increase interest and issuing debt costs.

But Minghine emphasized all effects are tentative based on whatever happens with the courts.

Despite Detroit’s reputation of inefficient public services, interdisciplinary studies in social science junior, and Detroit native, Kayla Godbee said the city does a good job with what it has.

“I actually think the bankruptcy is a good thing,” Godbee said.

“People are freaking out now, but ... it gives you a chance to start over.”

Proposal would raise sales tax by 1 percent and generate more than $1.3 billion to ease cost of tuition

Republican-controlled Legislature would put that on the ballot.”

But Por n said t he pub lic might be more receptive of such a measure, as voters generally are willing to support a sales tax increase if it’s for a cause they “feel strongly about."

He cites an example of a proposal during former Michigan Gov. John Engler’s administration to raise the sales tax from 4 cents to 6 cents per dollar, to replace education funding lost after a property tax cut.

The proposal passed in 1994, but received no backlash from the Tea Party, which did not formally start endorsing political candidates until 2009.

who made derogatory comments to his face and spitting at his feet. He also said he's been met with this kind of harassment by a passing car and once when he was sitting at a stoop behind an East Lansing coffee shop — each attack came unprovoked, Evan said.

"I think the intolerant, hypermasculine sector of the student population has recently felt threatened by the inevitable acceptance of homosexuality," Evan said. "Due to all of the media attention and discussion surrounding the normalization of homosexuality, I think the harassment I have experienced recently is just pushback from people trying to hold on to that sociosexual tradition" Still, Evan said he sees the winds of change swirling and appreciates the positive reception to the LGBT culture demonstrated in mainstream media, citing a specific example in hip hop artists Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' pro-gay song "Same Love."

"Changes are in the works right now," Evan said. "There are gays of every shape, size and color, masculine, feminine, singers, football players, intellectuals, celebrities. The more visible we are in society, the more society will notice that we are normal people.

I think we’ve come a long way in the last five years."

The future Kevin Fleury is a graduate student at MSU. He's also a member of

the LGBT community.

A native of Marshall, Mich., Fleury sees the chance in the future for one distinction not to be greater or more significant than any other.

"Our LBGT community is a part of MSU’s student governments like RHA and ASMSU; they are a part of our Division I athletics teams; they are represented amongst the young men and women that make up our greek life system here at MSU," Fleury said.

"They are RAs, faculty and staff, administrators, Physical Plant workers, video gamers and performing arts entertainers. They are just as definable as the brunette population at MSU. They are no more alike or different to one another than any other group qualified by an arbitrary characteristic."

And although many stories remain untold, a growing sense of acceptance and tolerance is being built into the foundation of MSU. "MSU is a completely different atmosphere in which I feel that I can be who I am without the fear of people looking down on me or trying to tell me that I am 'wrong' for being me," Pelky said.

"I don’t really get treated any differently than any other student in that respect.

"I feel that all of the professors I have had thus far see people for who they are as human beings and (don't) discriminate based on factors like sexual orientation or even race."

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www.twitter.com/thesnews editorial staff (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 Sports+Features editor Omari Sankofa II Copy chief Katelyn Gray nn

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The long road ahead There still are battles being fought by members of the LBGT community at MSU. With stigmas in existence ranging from those in opposition of gay marriage to people who demonstrate a regular bias against the LGBT community, Shekell said MSU still has a long way to go to reach absolute equality — a struggle being felt in cities and campuses across the country.

"You still sometimes hear people saying, 'That’s so gay,' in a derogatory way, or hear straight guys yelling 'faggot' at their straight friends, or have signs for LGBT events being torn down, or have sexuality instructors who might not be as inclusive or knowledgeable about the LBGT community as you might expect," Shekell said.

"Things aren’t perfect, and there’s still a lot to be done at MSU, especially given the size of the campus."

Shekell’s statement only reiterates that it is not always a rosy picture for LGBT students at MSU, as others have experienced various levels of harassment and verbal abuse.

Social relations and policy and economics senior Maxwell Evan has been the victim of harassment as a result of his sexual orientation, which he attributes as a product of many men trying to protect their masculinity.

Evan said during his time at MSU, he was approached by a group of male students

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The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, Monday through Friday during fall, spring and select days during summer semesters. A special Welcome Week edition is published in August.

"When I wasn’t involved, campus life didn’t seem as vibrant as it does now."

And then there are couples such as packaging sophomore Becca Jarvis and her partner Jessica Mitchell, a criminal justice junior, who found serendipity at MSU. Although they chose MSU because it catered to their individual academic interests, both Jarvis and Mitchell now consider it the right choice for reasons beyond academics.

“From the moment I set foot on campus, I felt extremely welcome,” Mitchell said, noting she is an active member on the executive board of campus group Living in Great Harmony Together, or LIGHT. The Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Resource Center, or LBGT Resource Center, at MSU has inspired and encouraged many students to work toward the betterment of their community.

MSU alumna Erica Shekell, who graduated in 2013, said the burgeoning LBGT community at MSU was one of the reasons she decided to attend college here.

“MSU’s thriving LBGT community was a huge factor in my decision to attend MSU. When I was researching prospective colleges, I looked at their cost, the majors they offered and what resources they had for LGBT people, so MSU’s support for the LGBT community was literally a huge factor in my decision to attend MSU,” Shekell said.

Web adviser Mike Joseph, (517) 432-3014 Photo adviser Robert Hendricks, (517) 4323013 Business Manager Kathy Daugherty, (517) 4323000

SOLUTION THURSDAY’S PUZZLE SOLUTION TO TO SATURDAY’S PUZZLE

7/29/13

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

© 2013 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

stat e ne ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | mon day, j u ly 29, 2013 |

Campus+city

Campus+city Editor Robert Bondy, campus@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

statenews.com

Collecting for

The Politicke r

Charity Grand Ledge, Mich., resident and member of Meridian Professional Fire Fighters Union Monty Nye collects money from passing cars on Saturday, at the intersection of Okemos Road and Hamilton Road in Okemos. Nye and other members of the union were collecting the money all weekend to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, something they have been doing for nearly 60 years.

Detroit officials looking for positives from Bankruptcy The words “bankruptcy” and “positive” are scarcely found within the same sentence without the word “isn’t” between them. However, despite all the negative news following the July 18 bankruptcy filing by the city of Detroit, Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr said there is an upside to the city’s financial dilemmas — improvements to public services.

In a statement to the Detroit Free Press, Orr said new Detroit Police Chief James Craig requested new vehicles and equipment, an order that Orr is prepared to sign.

In one of the most violent major cities in the nation, the addition of 50 new squad cars, additional bulletproof vests and new tools to fight crime including stun guns will likely be a welcome addition to the force.

RJ Wolcott

N ews b ri e fs

Republicans lead in fundraising With the 2014 elections just on the horizon, new figures detailing fundraising efforts released by both parties show Republicans, who control both the House and the Senate, are opening up a significant lead on their Democratic colleagues.

The House Republican Campaign Committee has raised $316,000 since April, nearly double the $160,000 the House Democrats raised during the same three-month period.

Over on the Senate side, Republicans garnered $291,000 in contributions from constituents, dwarfing the $24,000 raised by Democrats. Republicans currently outnumber Democrats 59-49 in the House and 26-12 in the Senate.

While the current cycle has been unfavorable for Democrats, fund balances

show the two parties' war chests are more competitive.

House Republicans have just over $800,000 in the bank, while Democrats have $633,000. The Senate totals show the same trend, with the Democrats' $408,000 failing to reach half of the $1 million Republicans have on hand.

These figures come as the 2014 election will see a guaranteed 29 open seats in the House, as Republicans aim to widen the already existing gap.

RJ Wolcott

MSU receives $10 million to fight world hunger MSU has been given a $10 million grant, which will go toward a bigger movement to end world hunger.

The money comes from the U.S. Agency for International Development and will aid Feed the Future, a nationwide initiative to minimize world hunger and tighten food security, according to MSU Today. Specifically, the grant will give MSU experts

3

the opportunity to help countries around the world strengthen their food policies and improve overall food quality.

When the money is received, a focus group will work with researchers and government leaders in countries within three main areas: Latin America, Africa and Asia. Agricultural practices also potentially will be altered to better resist the effects of global climate change, giving farmers better crop yields and helping to stabilize their income.

Also, as a part of the initiative, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy partially will be controlled

by MSU's Food Security Group, which is fronted by co-directors Duncan Boughton and Eric Crawford.

The mission also will focus on keeping food prices low, despite changes to its quality.

Danyelle Morrow | The State News

Katie Abdilla

Rice Kitchen

Food Packaging senior Nick Devine hands a MSU ID to media and information senior Kolien Owens, left, on Friday at the Gallery at Snyder/ Phillips.

Owens has been working at the Gallery for two years now.

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Dining plan prices will rise for 2013-14 mkransz@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

MSU Culinary Services will restructure off-campus dining plans and raise prices for the 2013-14 academic year, starting Aug. 17. Increasing wholesale food prices, utility costs and other business expenses drove the price increases, Jenna Brown, communications manager for MSU Culinary Services, said in an email.

All three on-campus dining plans will remain the same, from number of meals to amount of Sparty cash, but will rise in price by 3.9 percent. The price rise is in accordance with the MSU Board of Trustees decision to raise room and board rates by 3.9 percent for the 2013-14 academic year.

Off-campus dining plans, those offering a set number of cafeteria visits for a bulk price, will change. Previously the highest bulk quantity was 100 meals at $7.50 per meal, but now students can purchase 175 meals at a time for $6.75 per meal. There also are four new bulk quantities available: 25, 50, 125 and 175, with the 100-meal plan remaining from the 2012-13 academ-

ic year and rising in price by 10 percent.

For students without any meal plan, the price of cafeteria admission will rise by $0.50 for lunch, dinner and late-night and by $0.24 for breakfast.

Other changes include Combo-X-Change being usable at the Food for Thought food truck and the Union Food Court becoming all-you-can-eat from 8 p.m. to midnight, every night, to accommodate students in North Neighborhood while Landon Dining Hall is closed for renovations.

Off-campus student and international relations senior Jared Merlo said he visits the cafeterias once a day, using and renewing the 10- and 20-meal bulk plans.

Merlo said the cafeterias are expensive on paper, but offer much more. "(Today) I sat down in the cafe at 12 p.m. and left at 2 p.m.," he said. "I get there, sit down and study with all the conveniences: coffee, pop, things to snack on. It's hard to say the cafe situation (is) a bad deal."

Unlike the cafeterias, study sessions at coffee shops offer less, but charge for every item, coffee refills included, Merlo said. If his meal plan situation differed, so might his mentality, he said.

Off-campus plans Old Plan 10 meals

$87.50 total $8.75 per meal

40 meals $340 total $8.50 per meal

70 meals $560 total $8 per meal

New Plan

On-campus plans

$231.25 total $9.25 per meal

Old Plan (not approximate):

25 meals

50 meals

silver

$437.50 total $8.75 per meal

$2,486

gold

100 meals

platinum

$825 total $8.25 per meal

$750 total $7.50 per meal

$968.75 total $7.75 per meal

New Plan $2,585

gold $2,735

platinum

175 meals $1,181.25 total $6.75 per meal

"If I was forced to have a meal plan, maybe it would be a different thing for me," Merlo said.

"When you have one option and someone raises the price on that option, you feel abused."

Criminal justice junior Phillip Williams is moving from the dorms to off-campus housing this fall and is considering purchasing a bulk meal plan.

"It's very convenient to have the food there," Williams said.

"It's premade, and there are plenty of choices."

$2,773

silver

125 meals 100 meals

$2,628

$2,885

Across Source: Communications manager for MSU Culinary Services Jenna Brown

By Michael Kransz

Williams said the off-campus plans have always interested him compared to the unlimited meal plans forced on dorm residents.

"People shouldn't have to pay for what they don't want, won't eat," he said. "I always wanted the set number of meals so you get charged (only) when you eat. I'll miss the fresh food and atmosphere of the cafeteria … Can't complain about the workers. Can't complain about the food, just the price."

1 Mustard-colored kernels 5 Campaign ad target 10 Best buds 14 Toward shelter, at sea 15 Boxing venue 16 Dr. Frankenstein’s helper 17 Musical Horne 18 Lost some color 19 Refuse to continue 20 *Page-bottom reference indicated by an asterisk 22 Exotic lizard 24 St. Elmo’s __ 25 Yawn inducer 26 Vowel sound in “bug” 29 Designer Gucci 30 That ship 33 Junction point 34 *Skydiver using low-altitude starting points 37 Dickens’s Heep 39 Mom, to Auntie 40 __ bear 41 *Nervous wreck 44 Ecstatic review 45 Concorde, e.g., for short 46 Crazy as a __ 47 Like a three-piece suit 49 Supply that exceeds demand 50 Like the Magi

51 “On the wall” beauty judge in a film classic 54 Angels or Dodgers, and, in a way, what the first words of the answers to starred clues comprise 58 Garfield’s pal 59 Hot under the collar 61 Norway’s capital 62 Alternative word 63 Like anchovies 64 Funnyman Carvey 65 Plant’s beginning 66 “__ are the times that ...”: Paine 67 State, in France

Down

1 Young cow 2 Topping in a tub 3 Nevada gambling city 4 Compulsive tidyupper 5 Vicks mentholated ointment 6 Address the crowd 7 Prefix with vision 8 WSW’s opposite 9 One supplying drivetime music, briefly 10 Stimulate, as curiosity 11 Juanita’s water 12 Choice cut 13 Mlle., in Mexico 21 Point trivially picked 23 Word after support or study

25 Sanctify 26 Deliberately doesn’t invite 27 Jewish wedding dances 28 Dedicative poet 29 Made in Taiwan, say 30 Wet impact sound 31 Let out, as a sigh 32 Messed up 35 Knotted neckwear 36 System with dots and dashes 38 “You had me at __”: “Jerry Maguire” line 42 Camera-toting traveler, often 43 Curse-inducing stare 48 Immigrant’s subj.

49 Avarice 50 Light bulb units 51 “The Simpsons” tavern 52 Gathering dust 53 Increase 54 Hayloft bundle 55 Atty.-to-be’s exam 56 Forearm bone 57 Tub toy 60 Stadium cheer

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4 | Th e State N e ws | m on day, july 2 9, 201 3 | staten ews.com

Opinion

Featured blog E.L. changing for better “While city officials would disagree, East Lansing is a 100 percent genuine college town. From the casual eateries to student bookstores lining Grand River Avenue and the cornucopia of bars, pubs and breweries, the city has more or less existed in the shadow of the university for decades.”

Ou r voice | E ditorial

graduation delay becoming common trend EDITORIAL BOARD Dillon Davis editor in chief Michael Koury opinion editor Michael Kransz staff representative Ariel Ellis minority representative

T

he times of graduating from a typical four-year college or university appear to be over, according to a recent Forbes article.

Students graduating from a four-year public institution in four years is 32 percent. While, in comparison, people graduating from a private university in four years is 59 percent. The reason given is most people attending privates universities are having their tuition paid by someone else and don't have to split time between schoolwork and a job to help pay for college.

There are plenty of reasons why students are taking longer to graduate. Students always are transferring schools and credits can be lost along the way.

Students can change their minds about what they want to do in life and decide to pursue another major, which means they'll have to take more classes. Of course, the reason why a student is taking longer is relative to the individual.

What might be the reason students are taking an extra year to complete their degree is the need for more real world experience outside of college. In an ever-uncertain job market, the ability to prove you can do what you're learning inside the classroom out of it is at its most important.

This is not uncommon in today's age as employers have moved beyond the point of taking someone's word for it and want to see some proof you can actually do the job they're applying for.

The job market is what it is right now and it doesn't look to be changing any-

“ Unless you’re trying to attain a medical degree, nobody actually wants to be like Van Wilder and stay that long”

— R.J. Wolcott, State News reporter time soon.

That doesn't mean students can’t be as aptly prepared as they can’t possibly be.

Adding an extra semester or two isn't the ideal situation people want to be in and take on more debt, but the experience somebody can gain with that time spent outside of the classroom is unparalleled and so much more valuable than anything else.

Extracurricular activities take a lot of somebody's free time, but it's so much more valuable than any amount of time somebody can spend in the classroom.

This is what employers will be looking at and evaluating when it comes time to decide between who they're going to hire. Know how to do the job you want before you get it.

If someone doesn't have the skill set needed for the job they want and hasn't

Read the rest online at statenews.com/blog.

proved they can do it outside of what their GPA says, then why should that employer hire them?

The ability to prove yourself is more important now than ever before.

This isn't to say people should take their time at college and stay six or seven years. Unless you’re trying to attain a medical degree, nobody actually wants to be like Van Wilder and stay that long. Five years is now accepted as the norm to graduate. Four years always is the best case scenario because no student wants to incur any more debt than they need to, but as Bob Dylan once sang, "The times they are a-changin'," and so is what employers are looking for.

opinion column

editorial cartoonist

international students deserve more respect

A

dmittedly, I never have paid much attention to MSU’s vast internat iona l st udent

welcoming?

Oftentimes, Americans have a uniquely unpleasant attitude toward those who are different, which is ironic considering our country's cultural blending. It seems many domestic population. students treat international students, Despite my diverse ethnic back- no matter where they might be from, ground, in my two years at MSU, it like people with special needs. They never occurred to me to get to know stare and gawk at them. They speak them as people. Like many other stu- unnecessarily loud, often without dents, I tend to operate within three taking the time to recognize whethspheres of influence: work, school er they’re being understood. They assume the worst without even givand sleep.

But as I sat at a round table in The ing them the time of day to explain.

As typically impatient people, we Gallery in Snyder and Phillips halls on a quiet afternoon last week, I had love to blame the weaker links for no idea it would only take one per- our small misfortunes. But perhaps if most students knew the journey it son to change my outlook. took to get them here A b out h a l f w a y and the battles they through my lunch, I academics & face every day, they’d was approached by Administration be a little more kind a woman looking reporter and understanding. for a place to sit in For starters, interthe crowded cafetenat iona l st udent s ria. She spoke broken pay much more than English and was cleardomestic students, ly very frazzled. As she oftentimes out of pockcaught my eye, I shiftet, to attend MSU. ed my chair to make While most in-state room and was met with students pay more a sigh of relief. katie abdilla than $400 per credAs we sat and smallkabdilla@statenews.com it hour, students comtalked, I learned she ing from other counwas visiting from China for a teachers’ training program tries pay more than $1,000 per credand had been at MSU for less than it hour. With limited grants and loans a month. She was incredibly sweet, being provided, many of them rely on and she possessed a quality I hadn’t merit-based aid, such as scholarships, seen in anybody for quite some time to pay for college. For them, every credit is earned, be it by their par— pure, untamed happiness.

“So, what do you love the most ents or through their own intellect.

These students also have to plan about Michigan State?” I asked.

She paused for a moment, took a their schedule carefully to make sure they are full-time students each deep breath and beamed.

“The fresh air,” she said through semester. Unlike most domestic students, who risk losing financial aid her grin. “That’s hard to come by.”

Out of the many things MSU has over credit troubles, those from othto offer, I wouldn’t have thought to er countries risk being deported and mention the air itself. But then I con- sent back home.

Oh, and don’t forget that no one sidered what little I knew of China and its environment and it all made outside of a small group of people sense. Despite years of battling pol- knows a single word of your native lution, many large cities and their language. Can you imagine going nearby bodies of water are barely liv- through your life each day knowing able. So to someone who came from 90 percent of the people around you a place where the living conditions can't understand you?

If an American student was studyare borderline toxic, I could see why fresh air and a clear sky would be ing abroad, like many MSU students do, they would expect some help considered a commodity.

She also spoke highly of her pro- from the natives. So why should we fessors, saying how refreshing it demand anything less from ourselves was to be around educational lead- when a student from another couners who genuinely cared about her try asks for help in our home territoprogress. As she went on, I began to ry? It’s not just an issue of respect; it’s realize how many times I have taken an issue of morality. Despite their culmy own education for granted or not tural differences, they are still human tried my best. I have groaned about beings with needs to be met and emomeaningless things: large lectures, tions to consider.

So the next time an internationunexpected homework, a disagreement with a professor, and here the al student accidentally bumps you in woman was ecstatic over the chance line or looks lost, don’t be so quick to to prove herself and step up to the verbally abuse them or blame their country of origin. If they ask you a challenge.

I look back at the conversation question, don't speak louder, speak and I’m struck with another unset- slower — they can hear you just fine. tling thought: if she had come to If they cross the street at the wrong other students, seeking a friend or time by accident, don't threaten them even a place to sit, would they have from the driver’s seat.

When it becomes tempting to even looked her in the eye? Yes, MSU has the self-made reputation blame them for the minute woes you as a top research facility and study face throughout the day, consider the abroad middle ground — but when path it took to get them here and proit comes to the student-to-student vide the same respect you’d expect in relationship, are we really all that their shoes.

Michael Holloway mholloway@ statenews.com

thursday’s poll results JUST SO YOU KNOW Do you care about the birth of the royal baby?

Today’s state news poll

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A little bit 20%

Not at all 65%

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“Why Christians must disagree with gay marriage” Holy matrimony is what is performed by the church.

Marriage is the legal contract that provides rights.

We have separation of church and state and it means just what it’s called. It is not detrimental for two people who love each other to be able to marry. If you followed everything in the Bible, specifically Leviticus, you would not eat shellfish, wear blended fabrics, get a haircut, etc. etc. etc. The list goes on and on, and yet this is the one thing that people refuse to ignore.

Although I respectfully disagree with your position, I absolutely agree that to classify Christians as hateful and bigoted for their beliefs on gay marraige is unfair. Unfortunately, this article doesn’t really explain or defend that position. Instead, it repeatedly (and sometimes patronizingly) recites the same tired arguments we’ve heard a thousand times. If conservative Christians want acceptance of their views on the issue...

(comment continued at statenews.com)

(comment continued at statenews.com)

Colin W, July 24

Matt G, July 25

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stat e ne ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | mon day, j u ly 29, 2013 |

Police

Competition

Locals discuss automatic license plate readers

By Holly Baranowski hbaranowski@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

What law enforcement officers consider an efficient and helpful tool, the public seems to think of as an invasion of privacy. The tool, automatic license plate readers, allows officers to check for stolen cars, expired license plates or outstanding warrants without the lift of a finger.

What has people concerned, though, is the retention of this data. “It spawns off another big issue of how the police department can find out what kinds of affiliations you have, who your doctor is, just based on the places you go,� Lansing resident Charles Hoffmeyer said.

Through a grant, Meridian Township police were able to begin using automatic license plate readers in 2009. Since then, many local law enforcement agencies have invested in the technology, including the East Lansing Police Department and the MSU Police Department, Lansing police Public Information Officer Robert Merritt said.

As cars are driving down the road, the plate reader is able to pick up the license plate through a series of highspeed photographs. Instead of having to manually enter the license plate number as officers do now, the readers are able to quickly retrieve information, such as if the car is under police investigation or belongs to a missing person.

The data is then entered into the National Crime Information Center. “It is already established within the United States that police officers, as they are driving down the road, can type in your plate,� Merritt said. “We don’t have to have a reason, we can type in a thousand plates.

All this is allowing (is) that the officers don’t have to physically (enter it) in with their fingers.�

But the controversy does not lie with the efficiency of this tool, it comes down to where the data goes, and for how long. Citizens worry that

Charlotte, Mich., resident Gary Zimmerman picks up a few documents from his car, Saturday, in downtown Lansing during the Car Capital Auto Show 2013. The 21st annual event was organized by the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum.

“It’s just another tool for law enforcement, like any tool it can be abused if it falls in the wrong hands.

The public doesn’t know too much about them.�

Robert Merritt, Lansing police public information officer

photos by Justin Wan/ The State News

when the plate is read, and there is a time and place at tac hed, t hat of f icer s are imposing on personal information. “My issue is really with the collection of the data itself and the retention of the data,â€? Hoffmeyer said. “Right now, they’re keeping the information for a year, and I would like to see it closer to 30 days. ‌ They can go back and see who was in that area, but they’re not keeping enough information so that they can see where I’ve been for the last year.â€?

MSU police have invested in three of the devices, but have not deployed them, MSU spokesman Jason Cody said. They are still working out the kinks, developing an addition policy on the data retention. Likewise, Lansing police have installed three readers, but have not started using them. They plan to have a policy in place and use them in September, Merritt said. “It’s just another tool for law enforcement, like any tool it can be abused if it falls in the wrong hands,�

Merritt said. “The public doesn’t know too much about them. People think that when you read a plate it’s going to tell you how many children you have, how many bank loans you have. No, your personal information isn’t coming up. It’s used for law enforcement.�

Classic auto show attracts cars statewide

By April Jones THE STATE NEWS nn

Mother nature whizzed though Lansing's 21st annual classic auto show, pouring down heavy rain and wind Saturday afternoon, but car owners stood their ground.

A little rain wasn't going to ruin an event full of classic Ledesma cars, trophies and as Lansing local Mario Ledesma would say, "a great time."

In its first year as Car Capitol Auto Show, formerly known as Car Capitol Celebration, an estimated 300 cars were in attendance with a professional judge staff selecting the winning cars.

Executive Director of R.E. Olds Transportation Museum Bill Adcock said the show is a great event for anyone in the state who loves cars.

"You get a lot (of) nicer classic cars than what you'd normally get," Adcock said. "Anybody is welcome, cars come in from all over the state of Michigan, not just Lansing cars or neighboring towns."

The event had a $30 preregistration date fee and a $35 fee for those who elected to register on Saturday, Adcock said.

Saturday morning, Mario

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ma, helping boost sales for local hotels as well.

Ever since Mario Ledesma retired, he has been fulfilling his passion for cars, traveling the country to car shows. As a child, Mario Ledesma was always impressed by cars, but especially had an eye out for the Ford Fairlane Sports Coupes.

According to Fred Thorne, his brother-in-law, Mario Ledesma's flashy car has made him a completely different person.

"Before he got this car, he was a homeboy." Thorne said.

"He always stayed in the house and would rarely leave. He got this and it completely changed

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his life."

In Mario Ledesma's free time, he enjoys riding all over the United States to different car shows with his grandson. In only three years of owning the coupe, Ledesma has managed to bring home around 15-20 winning trophies.

"I'd love if he kept this car forever." said Mario Ledesma III, grandson of Mario Ledesma. "I drive with him all the time and it gets a lot of attention.�

More online ‌ To watch a video about the car show, visit statenews. com/multimedia.

short walk around the neighborhood clears your mind.

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Ledesma, 64, brought out his white-and-blue-striped 1964 Ford Fairlane Coupe along with his family and friends to enjoy two of his favorite things in life — people and cars.

Mario Ledesma didn't have to make a long trip to the event.

He was born and raised in East Lansing before moving to Lansing with his wife Sue Ledesma.

In the late 1970s until the mid1980s, he worked as a construction worker at MSU, where he often repaired broken seats in Spartan Stadium.

Adcock said many of the participants travel from across the country, unlike Mario Ledes-

Horoscope By Linda C. Black

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Auto memorabilia pins are displayed on Flushing, Mich., resident Denny Lawrason’s jacket on Saturday in downtown Lansing during the Car Capital Auto Show 2013. An estimated 300 cars attended the show.

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6 | T he State N e ws | m o nday, july 29, 201 3 | staten ews.com

Sports+features

Features+sports editor Omari Sankofa II, features@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

head athletic trainer jeff monroe retires

By Ariel Ellis aellis@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

After 27 years at MSU, assistant athletics director and head athletic trainer Jeff Monroe has retired, and a renamed and redesigned Sports Medicine and Performance Department will commence.

The division will now include athletic training, strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports psychology and counseling — which athletics director Mark Hollis said was envisioned by

associate athletics director Jim Pignataro.

“What this new division will provide is a more streamlined approach to our sports medicine services,” Hollis said in a statement on Friday. “Jim has pulled together many moving parts and has consulted with medical professionals to design, what we feel, is one of the most comprehensive Sports Medicine and Performance divisions in the country.”

Pignataro said the steps taken to better the department

have been underway for a few months, but now was a critical time to implement the changes.

“I really think these changes allows us to have better planning and monitoring in our sports medicine practices,” Pignataro said. “We really asked a lot of our staff to take on a lot, and ... what we’re able to do is take this, what we’re calling “sports medicine service array,” and really take a more administrative and strategic planning approach to all of our services.”

Following Monroe’s retire-

changes to the program are minor tweaks that he and the rest of the staff are doing to perfect the program.

“The three of us (Carrier, Nogle and Kovan) have over 80 years of experience at Michigan State alone, so it isn’t like we’re creating anything new; we’re just going to tweak the program and revisit some things,” Carrier said.

Nogle said the changes to the department are ones student-athletes can benefit from.

“We’ve always offered extra help, and now there will be some

more positive things for the athletes that they will be able to utilize,” Nogle said.

MSU junior running back Jeremy Langford said whether the changes are major or minor, he appreciates anything being done to benefit them.

“It’s good that they are making these changes to better improve the different aspects of being a student-athlete, and it will also help with ... showing parents that MSU cares about us as individuals and is willing to make changes to do so,” Langford said.

football

sports brief

Battling for position

Five former spartans to be inducted into msu hof On Friday, MSU announced that as part of the Celebrate 2013 weekend, MSU will induct five members into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 12.

The five include former MSU hockey greats Kip and Ryan Miller, former MSU football player and assistant coach Henry Bullough, former MSU basketball player Morris Peterson and former MSU volleyball player Jenna Wrobel.

Kip Miller played hockey at MSU from 1986 to 1990. He ended his collegiate career with the third-most points (261) and goals (116) in school history. The sixth of 10 total family members to play hockey at MSU— Kip enters the Hall of Fame with his cousin, fellow MSU hockey player, Ryan Miller.

Ryan was a Spartan hockey player from 1999 to 2002 and is famous for his performance during his sophomore year in which he broke an NCAA record 1.32 goals-against average and won nearly every conceivable award that year.

Playing from 1952 to 1954, Henry Bullough was a three-year starter at guard and helped MSU to a combined record of 21-7 (.750) from 1952-54. He was an assistant coach for 12 years.

Morris Peterson was the first nonstarter to ever earn first-team All-Big Ten honors.

He is one of eight players in Spartan history with 1,500 points and 600 rebounds, and ranks 10th in career made 3-point field

ment, personnel changes have been made as well.

Dr. Jeff Kovan was appointed director of Sports Medicine and Performance. Dr. Sally Nogle took Monroe’s place as head athletic trainer. Dave Carrier is taking on the role of associate head athletic trainer. Former intern Salina Halliday was hired full time as an athletic trainer, and David Jager was added to the staff as the second athletic trainer for football.

Carrier, who has been a part of MSU’s athletics department for 30 years, said that the recent

Maxwell No. 1, but starting QB position not set

State News File Photo

Former men’s basketball forward Morris Peterson, left, with former guard Mateen Cleaves, right, during the MSU Basketball Alumni Game on Dec. 14, 2012, in the Jenison Field House.

goals (146).

Leading the Spartans to four-straight NCAA volleyball tournaments from 1995 to 1998, Jenna Wrobel is one of four first-team All-Americans in Spartan history.

The fourth annual Varsity Letter Jacket Presentation and Hall of Fame induction ceremony will kick off the Celebrate 2013 weekend on Sept. 12.

by Ariel Ellis | SN

State News File Photo

Then-sophomore quarterback Connor Cook hands the ball off to then-redshirt freshman running back/linebacker Riley Bullough during the Green and White spring game on April 20, 2013 at Spartan Stadium. The White team won 24-17.

By Matthew Pizzo mpizzo@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Andrew Maxwell started all 13 games at quarterback for MSU in 2012. However, he underwhelmed for much of the season, coming up short on drives late in the game, and ultimately led the team to a disappointing 7-6 record.

Then-redshirt freshman quarterback Connor Cook came off the bench and led the game-winning drive to beat TCU in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.

Leaving one big, unanswered question for the 2013 season: Maxwell or Cook?

Following the 2013 Big Ten football media day, head coach Mark Dantonio made it clear: Maxwell currently will maintain the starting quarterback position for the 2013 season.

“Right now, Andrew is our No. 1 quarterback,” Dantonio said. “He’s got a great deal of experience and a lot of confidence right now.”

Despite Maxwell being named starting quarterback, Dantonio said the quarterback's play in August will ultimately determine who will lead the offense in the fall.

“We’re looking forward to the competition,” Dantonio said.

During a roundtable in June, Dantonio said a lack of experience affected Maxwell during the season, as well as MSU great Kirk Cousins in 2009.

According to Dantonio, he wants to avoid beginning another season with an inexperienced quarterback, such as Maxwell in 2012.

Cook appeared in three games in 2012 and has been working with quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. over the summer. Whitfield Jr. has a strong résumé as a coach, as he has worked with Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Johnny Manziel, among others.

"Connor Cook has played as everybody knows — I think that's a big positive for us," Dantonio said.

"He’s excited about where he’s at as well, and his confidence is very high."

With the potential Cook showed in 2012 and the importance of experience Dantonio has stressed, Cook

Key battles The MSU football team announced the 2013 depth chart last week:

Running Back

Quarterback

*

*

1. Andrew Maxwell* 2. Connor Cook 3. Tyler O’Connor 4. Paul Andrie 5. Tommy Vento

1. Riley Bullough 2. Nick Hill* 3. Jeremy Langford 4. Nick Tompkins

R

A

edshirt freshman Riley Bullough, surprisingly, was moved from linebacker to tailback during spring practice. Bullough rushed for 48 yards on 11 carries in the annual Green and White spring game. Nick Hill returned kicks and punts for MSU in 2012, ranking second on the team in allpurpose yards with 789.

ndrew Maxwell started all 13 games for MSU in 2012, completing 52.5 percent of his passes.

However, then-redshirt freshman Connor Cook showed his potential last season, leading the gamewinning drive against TCU in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.

Right Tackle

Wide Receiver

*

*

1. Fou Fonoti* 2. Skyler Burkland 3. Michael Dennis

1. Bennie Fowler 2. Tony Lippett* 3. Monty Madaris 4. Tres Barksdale

S

enior Fou Fonoti received a medical redshirt following a foot injury prior to the Notre Dame game in 2012. He started 13 games at right tackle in 2012.

Skyler Burkland replaced Fonoti in 2012. Burkland’s career has been rumored to be finished due to injuries; however, coaches have not commented on his status.

could possibly receive a fair amount of snaps in 2013.

“Our quarterback position is much stronger than it was last year,” Dantonio said.

In addition to Maxwell

B

ennie Fowler led MSU receivers in nearly all categories in 2012, ending with 524 receiving yards, 41 receptions, 4 touchdowns and his first 100-yard receiving game.

Tony Lippett ranked third on the team in receptions with 36 and recorded two touchdown catches.

and Cook, redshirt freshman Tyler O’Connor received a lot of reps in the spring, and coveted freshman recruit Damion Terry could remain in the mix as well.