Thursday 9/4/14 by The State News

16 minutes to Spartan Stadium 16 minutes to MSU Dairy Store 16 minutes to MSU Union 12 minutes to Breslin Student Events Center 23 minutes to Student Services

26 minutes to Main Library

Conquering campus — page 6-7

asmsu

ASMSU president ready for term Plans include bike sharing program T hu r s DAY, SE P TE MB E R 4 , 2 014

sports

c i ty

— page 2

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“We were forced to file a lawsuit to protect the democratic process.” East Lansing Citizens for a Public Servant City Attorney organizer Jeffrey Hank, on the claim that East Lansing City Clerk Marie Wicks invalidated citizens’ petition signatures — page 9

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Volleyball players to watch in ACC-Big Ten Challenge Examining key players from MSU, Duke and UNC going into this weekend’s ACC-Big Ten Challenge at Jenison Field House. Read more on Page 5

News

Rebecca Ryan and Simon Schuster Trends and issues editor Breaking news editor campus@statenews.com @thesnews

ASMSU president shares goals for year MSU’s undergraduate student government shares goals of making campus healthier and servicing students from different cultural backgrounds as the first general assemble meeting approaches.

By AJ Moser

ASMSU President James Conwell poses for a portrait in his office on Wednesday in the Student Services Building. Conwell has been the president of ASMSU since May 2014.

campus@statenews.com

Leaders of ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, hope this year’s initiatives will make all students from different cultural backgrounds feel welcome on campus. In early August, the executive members of ASMSU attended the Association of Big Ten Students conference in Nebraska, which brought together leaders from 14 universities to discuss making college life the best experience for everyone on campus. Topics covered included safety and inclusion, with a big focus on sexual assault prevention. ASMSU President James Conwell said that the program’s biggest goal this year is to make MSU a healthier campus. “We are really trying to work closely with administrators on key issues,” Conwell said. “Through several smaller programs with important focuses, I feel we can make a huge difference. ... Last year’s Mental Health Awareness program was a big success and brought together several student groups like UAB and RHA, working together with one vision. We had huge numbers of students united behind a clear message in a way we have never had before.”

PHOTO: JESSALYN TAMEZ

FAC T The first general assembly meeting will take place Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Any interested students are invited to visit the third floor of the Student Services building to get involved.

Controversy Last year, ASMSU was behind the controversial

What To Fix MSU campaign that took over campus last academic year. “WTFMSU” tags were spray painted on several sidewalks outside of some lecture halls and important locations on campus. The idea behind the WTFMSU program was to encourage student discussion about university issues, but instead lead to a chalk paint cleanup process that cost ASMSU service fees and affected the organizations public image. The official police report deemed the actions to be vandalism, as graffiti not commissioned by ASMSU appeared all over campus. The organization covered costs of the cleanup. In April of this year, Conwell was elected president of ASMSU. He has been involved with the program since his freshman year and encourages any student with a passion for politics to do the same. “Learning to interact with people who have vastly different views than you is important,” Conwell said. “Especially when you are all working towards the same goal.” Several students still disagree with the way ASMSU is run and have been vocal about certain policies. The MSU Review, a blog critical of ASMSU run by recent MSU graduate Jordan Zammit, encouraged students to vote “no” on the ASMSU tax renewal of $18 on all students in their elections in April. The renewal of the tax passed, and ASMSU will continue using the funds to fund their future endeavors.

The presence ASMSU has had among students has not always been positive, and in some cases, students are unaware of what the organization actually does for them. “I don’t even know when ASMSU meetings are,” Grant Kunzelman, a neuroscience sophomore and member of the Phillips Hall government said. “I love being a part of hall government, but I’ve never been made aware of what I can do to get involved with (ASMSU).” What’s Next Conwell said ASMSU also hopes to become “more open to students.” He said representatives plan to go out on campus, meeting students face-to-face to discuss important policies and issues. Specifically, ASMSU hopes to get 15,000 students registered to vote in the Lansing area, especially this year with several important elections happening in state government. Another area of focus for ASMSU this year is a pilot program for the proposed bike sharing project. ASMSU recently bought bikes for students to rent from Bailey Hall, Conwell said. ASMSU will test if it can be applied on a larger scale. Conwell said the success of the program will largely rely on the number of students using the bikes when the weather changes in the winter.

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Student suggestions for ASMSU Do you know what ASMSU is, and what do you think of the organization? — AJ Moser

“They should be more involved in the community. I’d want to see representation everywhere it is possible.” Brandon Patrone, Finance sophomore

“I don’t know what ASMSU stands for, but I know they are the government for the student body. I’ve only ever heard of them from little pamphlets in the dining hall.” Hayley Dennis, Interdisciplinary studies in social science senior

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“The sophomore class profile just followed me on Twitter last night. Other than that, I had never heard from the student government. It seems like they are trying to reach out more to students now.” Alaina Kastl, Human development and family studies junior

“The No. 1 thing they should focus on is finding creative ways to reach out to students. Most of the time, the students who are already aware of the kind of things they provide are not the students that need them.” Ray Macksoud, Supply chain management senior

Contents

Seeking Directors

i ns i d e

Ryan Keener of MSU men’s soccer hopes to continue his growth in the sport

E.L. City Council approves benefit equality requirement

Looking for a credit card? Check out the best cards for students to use

Page 5

Page 10

Page 12

•for 2014-2016• The State News is now accepting applications for the Board of Directors. The board establishes the policies and budget of The State News and annually selects the editor-in-chief and advertising manager. Members attend monthly meetings during the academic year and serve two-year terms. The twelve member board represents members of the MSU community and newspaper profession and consists of three professional journalists, three MSU faculty/staff members and six registered students.

“I applied to serve as a student member on the board of The State News to assist with important decision making and learn more about the way successful non-profits organizations function.” Marva Goodson State News Board of Directors Hospitality business sophomore Matt Kobayashi’s headphones hang in his dorm room on Wednesday at Landon Hall. To see dorm decoration tips, turn to page 8. PHOTO: JESSALYN TAMEZ

da i ly N u mb e r

3.54 average kills per set for sophomore volleyball player Allyssah Fitterer.

Q u i ck R e a d

E.L. ranks as one of the most walkable cities in the U.S. Despite how many students complain about walking long distances to class, it turns out East Lansing is one of the most walkable cities in the nation. According to a report from the U.S. census, East Lansing was the country’s 8th most walkable small city with a population of 20,000 to 99,999 people from 2008 to 2012 — and the 7th best for cyclists. The SpareFoot Blog also recently ranked East Lansing as the 8th most walkable college town. — Emily Jenks Read more on statenews.com

VOL . 105 | NO. 6 Contact The State News (517) 432-3000 Newsroom/Corrections (517) 432-3070 feedback@statenews.com General Manager Marty Sturgeon (517) 432-3000 Advertising M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (517) 432-3010 advertising Managers Alex Hubert Kelsey Taber Colophon The State News design features Acta, a newspaper type system created by DSType Foundry.

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, Monday through Friday during the academic year. Subscription rates: $5 per semester on campus; $125 a year, $75 for one fall or spring semester, $60 for summer semester by mail anywhere in the continental United States. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the MSU community. Additional copies $0.75 at the business office only. State News Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Ave. during business hours.

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editorial staff (517) 432-3070

Openings: Applications are being accepted for:

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Editor in chief Celeste Bott managing editor Anya Rath BREAKING NEWS EDITOR Simon Schuster TRENDS AND ISSUES EDITOR Rebecca Ryan SPORTS EDITOR Omari Sankofa II PHOTO EDITOR Julia Nagy

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Opinion

Merinda Valley Opinion editor opinion@statenews.com @thesnews

W e d n e s day ’ s r e s u lt s

Opinion Po ll

30%—Campus bookstores 60%—Online

How and where do you buy your books for school?

0%—From other students 10%—I don’t buy books for my classes 19 responses total

Don’t be part of the new ‘Silent Generation’ Our generation has been called many names. One label that really sticks out to me is the new Silent Generation. Members of the original Silent Generation came before the baby boomers. They grew up from 1925 to 1945, a time when voicing opinions and beliefs wasn’t the norm. There was so much unrest within the United States over communist advances abroad, and people were wary of being labeled a communist by mistake. They were cautious about what they said and who they associated with. The events that occurred during their time such as the Great Depression and World War II were significant, but the people were not. It is understandable that they could be forgotten as a whole, given the events they

Mike holloway

were dealing with. But what is our generation’s excuse? We live in a relatively safe world. We have more freedom to speak and dissent than in years past or in other countries. Even so, our generation largely lives with a “someone else will do it” attitude, myself included. In a tough situation, we’re more likely to pull out our phones and start recording video than step in to help. Though it happened last year, one incident involving a 12-year-old boy named Bailey O’Neill describes my point. O’Neill attended an elementary school in Philadelphia. At recess one day, he was maliciously attacked by two of his classmates. He was left with a broken nose and concussion. He later suffered from several seizures and went into a medically induced

coma. O’Neill was in a coma for one month, and the day after his 12th birthday, he died. If his classmates had stepped in and stopped the situation, he would likely be alive today. It’s sad that not even seeing a person being beaten can spur someone into action. We need to change this and get motivated. We all have friends or know of people who sit around and do nothing — whether in terms of work or issues in society. They choose inaction instead of action because it’s the easier route. Imagine living in a world filled with those kinds of people. It’s a world in which most would rather scrape by than speak out. A world where you can’t expect help from others because that would require effort.

Of course, not everyone in our generation falls under this stereotype, but unfortunately, we’re defined by the people who do. We need to be more motivated and passionate to get out of that rut. Francis Fukuyama, an American political scientist, wrote a book titled “The End of History and the Last of Man.” In it, he proposes that history ended in 1989 after the Cold War because democracy is too powerful to challenge again. Maybe Fukuyama is right about history ending, but for other reasons. History can still be created outside the political realm, but perhaps our generation is just too lazy to make more of it. Hopefully someone else will. Rich Vadasy is a State News intern. Reach him at opinion@statenews.com

Overall health should be more important than weight Try to lead a healthy lifestyle and be active, but don’t stress yourself out too much about the number on the scale.

Coming into the first year of college, people always tell you that college is a different experience. They’re right. Coming from a different county made the experience all the more different for me. One such difference that I am still trying to acclimate myself to is my body. Yes, you read that right. Before college I had a much slimmer body shape and I always made sure I ate healthily. But everything changed with freshman year. Coming from a country like Egypt, if you’re considered to be from the middle and upper class you usually go to a private school in Cairo and also live there. While in college most people still live at home. So, the evil that is the “freshman 15” is virtually non-existent. Early on in my first 4

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semester here I was almost sure the “freshman 15” was a myth. I was actually losing weight. But I soon became comfortable with my schedule, the dorms and cafeterias, and I found myself prancing across the street to Holmes Hall to grab a late night meal. That was the beginning of the downward spiral to gaining an almost permanent 15 pounds. In comparison to what I was used to at home in Cairo, I was shocked at myself. There, I never used to have dinner. If I got hungry past sunset I would eat fruit, yogurt, salad or anything that was light and healthy. The idea of me eating a meal at night past 7 p.m. would have never crossed my mind before coming here. Now, I always need dinner. Breakfast, the most important meal of my

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day, has now been substituted by dinner. After gaining a fabulous 15 pounds, I didn’t really realize it when my clothes didn’t fit me. It was in the moments after I’d returned home and found people asking me questions like, “Have you gained weight?” Why would someone even ask me such a question if it’s so obvious that I’ve gained weight? Just for me to endorse their impeccable observation? First I was somewhat annoyed, but then I brushed it off and decided to think of the matter in a more positive way. After winter break, I made the decision to stop eating late at night. I can’t say that my efforts have now made me a new person, but I lost a few pounds and that made me feel better.

Unfortunately, my lovely system was shattered when I started working. For the most part I would be so busy during the day that I wouldn’t eat. Then, like the old days, I’d find myself eating late at night. This time I tried hard to make sure I at least ate something healthy and nutritious. This past summer I had a semi-epiphany. While I was in a hotel in India I decided I wanted to know how much I weighed. The number I saw gave me another shock. I was a little disappointed for a second, but came to realize that the number doesn’t really bother me. I sometimes mention it dramatically in a conversation about diets and food, but it’s only jokingly. I accepted that the issue is not how much I weigh, it’s the quality

of food and, moreover, the quality of life I lead. One of my friends recently made a very interesting observation while we were eating brunch. She realized that most of the time, when you see people playing basketball or volleyball outside, the group is mostly men. She realized that their ways to relax are active, as opposed to women, who often prefer to stay in and watch a movie. This is by no means a general rule, but it examines some behaviors around us, including our own. Good health is not defined by weight. Weight, like age, is only a number. Just make sure to lead a healthy lifestyle, and in the long run it will pay off. Nolly Dakroury is a State News reporter. Reach her at opinion@ statenews.com

Sports

Omari Sankofa II Sports editor sports@statenews.com @thesnews

Players to watch in volleyball ACC-Big Ten challenge

In senior season, Ryan Keener wants continued growth for MSU soccer

By Troy Jefferson sports@statenews.com

Senior defender Ryan Keener moves the ball down the field during the game against Florida International on Sunday at DeMartin Soccer Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans defeated the Panthers, 3-0. PHOTO: RAymond williams

No. 14 MSU (4-0) takes on No. 19 Duke (4-0) and No. 20 North Carolina (2-1) this weekend in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge at Jenison Field House. As part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, both Duke and UNC will play road games against MSU and Michigan. All three teams made the NCAA Tournament last year and return a combined 38 letterwinners. A lot of talent will be on display, and here are a few players on each team to watch on Friday and Saturday.

MSU Sophomore middle blocker/opposite hitter Allyssah Fitterer Fitterer won the MVP award at last week’s UAB/Samford Invitational. She was also named to the NCAA Lexington regional all-tournament team in 2013. Fitterer is averaging a team high 3.54 kills per set. Senior libero Kori Moster Moster is a two-time all-American player and the reigning Big Ten defensive player of

the year. The team co-captain was also selected to play with the USA Volleyball College National Team over the summer. Defensively, Moster leads the Spartans with 51 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Chloe Reinig Reinig was named to the Big Ten all-freshman team last year. Averaging 2.83 kills per set, the sophomore was named to the UAB/Samford All-Tournament team last week.

UNC Junior setter Jordyn Schnabl Schnabl played in every set and every match for UNC last year. Schnabl paired with Abigail Curry combine to form a ferocious one-two punch at the setter position. She leads the Tar Heels with 51 assists. J unior middle blocker Paige Neuenfeldt Neuenfeldt earned AVCA honorable mention all-America honors last year after playing in every match for the Tar Heels at middle blocker. The Michigan native is a former ACC freshman of the year and is averaging 1.25 kills per set.

Sophomore setter Abigail Curry Curry was named to the ACC all-freshman team last year and played in 32 of 33 matches. Curry’s 38 assists are good for second on the team.

Duke S e n i o r s e t te r M a g g i e Deichmeister Deichmeister was an AVCA all-America honorable mention last season. The senior setter directed an offense in 2013, which led the ACC in kills per set (14.87) and assists per set (13.83). Junior outside hitter Emily Sklar Last season, Sklar became the first sophomore in Duke history to win the ACC Player of the Year award. She averaged 3.89 kills per set and totaled 405 kills. In the Blue Devils last game, the junior had a career-best 22 kills against Campbell. Sophomore middle blocker Jordan Tucker Tucker was named to the ACC all-freshman team last season. The sophomore started in 32 of 33 matches last season, compiling a .308 hitting percentage. Tucker, like Emily Sklar, is coming off a double-double against Campbell.

YOUR PLACE TO WATCH

MONDAY NIGHT By Matthew Argillander sports@statenews.com

Before redshirt-senior defender Ryan Keener ever donned his MSU soccer uniform he was just a kid from Grand Blanc playing soccer for Grand Blanc High School. While at Grand Blanc he was a two-time First Team AllState player. In his senior season of high school as team captain he scored 15 goals and totaled 11 assists as a defender. Keener couldn’t tell you how he began playing soccer — just that it was way back in the day around the time when he turned six. It’s been his passion ever since. Looking for a legitimate chance to make an impact on the field whilst earning a degree from a well-known university, Ryan chose to attend MSU. “It was just a good fit, I was looking at a few different schools but Michigan State had everything I wanted,” Keener said. “As far as the ability to play and a program that’s really growing and on the way up

and I think we’re getting where we want to be now, also with academics I wanted somewhere where it was realistic for me to achieve academically without taking a BS major because you’re an athlete.” Ryan didn’t feel redshirting his freshman year to be the most glamorous of his options, but with the guidance of the older guys on the team he took it in stride, eventually becoming one of the guys he once looked up to. “I redshirted my freshman year, so that’s about as low as it goes as far as it goes when you first come in, its not cool to tell people you redshirted, nothing glamorous about that,” he said. “So I want to be remembered as someone who worked their way up and once they got there, they kept working.” Ryan considers his biggest accomplishment to be growing into the leader that he has become today. He can remember being a redshirt his first year and looking to the older guys for help. With all of his experience as a member of the team, Ryan

is proud to be one of those players that can make the younger guys better. “Being a leader and being a captain on the Michigan State soccer team, looking back to when I redshirted I came in looking at those senior guys and those older leader guys and it seems so far away, so to become one of those guys that I really looked up to. Hopefully I can have the same impact on the freshman as the older guys had on me.” Ryan is almost done with school now with only seven credits left to complete, but still has a lofty goal in mind before graduation. “I want a Big Ten championship,” said Kenner confidently. “Obviously a National Championship too, but everyone in the country says that. I really want a Big Ten championship we’ve had a couple shots at it, came close a couple times, won a (Big Ten) Tournament championship, but to win the league championship would really be special.”

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Spotlight

Anya Rath Managing editor campus@statenews.com @thesnews

Getting around campus doesn’t have to be complicated

By Anthony Herta and Cameron Macko campus@statenews.com

5,200 acres.

That’s the size of MSU’s campus, and getting around can sometimes be a daunting task. Some students pinch pennies and walk no matter what, even in heavy snowfall. Others invest in bikes and U-locks, bus passes or parking passes. And it’s not just going to class — after a night out on the town, it’s not always safe to get behind the wheel or walk home in the dark. Fortunately, students have plenty of options for navigating the vast landscape that is MSU. Rachel Brauer contributed to this report. A biker makes her way across campus Tuesday near Beaumont Tower. PHOTO: JULIA NAGY

Easy riders

ne popular means of transportation across MSU’s campus involves two wheels and is powered by a chain and old-fashioned foot power — biking, which can shorten most on-campus commutes to no more than 10 or 15 minutes. A new bike can range from $300-$400 at the MSU Bikes Services Center connected to Bessey Hall, while a used bike could range between $10 and $200, depending on the condition. If a student doesn’t want to own a bike, the center also rents them out, with prices ranging from $20 to $90 depending on the length of time ranging from one week to the entire semester. Biking provides students with the ability to leave on a moment’s notice. “The biggest thing that bikes have over buses is that you don’t have to wait,” mechanical engineering junior Zach Tuller said. ASMSU, MSU’s student government, is also exploring a bike-sharing initiative, sharing costs with the Office of Campus Sustainability. The original initiative passed by ASMSU last spring called for 40 rental bikes at 10 different

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locations on campus, but has been downsized to a smaller pilot program to feel out student interest, said ASMSU Vice President for Finance and Operations Greg Jackson. “It’s a very small pilot program, hosted by REHS at Bailey Hall,” Jackson said. “Students can check out bikes at the front desk. It’s low-tech right now, very simple. We want to feel out if this is something students want or not.” Soon, students will be able to sign a release and check out one of eight bikes at Bailey Hall, Jackson said. ASMSU hopes to get the program off the ground in the next two weeks. “If it gets a good response, we’ll upgrade the service and maybe spread it throughout campus next year,” Jackson said. Unsurprisingly, the busiest time for the Bikes Service Center is the beginning of the fall semester. As such it may take the center, which also repairs bikes for a charge depending on service time, upwards of two weeks to complete a repair. The center also provides free air for bike tires. “If (the students) don’t have a bike, they want to buy a bike, and if they have a bike it’s broken,”

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bike ETIQUETTE Riders should stay to the right and not pass on the left. Don’t go too fast, as it might be difficult to control bikes in crowds Be courteous on shared-use paths Make sure you have lights on the front and back of the bike, so cars and passersby can see you late at night Wear bright colors Use bike lanes whenever available to reduce traffic on sidewalks - Tim Potter, Bikes Service Center manager

Bikes Service Center manager Tim Potter said. While business does slow down during the winter months, the shop stays open to cater for yearround bikers. The center is run by MSU Bikes, a division of the MSU Office of Campus Sustainability, which promotes biking as a green alternative to less fuel-efficient means of transportation such as driving or riding the bus. MSU is also deemed a “Bicycle Friendly University” with a bronze award from the League of American Bicyclists. Many students wouldn’t mind walking, but some, like zoology junior Daniel Brothers, can’t help but acknowledge the time saved by biking. “I prefer walking, but I bike because I live off campus,” he said. “It’s like a 15 minute bike ride from (the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum) to my house, but walking it’s at least a half hour or more.” Safety, of course, is also key, Potter said. “Bicyclists should think of themselves more as a vehicle of the road and not a pedestrian,” Potter said.

Spotlight Taking a taxi

n the East Lansing area, there are 31 licensed taxicab companies to choose from. Traditionally, most MSU students have paid flat rates for cab rides. But that might be changing soon. The East Lansing City Council is considering implementing a meter service inside taxi cars. The meter would be similar to what is included in cabs in larger cities – a total cab fare determined by how far the car travels and how long during one trip. East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett said during a previous city council meeting that the choice of what qualifies as a meter would be left up to the taxi authority. “We want to require that technology be in our cabs but also leave it up to the authority so that they can figure out what is the list of appropriate

options,” Triplett said during the meeting. Another change in East Lansing cabs is seen in Uber, a new ride-sharing service currently running in Lansing and East Lansing, which allows drivers and riders to connect through a smartphone application. But Uber does not require drivers to have their cars marked or obtain an appropriate chauffeur’s license. Anyone could potentially become an Uber driver, which raises concerns among cab service owners. Owner of Clark’s Cab, LLC, John Clark said he has read cease and desist documents against Uber and other cities no longer allow the company to operate. “They’re brought in with open arms here, and that’s a slap in the face to (other cab driving companies),” Clark said.

M-Cab LLC (517) 894-3066 College Cab (517) 889-1131 Mid Michigan Transit (517) 391-0271 AAA Cab (517) 505-5527 Kash Cab (517) 402-2515 Payless Taxi (517) 803-4994

Finance and human biology junior Sona Kaur gets on the bus to go to class on Wednesday at the bus stop in front of Brody neighborhood. PHOTO: JESSALYN TAMEZ

Automobiles and buses

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To park on campus, a moped must be registered in person at the MSU Parking Office at 1120 Red Cedar Road.

BIKES in the ASMSU Bike Sharing Pilot Program

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efore getting behind the wheel and driving around campus, students must have 20 credit hours at MSU. As a result, freshmen typically aren’t able to have a car at school their first year. If a student doesn’t have a car but doesn’t want to brave the elements, hopping onto a CATA bus costs 60 cents per fare with student ID. Students can also purchase a semester bus pass for $50, a 31-Day card for $16 or a 10-Ride card for $6 at almost every Sparty’s location on campus or at the Student Book Store on Grand River Avenue. Buses can be essential for anyone who doesn’t own a car but may need to run errands outside of campus. Chances are, there’s a CATA bus route to any local business that might not be walking distance

$50 Price of a semester bus pass

away, said agribusiness management freshman Kexin Guo. “(Buses) are really convenient, and I can go everywhere I want, like downtown or around the school,” he said. Hate having to wait for the bus to arrive? Students can sign up for “Rider Alerts” on CATA’s website to be alerted via email and/ or text about temporary delays or detours. Texting a bus stop number to 76123 can provide information about when the bus will depart that specific stop.

BUILDINGS on MSU’s campus

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Rolling around campus

oology senior Mason Mallory is glad his classes are closer this year, so he can take his longboard to class. Biking is easier than longboarding, but Mallory said he enjoys the treks to class, even though they might be more dangerous for him than others. “You’re constantly on edge when you’re longboarding, especially when there’s a lot of students around. It’s easier to weave in between people when you’re on a longboard though ... and it’s easier to stop right away,” Mallory said. “Sometimes you just have to dive out of the way if you’re going to run into people. I think that’s how I fall the most.”

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“I prefer walking, but I bike because I live off campus. It’s like a 15-minute bike ride from (the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum) to my house.” Daniel Brothers, zoology junior

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Features

Emily Jenks Features editor features@statenews.com @thesnews

Framing posters keeps them safe from wear and tear, makes them easier to hang and helps posters look more professional. Inexpensive frames can be purchased at crafts supply stores.

Having a mirror on the wall makes a room look bigger and more decorative. They are also useful for getting ready in the morning. Other wall decorations, like headphones, break up the plain white space.

2 An entertainment system, including a TV, gaming system and speakers, are not necessary to have a nice dorm, but they are still fun to have. Finding deals on entertainment electronics is a great way to make a dorm feel like home.

4 Rugs and carpets are great for dorm rooms. Not only do they make a room look better, they are easy to clean and offer cushion in case something fragile is dropped.

Hospitality business sophomore Matt Kobayashi’s dorm room on Wednesday at Landon Hall. PHOTOS: JESSALYN TAMEZ

Personal space: decorating dorm rooms to make a home away from home Students come into their dorm rooms with only the bare essentials. But creating a personal environment can help newcomers acclimate to MSU

Figuring out how to set up a dorm can be challenging, to say the least. Trying to make a room equally presentable and functional can prove to be quite difficult for anyone who isn’t studying interior design, and it’s not like there’s a ton of space to work with. Hospitalit y business sophomore Matt Kobayashi said he recommends bringing a fan, investing in quality speakers and covering up as much of the walls as possible. “You can find insane deals on huge speakers on Craigslist all the time,” he said. “As far as decor, you can usually find posters on Amazon for cheap and most other things, like cool lights.” Kobayashi said that simple details make a room look better, like having framed posters rather

than taping them to the wall. “An easy way to make a poster look four times better is to frame it, and poster frames can be bought pretty cheaply at random art stores, such as Hobby Lobby,” he said. Elementary education sophomore Anna Mayotte recommended checking out the Union for poster sales. “If you’re more of a bohemian style, you could go to La Bodega because they have tapestries and stuff like that,” she said. Mayotte said she recommends the Student Book Store for Spartan-themed decor. Interdisciplinary studies junior Rachel Manssur said some of the best places to find things are where you would not normally look. “I think you can really look anywhere. I know personally my mom and I were looking at garage sales or any place you can be thrifty,” she said.

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BY leslie Hemenway lhemenway@statenews.com

The State N e ws

Hospitality business sophomore Matt Kobayashi poses for a portrait in his dorm room on Wednesday at Landon Hall.

“I think your dorm room is an important place for the students here because it’s like your home, it’s where you’re coming back to every single night.” Rachel Manssur, Interdisciplinary studies junior

Kobayashi also advises students to bunk their beds in order to save space. “Don’t be afraid to bunk, I have bunked both years and it has been the best move,” he said. Kobayashi said to move any belongings in after bunking beds. “The way the beds come set up in the dorm is usually not even close to the best way to set them up,” he said. Manssur said it’s important for students to personalize their rooms. “I think your dorm room is an important place for the students here because it’s like your home, where you’re coming back to every single night,” she said. “It’s important to make it your own and make it as homey as possible, whether it’s putting up a couple pictures or lighting because it can really brighten up your day if you want to just come home and relax.”

News Newly renovated Starbucks provides more seating

Graduate student Julia Yang prepares her beverage Wednesday, in the newly renovated Starbucks on Grand River Road and Stoddard Avenue. The store was renovated and re-opened on Aug. 8. Joel Sodeman, the store manager, said with the expansion, there is now 250 percent more seating with access to plugs for laptops and other electronic devices. “Everything is laptop friendly,” Sodeman said. Customers can expect to see new floors, windows, an additional patio and even a new brewing system called The Clover, which brews Starbucks Reserve Coffees one cup at a time. — ERIN HAMPTON

East Lansing city clerk faces summons over ballot initiative The local lawyer behind a petition to change the city attorney’s position has filed papers in court, after some of the signatures needed to put the measure on the November ballot were invalidated. By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán smartinez@statenews.com

East Lansing City Clerk Marie Wicks has received a court summons for allegedly invalidating 473 signatures of a petition submitted by residents earlier this year. East Lansing Citizens for a Public Servant City Attorney submitted the complaint for mandamus on Aug. 28 after receiving a notice the petition submitted on June 17 failed. A mandamus is placed by the plaintiff, asking the court to order a public official to perform a task that is required by law. The petition sought to place on the November ballot a measure that would require the city attorney be employed by the city, instead of the private law firms that are currently hired. Wicks returned the petition explaining the reasons why she invalidated some signatures on July 31, exactly 45 days after the petition was initially turned in.

The petition did not pass because it did not count with the minimum requirement of validated signatures — 1,322. East Lansing Citizens for a Public Servant City Attorney organizer Jeffrey Hank said that the lawsuit was the last resort after receiving no additional answer from Wicks. “We were forced to file a lawsuit to protect the democratic process,” Hank said. According to the complaint, 473 signatures were rejected because of a variety of reasons such as challenged residency, lack of an affidavit and indecipherable names. Hank said that students’ signatures were invalidated as well. “Ninety-one people used a different address and those people were mostly students,” Hank said. East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett said Wicks did the right thing by returning the petition with the invalidated signatures. “In this case, the city clerk did her job and

“Unfortunately what Mr. Hank’s lawsuit amounts to is requesting that the city clerk ignore her duty and the requirement of state law in reviewing his petition.” Nathan Triplett, East Lansing Mayor

Mr. Hank failed to do his,” Triplett said. “It is the petitioner’s job ... to bring the signatures.” Triplett said the 91 signatures Hank said were invalidated were counted toward the petition. “Unfortunately what Mr. Hank’s lawsuit amounts to is requesting that the city clerk ignore her duty and the requirement of state law in reviewing his petition,” Triplett said. But he said the lawsuit would involve changing the East Lansing city charter, which Triplett said is akin to a constitutional amendment. Hank is well known by Triplett and Circuit Court Judge Clinton Canady III. Triplett said Hank has sued the city before and Canady has been in charge of previous rulings. A show cause hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Ingham County Circuit Court. “I’m confident that the judge will rule in the clerk’s favor,” Triplett said. Wicks was not available for comment.

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Th e Stat e N e ws

News

E.L. contractors must offer benefits to domestic partners

T im e lin e

Jet’s Pizza robbery, assault A robbery in November left two MSU student employees hospitalized after an assault with a shotgun. — REBECCA RYAN N ov.

The East Lansing City Council approved an ordinance stating the city can’t hire contractors who don’t give benefits to domestic partners

smartinez@statenews.com

The City Council approved an ordinance on Tuesday that prohibits city contractors from discriminating against domestic partners when providing benefits. City code was amended to state the city is prohibited to hire any contractor that “discriminates against its employees ... by failing to provide employment benefits for employees with domestic partners” that they would provide to married couples. Mayor Pro Tem Diane Goddeeris said the ordinance is part of the city’s philosophy of non-discriminatory policies. “Having this (ordinance) and expanding it . . . for any businesses doing business with us is just a natural progression of how we feel and how we fill about our community,” Goddeeris said. She said the ordinance would protect future parts of the city’s workforce “East Lansing was a community that first stopped discrimination against students because we recognize it is an

important feature of our community to have students,” Goddeeris said. Goddeeris anticipated the city would start working with people that share the same philosophy.

The Lansing couple responsible for orchestrating a robbery at a Jet’s Pizza in November 2013, Domingo Vallejo and Tara Vallejo, were sentenced this week to 19.5 to 75 years and nine to 30 years in prison, respectively, according to the Lansing State Journal. Domingo Vallejo worked at the pizzeria.

Council approves ta xi authority The City Council also approved a municipal partnership agreement between the cities of East Lansing and Lansing for the creation of an authority to license and regulate taxicab companies. Councilmember Susan Woods said the authority would create a safe environment for riders. “It makes a cohesive, comprehensive regulation so that the wild west of Lansing does not get in or vise versa,” Woods said. Woods said the authority would give a forum for taxicab drivers to voice their concerns. Ride-sharing service Uber will be regulated by the same authority as the regular taxi companies.

Classified

Two MSU students, who are sisters, were closing the Jet’s Pizza, when two men robbed the store armed with a shotgun. Both women were beaten and sustained serious injuries requiring medical treatment. The other two robbers in the case were recruited by Vallejo and his wife to rob the pizzeria.

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To place an ad … By telephone (517) 432-3010 By e-mail advertising@statenews.com

Employment

CHILDCARE AIDES, Okemos Kids Club, p/t or f/t, M-F, hrs vary, $8.15/hr. If interested send cover letter, resume and availability to Linda at linda.arens@okemosschools.net

FALL OPENINGS $15.50 base-appt. flex sched. Apply today 517-333-1700 or workforstudents.com

OFFICE ASSISTANT Heat’n Sweep is a 38 year old retail business. We are seeking an office assistant who is positive & upbeat. P/t position. Many varied duties. Great hours, great wages and a fun place to work. Apply in person at Heat’n Sweep at 2041 W Grand River Ave in Okemos.

The JNL Child Development Center in Okemos is looking for both full and part time support staff to work with children from 6 weeks through 5 years old. Qualified applicants must have a passion for working with young children, an energetic, positive and playful personality and be available to work some or all weeknights until 7pm. Please send resume to cmurphy@cclc.com and we will contact qualified applicants for an interview.

CHILDCARE DIRECTOR, Okemos Kids Club, 30 hrs/ wk, $12/hr + benefits. BA in special or elementary education & certified in CPR & first aid req. If interested, send cover letter, resume and official transcripts to Linda at linda.arens@okemosschools.net CLARA’S RESTAURANT hiring all positions. Apply in person M-Th btwn 2-4. 637 E. Mi. Ave. COOKS/SERVERS needed. City Limits East now accepting apps for p/t cooks & servers. Apply in person or call 517-337-7000 DENTAL ASSISTANT/receptionist. Experience preferred. Will train. Call 517272-4000

HIRING COOKS and servers at Reno’s East Sports Bar. Apply in person, 1310 Abbot Road. LANDSCAPE FIRM seeks daytime help. Flex hours. Wage based on exp. 517663-2040. LOOKING FOR part time receptionists/part time porters at Bud Kouts Chevrolet. Apply in person 2801 E. Michigan Ave. 517 374 0900 LUNCHROOM MONITOR @ Glencairn Elementary. 11:15 am-1:15 pm M-F. $9.95/hr. Contact 517-2304519

PHONE SURVEYS, flexible hrs, up to $9.75/hr, East Michigan Ave location. 4828884. RETAIL SALES Clerk Delphi Glass p/t includes weekends. Apply @ 3380 E. Jolly Rd. 394-4685 or jobs@delphiglass.com

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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. Three positions available. Visit bgclansing.org for more info.

Apts. For Rent Immediate move in specials. Only a few 2 bdrm homes still available for fall. Huge living areas. Covered parking. 24 hour fitness and computer lab. Washer and dryer in every apt. Pet friendly. Call today! Some styles sold out for 2014. 517351-9400. Huntersridge townhomes.com.

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Jan. 28, 2014 Lansing resident Terrence Lamont Miller, 19, is arraigned. The second suspect, a 14-year-old Lansing male, was under the jurisdiction of the Ingham County Probate Court. April 8, 2014 The 14-year-old Lansing male is sentenced to a juvenile detention facility for an indefinite amount of time after pleading guilty in March to robbery charges. May 22, 2014 Miller pleads guilty to charges of armed robbery and weapons. June 18, 2014 Miller was sentenced to 2075 years in prison. Aug. 27, 2014 Domingo Vallejo and Tara Vallejo are sentenced in Ingham County Circuit Court. Domingo previously plead guilty to a gun charge and, along with his wife, conspiracy to commit an armed robbery. They are sentenced to

note to readers The State News screens ads for misleading or false claims but cannot guarantee any ad or claim. Please use caution when answering ads, especially when sending money.

Apts. For Rent

Houses For Rent

Services

LAKEVIEW APARTMENTS on bus route to MSU. 2 bdrm 1 1/2 bath. 2 bdrm starts at $585! Seconds walk to elementary school. Beautiful view to lrg private lake. 3 swimming pools. 517-339-3303.

2015 HOUSES. Licensed 3,4,5,6,7,8. Super Locations + Excellent Conditions! 517-490-3082

REGISTER NOW for ESL Classes. A+ English Language School is registering for fall classes for the foreign born adults who would like to improve in speaking, listening, writing and grammar. Classes meet Mon-Thurs from 9 am to noon and 12:30-3:30 pm and 5-8 pm Tues and Thurs. Fee for one semester: $250 for am classes and $125 for pm or eve. For more info or to register, come to the Wesley Foundation at 1120 S. Harrison Rd, EL, call (517) 337-8353 or email at gigi.saunders@okemosschools.net. Our website is at okemosschools.net/adulted or on Facebook!

LEASE NOW for Fall 2014. Get more of what you want! 1, 2, 3 + 4 bedroom apts and townhomes. New kitchens + baths. The CATA bus takes you right to LCC + MSU. Plenty of parking. 517-507-4172. College Towne Apartments.

KNOB HILL

By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

Nov. 6, 2013 The robbery and subsequent assault of two female MSU students occurred 10:40 p.m. Nov. 6, 2013, at the Jet’s Pizza, located at 3009 Vine Street. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen from the store.

AMAZING

1,2+3 Bdrms Available Now and Fall 2014 starting at $725 • Free Heat • Newly Remodeled Fitness Center & Clubhouse • Washers & Dryers Available • Dogs & Cats Welcome • Upgraded Kitchens Available • Carports Available

517-507-4185

AWESOME HOUSE, 251 Gunson. Lic. 2.$650 per person. No Pets,hot tub, a/c, w/d,big bbq, garage, 333-9595 HOUSE RENTAL. Near MSU. House is fully renovated. 1 bdrm. $750 per month plus util. 517-575-0166

Misc. For Sale 700 SCI-FI paperbacks. Law books-Michigan Reports volumes 1-482. Michigan Appeals Reports volumes 1-260. Price neg. Contact Steve at 989-9282881.

Automotive 1998 PORCHE Boxter. Dark blue. VGC. 45,000 miles. $8,750. Call Dennis at 517775-3094.

Level: 1

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO WEDNESDAY’S PUZZLE

9/4/14

Get the solutions at statenews.com/puzzles

Crossword

L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

Fall 2014 Tax Refund Room 307 Student Services Building Last Day for Refund: September 10th

Student ID Required Students who are registered as a full time student and paid The State News subscription fee for the current semester may receive a refund of that fee if they do not wish to support the student newspaper. Refunds will be paid during the first 10 days of classes at 435 E. Grand River.

R U O Y T GE ! N O Y T SPAR Pick up your poster this week at The state news!

Proof of payment of the fee and a photo ID must be presented. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Take a photo with your MSU Football Poster

ACROSS

1 Gusto 5 Reynolds Wrap maker 10 Reptile house attractions 14 __-Seltzer 15 Luxury hotel with a YouFirst rewards program 16 Nothing but 17 Keep one’s landlord happy 19 Cross the threshold 20 Tricky 21 Big name in dangerous stunts 22 Sierra follower, in the NATO alphabet 23 Box instruction 26 Not familiar with 29 Staff symbols 30 Part of Q.E.D. 31 __ Belt 34 Jan. honoree 37 Optional learning 40 Suffix with concert 41 “__ Fideles” 42 Back in the day 43 They may be counted 45 Golden number? 46 Usually not a good way to get married 51 Exposed 52 Film with talking bugs 53 NFL’s Jaguars, for short

56 “The Year of Magical Thinking” author Didion 57 “You listen to me,” and an instruction about what to look for in 17-, 23-, 37- and 46-Across 60 Qatari bigwig 61 Chicago’s __ Planetarium 62 Roughage source 63 Facetious nickname for a big guy 64 Gnocchi topping 65 Kan. neighbor

DOWN

1 Prepares, as leftovers 2 Mideast airline 3 Absolut rival 4 Bit of ink 5 Naproxen brand 6 “Two Women” Oscar winner 7 “Fool for You” Grammy winner Green 8 Have 9 PEI hours 10 “The African Queen” co-star 11 Under consideration 12 Straighten 13 Church council 18 Oct- minus one 22 “The Gondoliers” girl

23 Four-letter word 24 Rainbow __ 25 As a result 26 Fruity soda 27 Yeats’ home 28 Top-rated evening TV show of 1961-62 31 Turkey on rye, e.g. 32 Actress Witherspoon 33 Some badges 35 Centers of activity 36 Seat for a dummy 38 Relaxed 39 Ratted (on) 44 Literary award named for a writer 45 Dix et un 46 __ d’art 47 Wynonna’s mom 48 Cries 49 Commencement 50 In __: unborn 53 Sudden movement 54 __ Sea 55 Lawless character 57 Go out in the afternoon? 58 Keats poem 59 “The Leftovers” airer

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News Best credit cards for college students and their benefits

Capital One Secured MasterCard This card requires a security deposit rate as low as $49 for a $200 line of credit, with a relatively small $29 annual fee.

campus@statenews.com

Credit cards have helped many college students build their credit throughout their years of schooling. As a result, CardHub reviewed over 1,000 credit cards to form a list, compiling the best credit cards for college students. The following are some of the best cards, according to CardHub:

This card is one of the only secured cards on the market that has no annual fee. Plus, users get 1 point for every dollar they spend, which can be redeemed toward Harley-Davidson gift cards.

SunTrust Secured Credit Card BankAmericard for Students

BY amanda chodnicki

Harley-Davidson Secured Credit Card

Students wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be charged interest for the first 15 months. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no annual fee, and a 10.99 percent to 20.99 percent regular annual percentage interest rate.

BankAmericard Cash Rewards for Students Journey Student Rewards from Capital One Students get 1 percent cash back on all purchases, plus a 25 percent cash back bonus for paying the bill on time each month. There is a net 1.25 percent cash back for every dollar you spend and no annual fee

Students get 3 percent cash back on gas, 2 percent on groceries (up to $1,500 of combined net purchases in both categories), and 1 percent cash back on everything else. There is an online-exclusive $100 initial rewards bonus for spending $500 in first 90 days There is no annual fee.

RELIVE THE WIN

Order photos of your favorite Spartan Football moments

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For students planning to charge more than $325 per month, this secured card will more than pay for its $39 annual fee. Students can get extra cash by earning 1 percent cash back on all qualifying purchases, all of the time. They can also get 2 percent cash back on gas, grocery and drug-store purchases for first six months.