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he college kids, city residents like to say, don’t know enough. They’re only temporary, they shouldn’t be weighing in on the issues. One city official allegedly told him “he has no shot in hell” at capturing a city council seat, finishing the comment with a laugh and a smile. But Stephens, determined to pull an upset, got an extra kick out of it. An extra kick he probably didn't need.
MEET
AARON
“NO CHANCE IN HELL” STEPHENS PAGE 4
PHOTO BY MATT SCHMUCKER
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TOO MUCH PIZZA IN EAST LANSING?
NOTRE DAME VS. MSU PREVIEW
East Lansing has one pizza joint per square mile. But do local pizza businesses ever feel there’s too much of a good thing?
Find out everything you need to know about the football matchup between the 2-0 Spartans and 2-1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
COCKROACH SIGHTINGS IN RESIDENCE HALLS
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Students are bugging out after finding dorm bugs. PAGE 11
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Brigid Kennedy Campus editor campus@statenews.com
Students discuss decision - making, rankings’ role in choosing school BY MAXWELL EVANS MEVANS@STATENEWS.COM
Here’s a complicated notion: MSU is one of the top 80 schools in the world, while it only ranks 81st in the country. Welcome to the confusing, contradictory world of college rankings. Since each reviewer uses their own methods to determine their ranking, Times Higher Education assigned MSU its top-80 ranking for global reputation, while U.S. News and World Report listed MSU 81st nationally. MSU’s “Rankings and Recognitions” website alone lists 25 different ways the university fits in to various lists. This wide variation diminished the impact of rankings for freshman Micahya Barkley as she was selecting a school. The genetics major from Detroit said the bias and non-academic factors that go into rankings may sometimes mislead students and cause them to regret their college decision. “I don’t think rankings are the best because some people only go to schools because of their rankings,” Barkley said. “They get there and they’re not happy with the quality they actually see.” U.S. News and World Report, in its explanation as to why it puts these lists together, tries to prevent students from making their college choice based entirely on its subjective rankings. The organization, which has been publishing its Best Colleges rankings since 1983, “recommends that students gather information on colleges in a number of ways” including campus visits, guidance from their high school counselors and help
from parents. Finance junior Sven Adriaens agrees that first-hand opinions can solve many of the shortcomings Barkley alluded to, by “putting a face” to the calculations that go into rankings. “Probably the best way to go about it is to feature more of this kind of thing, an interview from the perspective of the students attending, what made them make their decision to go to school at the university,” Adriaens said. “Something more along those lines than a number just from someone that you don’t really know at all.” Some students feel that rankings try to quantify things that can sometimes be difficult to understand without personal experience. For instance, it’s tough to translate the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education’s assessment that MSU has the 11th-most-engaged student body into how a student will actually engage with the university when they attend. Media and information major Jacob Berney said his experience at MSU has helped him see the meaning behind many of the rankings he previously hadn’t thought about too much. “Once you finally get to a place, it’s like, ‘Oh, I guess this stuff kind of matters,’” Berney said. “You start seeing where placements are, where people are in different jobs. I guess that kind of factors in when you get there, at least for me, more than actually thinking about going beforehand.” Even though rankings don’t seem to be a clinching factor for many prospective students, MSU’s reputation still plays a significant role, even on a global scale. Creative writing senior Yisi Fan said during her college deci-
Media and information senior Jacob Berney poses for a portrait after an interview regarding MSU academic ratings on Sept. 14 near the Beaumont Tower. PHOTO: CARLY GERACI
sion process, the internet influenced her, but in a different way than just college rankings. She found some photos of campus on Google and heavily considered the online opinions of fellow Chinese Spartans. “In China, they have Chinese MSU students that recommend this school or write something about it,” Fan said. “I tried to Google some pictures. I found it’s really beautiful around (campus), so I just made this decision.”
MSU, Title IX office update RVSM policy BY MADISON O’CONNOR MOCONNOR@STATENEWS.COM
MSU’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct, or RVSM, policy was updated last month by MSU’s Title IX office. Changes to the RVSM policy ranged from editing for clarification to adding new appendices. The biggest changes to the policy include new sanction guidelines, clarifying the process and employee responsibilities, updating the appeal process and adding a new glossary with updated definitions. MSU’s Director of Title IX and ADA Compliance and Education Programs Jessica Norris said the changes were made by a team of people during the past few months. “Every year, we convene a multi-disciplinary team to review the policy and identify ways that we can continue to improve the policy and the procedures,” Norris said. “That includes representation from student governance, the Council of Graduate Students, faculty, staff and then the offices that are directly involved in administering different elements of the policy. So it’s a pretty sizable group of folks.” The group that made the changes to the RVSM written policy started meeting in the spring and continued meeting into the summer, Norris said. Many of the key changes made to the RVSM policy were in response to feedback from the community through focus groups and town halls. Norris said MSU’s Title IX office, the Office of Institutional Equity, or OIE, gathers feedback about individual student experiences. This feedback contributes to discussions about ways the procedures can be improved. The full RVSM policy can be found on the OIE website. The sections discussing mandatory reporting and employee intervention are two areas that have been updated, Norris said. “There’s always been consequences if someone fails to report,
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but we wanted to really spell that out and be clear,” she said. “We also clarified in the policy expectations for employee intervention when they’re witnessing an unfolding or ongoing incident, so an expectation that they would call 911 and get help. We wanted to make sure that was explicitly clear.” The updated policy follows a year of controversy surrounding ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar, who has been accused by more than 100 women and girls of abusing them under the guise of medical treatment. One of the major points of discussion over the past year was the role mandatory reporting had in the controversy. Norris said a new appendix was created to detail sanction guidelines, and it includes added information to explain how the sanction panel is selected and trained. “There’s actually two appendices relating to that. One is aimed at students and one is aimed at employees. We essentially drafted a document to explain how our sanction panels and appeal officers are determining sanctions so that’s clear to the community,” Norris said. One of the options students have during the OIE investigation process is to appeal a sanction. Although the student conduct sanction and appeals process hasn’t changed, the RVSM written policy now includes a flowchart to depict how a student can navigate that process, Norris said. Another major change was the creation of a glossary of terms. Previously, the terms would be defined throughout the policy, Norris said. The policy will continue to be updated from year to year, Norris said. “I do encourage people to go out there and take a look at the policies so they understand what their rights are, what the university’s expectations are, and they’re familiar with how the process works,” she said. “I think it’s very important for everyone in our community to be aware of that.”
Contents
McKenna Ross Managing editor feedback@statenews.com
ONLINE AT STATENEWS.COM
ASMSU hosts E.L. City Council debate
Campaign reaches fundraising goal
The State News Sports Podcast
The candidates debated income tax and the upcoming election.
Empower Extraordinary campaign reaches $1.5 million goal.
Football reporter Souichi Terada and Sports editor Sam Metry preview Notre Dame match up.
BY T H E N U M B E R S A P P R OX I M AT E LY
6,000 Average number of slices of pizza Americans eat in their lifetime See page 6
“What’s interesting about city council elections is so few people vote that anything can happen. If only 2,000 people vote, anybody can win. So, I don’t think of it as a forgone conclusion at all.” Ruth Beier Mayor Pro Tem PAGES 4-5
MSU opens research center, DeVos speaks BY STEPHEN OLSCHANSKI SOLSCHANSKI@STATENEWS.COM
GRAND RAPIDS — MSU opened its $88.1 million Grand Rapids Research Center on Sept. 20, completing a years-long process to bring a state of the art research facility to the area’s Medical Mile. The ribbon-cutting ceremony has been politicized in recent weeks by the decision to invite U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to speak at the ceremony, drawing criticism and a petition from the researchers associated with the building. Dr. Caryl Sortwell, associate chair of the Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, was stunned to learn of her invitation in late August. She said DeVos was the antithesis of what the building and the university stands for Sortwell created the aforementioned petition and called on the university to rescind DeVos’ invitation. A smattering of protesters and counter-pro-
testers lined the street outside the building but didn’t disrupt the proceedings, which largely focused on the building. DeVos noted the protesters during her brief remarks. She jokingly said they must be there because of her relatives who attended the University of Michigan. But DeVos didn’t dwell, instead noting MSU’s advancement in medical research. “This new medical research center is a testament to the importance of research in a university’s pursuit of truth,” DeVos said. “It’s about the process of testing ideas and questions and preparing students to tackle real world challenges.” While DeVos’ speech primarily praised MSU, she also remarked on her possible plans as secretary of education. DeVos noted the importance of teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields early and the role of science in early education. READ MORE AT STATENEWS.COM
Red-shirt sophomore defender Luke Menne (24) carries the Big Bear Trophy off of the field after the game against the University of Michigan on Sept. 17 at U-M Soccer Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 1-0. PHOTO: JON FAMUREWA
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RELIGIOUS GUIDE Spotlight Look for this directory in the paper every Thursday and online at: www.statenews.com/religious All Saints Episcopal Church 800 Abbot Road East Lansing, Michigan 48823 Phone: (517) 351-7160 E-mail: allsaints@allsaints-el.org Website: http://www.allsaints-el.org Worship Times: Sunday Worship: 8 am & 10 am Sunday School: 10 am Sunday Vespers: 5 pm Thursday Prayer & Breakfast: 7:30 am Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd., E. Lansing Between Hagadorn & Park Lake Rds. (517) 337-9703 Adult Bible Study: 9am Sunday School: 9am Worship Service: 10am
Maundy Thurs, April 13 7:00pm Good Friday 1:00 & 7:00pm Easter Breakfast with egg hunt 9am Easter Service 10:00am ascensioneastlansing.org
Chabad House of MSU 540 Elizabeth St. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 214-0525 chabadmsu.com Prayer services, Friday night services, followed by a traditional Shabbat dinner @ Chabad. Shabbat Day Services 10:00am @ Chabad, followed by a Traditional Shabbat lunch @ 12:15pm. For weekday services & classes call 517-214-0525. Eastminster Presbyterian Church 1315 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI, 48823 (517) 337-0893 www.eastminsterchurch.org Worship Gatherings: Sunday Worship 10:30 am UKirk Presbyterian Campus Ministry Wednesdays at 7pm www.ukirkmsu.org Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI (Meeting at the University Christian Church building) (517) 898-3600 Students welcome! Sunday Worship: 8:45am Sunday Bible class: 10:15am Sunday Evening: Small Group Wednesday: 7pm - bible study Students please feel free to
call for rides http://www.greaterlansingcoc.org Haslett Community Church 1427 Haslett Road Haslett, MI 48840 Phone: (517) 339-8383 Worship Hours: Sunday Worship at 10:00am www.haslettcommunitychurch.org
Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St., E. Lansing (517) 332-1916 Friday Night Services: 6pm, Dinner: 7pm September - April
stjohnmsu.org Sunday: 8am, 10am, Noon, 5pm, 7pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:15pm Tuesday & Thursday: 9:15pm
Trinity Church 3355 Dunckel Rd. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-3820 Saturday: 6pm Sunday: 9:15am, 11am trinitywired.com University Baptist Church 4608 South Hagadorn Rd East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4144 www.ubcel.org 10 AM Worship Service 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 Sunday School
River Terrace Church 1509 River Terrace Dr. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-9059 www.riverterrace.org Service times: 9 & 11:15am
University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-5193 universitychristianwired.com Sunday: 11:15 am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15am
St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C. Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 337-9778
Senior fights for city council seat
The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 Islam 101 May 7, 2:30 p.m Friday Services: 12:15-12:45 & 1:45-2:15 For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/
Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-0778 martinlutherchapel.org Sunday: 9:30am & 7:00pm Wednesday Worship: 9pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring)
Riverview Church MSU Venue MSU Union Ballroom 2nd Floor 49 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824 Phone: 517-694-3400 Website: rivchurch.com Worship Times: Sundays at 6:30PM during the MSU Fall and Spring semesters
McKenna Ross Managing editor mross@statenews.com
University United Methodist Church & MSU Wesley 1120 S. Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-7030 universitychurchhome.org msuwesley.org Sunday: 10:30am 9:00am Garden Service in the summer TGIT: 8:00pm Thursdays Sept. - April WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbot Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 580-3744 www.msu.edu/~welsluth 6:30pm Saturday Worship
Religious Organizations: Don’t be left out of the Religious Directory! Call 517-295-1680 today to speak with an Account Executive
Aaron Stephens and his two campaign managers, Undra Brown, left, and Emilee Nazareth, right, pose on Sept. 13, at his house on Kedzie Street. Stephens is running for East Lansing City Council. PHOTO: MATT SCHMUCKER BY STEPHEN OLSCHANSKI SOLCHANSKI@STATENEWS.COM
“Political newcomer” seems to be an unfavorable description for Aaron Stephens, though it is appropriate in all technicality. It’s what they label you the first time you run for public office even if your whole life has centered around politicking. Stephens, despite his immersion in all things politics, is still a political science pre-law senior running for a spot on East Lansing City Council. The vantage point most of the voting public has, he’s a kid. Just 21 and fighting for a spot in one the state’s most politically active cities. For unthinking minds and the incumbents sitting in a chummy position, it would seem easy to write him off. The college kids, city residents like to say, don’t know enough. They’re only temporary, they shouldn’t be weighing in on the issues. One city official allegedly told him “he has no shot in hell” at capturing a seat, finishing the comment with a laugh and a smile. But Stephens, determined to pull an upset, got an extra kick out of it. An extra kick he probably didn’t need. His bookshelves are lined with copies of political science books, neatly kept and well worn from what appears to be hours of meticulous attention to the contents. Campaign signs from his time working for 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton accent the shelves. He brought Bernie Sanders, a democratic presidential primary candidate, to a packed Breslin Center. He poured hours into securing him — even sending his people to Vermont to coax Sanders to come. He blurs the line between the blindness of youthful hope and cynicism of a well-weathered politician. He’s seamless with words and his relation to strangers who open their doors to him is as fluid as if he’s sat on their porch for years. He won an endorsement from Rep. Sam Singh (D-69th) who, at 24 years old, landed a spot on the East Lansing City Council and stayed there. For 12 years. 4
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Singh served as mayor, too, before joining Michigan’s House of Representatives where he is now the House minority leader. Tom Perez, head of the Democratic National Committee, praised Stephens openly. In the twilight hours before the most important health care legislation vote in recent memory, Stephens spoke at the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to more than a thousand people. And in a three person race for two seats, it might take a twilight push for him to capture one. But perhaps not. No chance in hell? Place your bets. The start Aaron Stephens’ headquarters, the typical college rental house built decades before he was born, finds itself as the site of a potential flashpoint in East Lansing politics. There were beds blocking the windows here not too long ago, shielding the police from seeing the parties thrown in it before Stephens and his campaign arrived. It’s clean now. Beds removed. Light to pierces the walls. It’s the same unabated light that Stephens is after, one that will pierce what he sees as a growing gap between the community and the university. “Let’s put it this way, the city right now and the university have always been at odds,” Stephens told a young couple while campaigning. “And that’s a relationship I’ve never understood, really.” It’s an odd relationship to try to crack. East Lansing does not exist without MSU planting its roots in the area — the city was nearly named Collegeville and its first neighborhoods were plotted by an MSU professor. But yet the city has formed its own independence, operating with nearly 50,000 permanent residents. And somewhere along that line where mutual dependence shrank, development charged ahead and independence became unavoidable, the relationship muddied. It has reached the point of a very public and frank fight over an income tax the city charges it needs to address financial woes. MSU says any income tax would disproportionately affect students and faculty. And Stephens wants to fix it. T H U R S DAY, S E PTE M B E R 2 1 , 2 01 7
Spotlight He’s running on three main platforms: Addressing the city’s economic and development future, pushing the city to 100 percent renewable energy and bridging the gap between the university, police and businesses. But first, the small steps. It's July 16 and gathered in the tiny living room of Stephens’ campaign home is a band of campaign associates and friends not much younger or older than Stephens himself. They’re friends with a strong belief in Stephens and his ideals. They aren’t political operatives — not many are versed in politics. But it’s what he has. He runs them through a formal training, what to expect, what to hammer home when a door opens. And he’ll be joining them too, traversing nearly every East Lansing neighborhood to get his name out there. “I have a rule that nobody that works for me ever will do anything that I won’t do myself,” Stephens said. “I hate that, that original internship aspect where you go get coffee, that’s not going to make anybody learn.” And he’ll do it, nearly every day for the rest of the summer. Stephens walks up Kedzie Street, a stack of campaign fliers in one hand and a tablet, loaded with voter data, in the other. The literature fresh out of boxes for the kickoff of Stephens campaign is what he’s concerned with today. It’s the calling card, his first impression to a contingent of voters who barely know who he is. “Even if they throw out my literature just like immediately after, they’ll still see my name,” Stephens jokes as he approaches the first houses on his list. The first few houses no one answers. But as the day continues, the first one to answer is a woman named Paula. “I’m running for East Lansing City Council and I actually just wanted to stop by give you some literature and maybe ask you a couple questions if you have the minute,” Stephens says. She answers warmly, intrigued by him. “So what do you want to see out of your city?” Stephens asks. And he’ll do this countless times, at every door that opens up to him, because it matters to him. Some of those he meets will launch into a political diatribe, others will mention something as small as tree cutting or as large as taxes. Some will question him back but he never appears fazed. “Everybody is talking about development, everybody is talking about the income tax, this woman is just like, ‘You know I want my kids to have shade when they play in the park,” Stephens says. “That’s what is important about knocking doors.” Most will mention his student status but none seem to ponder it. At least not for long. “We were expecting a lot of backlash,” Stephens said on the topic. “But truthfully, I think people are very happy that a younger person is trying to get involved.” Against the odds “I’m sort of surprised that he’s running since he’s still enrolled as a student,” East Lansing City Councilmember Susan Woods said in an interview with The State News. “That’s a lot of commitment if he was elected but we are open to anybody who can run so I think it will be interesting.” Woods has served on council for the last four years and is one of two incumbents Stephens is up against, Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Beier being the other. “Incumbents have an almost an enormous advantage,” Woods said. “We’re recognized names, both Ruth and I have worked there for
McKenna Ross Managing editor mross@statenews.com
four years.” Stephens’ youth may seem like a detriment. His campaign may even seem like just another ill-fated run by a young person, started with the best of intentions but destined to die before the election even gets advertised. But the more the doors opened up, the more it seemed Stephens was no longer lurking in the shadows. A heightened confidence began to emerge over the last two months. “What’s interesting about city council elections is so few people vote that anything can happen,” Beier said. “If only 2,000 people vote, anybody can win. So, I don’t think of it as a forgone conclusion at all.” Both Beier and Woods pointed to the student aspect, mentioning that student voter turnout is low, especially in council elections. If Stephens is relying on the student vote, he is sure to lose, they argue. “This is just total surmise, I haven't spoken to him about it but I think he just wants to have a platform to talk about certain things,” Woods said. “He’s involved in sort of political campaigns, political life so this just one way to extend that.” Neither Beier nor Woods were really sure what Stephens’ positions were. But while neither may be particularly concerned with Stephens, a prominent former councilmember saw something in him enough to endorse him. It’s Sept. 5 and Stephens stands behind the pool table he and his housemates recently put in. It’s two months and two days until election. “Sam Singh endorsed me,” Stephens says with a smile. It’s no small thing for a prominent state and local politician to endorse him. The endorsement had been in the works for weeks and was made official on Sept. 12. “I met Aaron two years ago during the beginning of his college career, and got the opportunity to work with him during Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president,” Singh said in a press release. “He is a bright, fresh voice and after hearing his plan for our city, I am proud to endorse him for East Lansing City Council.” Singh’s endorsement injects a level a legitimacy into Stephens’ campaign bid even if Stephens were to lose. The endorsement sets him up for future runs. Stephens won’t be want for anything. For now, Singh becomes a plentiful resource of knowledge on East Lansing. “His perspective is going to be vital in doing absolutely everything that I want to do for this city and making it a better place,” Stephens said. “He devoted a good amount of his life to doing the exact same thing. To have his support and to have his overall presence be a part of my overall campaign is very meaningful.” Just maybe It's August now and Stephens has been to hundreds of doors but there is a particular door this day which sticks. An older woman is tending to her landscaping, an intertwined mix of flowers and shrubbery. As Stephens hands her his literature she makes the point of noting she voted for President Donald Trump. “I voted for him because he said things I’ve always wanted to say but never saw a politician doing it,” she says. She notes Stephens’ former employment with Bernie Sanders. But the two hit it off, perhaps more than at any other door. They discuss California, crack jokes about marriage amid bouncing around about national policy issues. “National politics aside, I think that we would agree on a lot of city issues,” Stephens says, which launches a discussion on city
One of Aaron Stephens’ campaign managers, political science sophomore Emilee Nazareth, writes some notes on a whiteboard on Sept. 13, at his house on Kedzie Street. Stephens is running for East Lansing City Council. PHOTO: MATT SCHMUCKER
financial woes. There’s a smoothness to the way Stephens meshes with the potential voters almost as if it's been ingrained in him, finally manifesting itself as he tries to secure his biggest victory up to this point. His goals are there in front of him, begging to be captured, but he’s stuck in a waiting game. If past is precedent, city council election turnout will be slim and no more than 200
students will vote. Perhaps he’s playing a game he cannot win, a game which could tease him to the bitter end. But the fighters in politics know and have always known, one election, one campaign does not make a career. “My entire life is going to be devoted to trying to fight for the things I believe in and just fighting for people who might not be able to fight for themselves,” Stephens said. No chance in hell? Only hell knows.
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Riley Murdock City editor city@statenews.com
Too much pizza in East Lansing? Local eateries discuss BY SIMONE FENZI SFENZI@STATENEWS.COM
Americans devour on average 6,000 slices of pizza in their lifetime. This number does not come as a surprise, considering that in 2014 alone the pizza industry sold over $38 billion worth of pizzas. In the state of Michigan, there are slightly more than two pizza stores for every 10,000 people. The City of East Lansing surpasses that line with 16 pizza restaurants alone. That’s one pizza restaurant for every square mile in East Lansing. As interesting as this statistic is, it may be explained by the fact that East Lansing is a college town, and it’s fair to say college students have a very close relationship with pizza. A 2014 U.S. Department of Agriculture study found that 13 percent of the population in the college age group eats pizza on any given day. Given the demand and competition in East Lansing, is it feasible for all these restaurants to survive? With the closure of GoombaS Pizza in May, some might wonder if the pizza market in East Lansing is saturated. Even though the reported reason for GoombaS’ closure had nothing to do with business, the number of pizza stores in East Lansing has definitely increased in the past three years. But has this impacted the amount of business individual restaurants do? Jenny Brousseau has been a manager at Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza for over a year. Despite only being open since March, Blaze has already built a decent following among the MSU community. “You can definitely tell that business has picked
up since the new students have come on back,” Brousseau said. With business doing well, Brousseau is not worried about competition. She believes that their pizza is what makes people want to come back. “We don’t charge you for toppings, it is not like an unnamed source down the road where they charge you after five toppings on a build your own,” she said. Demand is also something that doesn’t scare Brousseau. She believes that demand is present, but not just because East Lansing is a college town. She believes that there is demand for pizza everywhere. “I really honestly think that no matter where you go, there is always a high demand for pizza,” Brousseau said. As new pizza restaurants open, one can only think of how East Lansing’s staple pizza shops are reacting. Bell’s Greek Pizza has been around for 18 years, owner Habib Jarwan said. Jarwan admits that business has been growing despite many other competing pizza places. Jarwan attributes this growth to one principle: customer service. “Of course we treat costumers good, we serve good food, we keep our name out there,” Jarwan said. “This is how we do it.” As someone who has been in the business for almost two decades, Jarwan has his focus set on longevity. He still works on the phones to ensure that customers know his voice and treats his employees like family, he said. As far as competition, Jarwan is not too concerned. “No, I don’t worry about the competition, I
worry about what I do,” Jarwan said. “I like the competition to succeed too.” Marty Seshul is the co-manager of the Grand River Avenue location of Little Caesar’s Pizza. He has spent the past five years with t h is locat ion and has seen c ha nge s hap pening around the city. Despite new openings, Seshul says business is still going strong. “It ’s de f i n ite ly increased over the past few years,” he said. As a store that has been around longer than some others, Little Caesar’s Pizza has added updates to keep with recent times. “We are putting some new systems in place so it’s kind of a new electronic system here that we have as far as tracking our orders,” Seshul said. Seshul believes that the demand for pizza has increased in past few years and that their customer loyalty has made a big difference.
13% percentage of Americans age 20-39 that eat pizza any given day
When explaining why people choose Little Caesar’s, he said the store offers the lowest price in the area for the best quality. With college students being the second-highest age category for pizza consumption, it is safe to say the East Lansing’s pizza scene will not disappear anytime soon.
PIZZA FACTS The first 50 students that come in September can visit the manager’s table and show your student ID and receive an aluminum water bottle!
Thursdays 3:00–7:00PM year round Summer Location: James Couzens Park
16 6,000 $38
is the number of pizza places in East Lansing, three more than there are square miles in the city
billion worth of pizza sold in the United States in 2014
Winter Location: Bath Community Center
average number of slices of pizza Americans eat in their lifetime
GRAPHICS: ALEXEA HANKIN DATA: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
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Riley Murdock City editor city@statenews.com
Three frats revoked, shut down BY MARIE WEIDMAYER MWEIDMAYER@STATENEWS.COM
The MSU chapters of the Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternities have had their charters revoked by their national headquarters. On March 28, 2017, MSU’s chapter of Lambda Chi was officially shut down, Director of Communications and IT for Lambda Chi Alpha Inc. Tad Lichtenauer said. “There were about 40 members that resigned last spring and we closed them,� Lichtenauer said. The fraternity had repeatedly violated the laws and policies set by the national chapter, Lichtenauer said. In February, the chapter was placed on limited operations by the national chapter and suspended by MSU’s Interfraternity Council. A member of Lambda Chi allegedly committed a sexual assault and was under a Title IX investigation through the Office of Institutional Equity. It was an order from the Board of Directors for Lambda Chi Alpha that revoked the charter, Lichtenauer said. At some point Lambda Chi would like to return to MSU’s campus, but
there is no timeline for a return. The Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter at MSU has also had its charter revoked, Strategic Communications Director Andrew Parrish said in an email. MSU’s chapter was told its charter was revoked on Aug. 15. “Since 2012, chapter members have consistently refused to align with the mission and purpose of our Fraternity,� Parrish said. “The chapter’s violations have demonstrated a consistent desire to perpetuate an experience rooted in alcohol, drug use and hazing. When this is the case, despite previous accountability measures and staff support, the National Board of Directors has a responsibility to act to protect our members, the campus community, the Fraternity and its relationship with the host institution.� Sigma Phi Epsilon will return to campus in the future, but there is no date set, Parrish said. Another fraternity chapter, Sigma Chi, also had its charter suspended on June 28 for hazing and alcohol management issues. All three were members of the MSU Interfraternity Council, which is a governing body for fraternities, according to its website.
ELPD plans for party influx BY HONDA CARTER HCARTER@STATENEWS.COM
It’s a Friday night, fall courses resume on Monday and you just need a little fun before crunch time begins. But as you enter the party and start your normal shenanigans, you see the flickering of bright red and blue lights through the window. The police, again. Welcome week at MSU has always been eventful during the day but at night, things get a little crazy and the East Lansing police have instances where they must step in and calm down situations. East Lansing Police Department Interim Captain Steve Gonzalez said their department staffs up every year for the increase of parties and social activity throughout neighborhoods during the fall welcome week. Agricultural industries sophomore Matthew Acmoody said he was at a party a couple of days ago and undercover cops showed up because there was open alcohol, but they weren’t in much trouble after police realized they were of age. Lance Davenport, a fraternity brother at FarmHouse, said welcome week parties are something they have every year and some do get shut down by the police when things get out of hand. “We do have several more officers working throughout the various times of the day to address the increase call load that we see,� Gonzalez said. Gonzalez said for the most part their staffing numbers remain the same year-to-year during the welcome period, but there have been more police officers on bike patrol this year than in the past. Although this period of the semester gets a little hectic for officers in East Lansing, Gonzalez said this is certainly not the busiest time of the year for them.
FRATERNITIES WHO LOST THEIR LETTERS
LAMBDA CHI ALPHA
SIGMA CHI
SIGMA PHI EPSILON
GRAPHIC: ALEXEA HANKIN
REPID REPID
Research Education Program to Increase Diversity in Health Researchers
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Research Education Program to Increase Diversity in Health Researchers
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
“When U-M is in town and there’s a home football U-M game that will certainly be our MSU Department of Medicine offers National busiest day of the year, without a doubt,â€? he Institute of Health (NIH) funded research said. According to Gonzalez, the Western Michischolarship for MSU undergraduate & health gan and MSU home football game was a pretty busy weekend for the department. Institute of professional Health (NIH) funded research scholarship students. “There were a lot of people in town that for MSU undergraduate & health professional students. came to the football game and then the weathInstitute of Health (NIH) funded research scholarship er was nice as well,â€? he said. forfalls MSU undergraduate health professional students. tStudents must be&from anmust underrepresented, Gonzalez said their busiest days some•Students be from minority, an where in the football season, depending on or thedisadvantaged backgrounds with interest in biomedical and underrespresented minority or tStudents must be from an underrepresented, minority, schedule. health related research. The department sees a lot of both house and or disadvantaged backgrounds with interestbackgrounds in biomedical and disadvantaged Greek organization parties in thehealth East Lansing related research. tResearch Training Componets: with interest in biomedical and area, and it’s pretty well evenly distributed t4Qring term biomedical research training course throughout the neighborhood, according to health related research. tResearch Training Componets: Gonzalez. t4VNNFS IBOET-on research experience •Research Training Components: biomedical research training course On a typical night that an officer gets a t4Qring term t0QQPrtunity to attend a biomedical conference t4VNNFS IBOET-on research experience phone call concerning party complaints, the -Spring term biomedical first thing the officer looks at is the noise tFinancial Support: t0QQPrtunity toresearch attend a biomedical conference training course ordinance, and determines whether or not the tPartial tuition, stipend, room/board & travel tFinancial Support: noise is coming from that property and the -Summer hands-on research distance it can be heard. tPartial tuition, stipend, room/board & travel experience Gonzalez said the officer will take in the circumstances of underage drinking, open alcoTo apply: visit -Opportunity REPID website: to attend a hol in public, or disorderly conduct violations biomedical conference To apply: visit REPID website: that may occur and make a decision to take enforcement or simply give a warning. •Financial Support Gonzalez’ advice to the hosts of parties is to keep alcohol and the number of people on -Partial tuition, stipend, room/board & travel your property under control. “We’ve been to parties with several hundred people stuffed into the house and then they end up (on the) front yard, back yard, side yards,â€? Gonzalez said. TO APPLY: visit REPID website “Those types of parties are certainly going to draw attention of the neighbors which generates a phone call to the police or it’s going to generate some attention to an officer that just happens to drive by on regular patrol.â€? Gonzalez said they encourage people to have fun but to do it in a safe and responsible 517.432.8653 • repid@msu.edu • www.repid.msu.edu manner.
www.repid.msu.edu www.repid.msu.edu Application Deadline: October 15 Application Deadline: October 15 QI t FNBJM repid@msu FEV t web: www.repid.msu.e QI t FNBJM repid@msu FEV t web: www.repid.msu.edu
www.repid.msu.edu
APPLICATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15
T H U RS DAY, S E P T E MB E R 2 1 , 2 01 7
@ T H E S NE WS
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Sports
Sam Metry Sports editor sports@statenews.com
Barone brothers ready to live up to, and surpass, family soccer legacy BY JONATHAN LEBLANC JLEBLANC@STATENEWS.COM
The Brady Bunch lived in a four bedroom, two bathroom house in Los Angeles for five seasons in the early 1970s. While the Barone family may not have six fictional children and a major television network to show the ins and outs of their entire life, they do have four children that have all made it to one place: MSU soccer. Mark, Domenic, Hunter and Giuseppe Barone have all gone, or are going through, the MSU men’s soccer program. Head coach Damon Rensing has coached all four brothers, starting with twins Mark and Domenic back in 2008 when Rensing was just an assistant coach to former head coach Joe Baum. Rensing not only coached all four of them, but recruited them. Rensing said when he and Baum looked at the Barone twins, Mark and Domenic, they saw something in both that would make them assets to the Spartan program. “We both realized that these guys were very passionate about soccer and they had a talent to score goals and win games,” Rensing said. Rensing said when he recruited Giuseppe and Hunter, it was mostly based on their talent. However having two previous brothers did help speed up the recruiting process. Rensing said by talking to Domenic and Mark, Giuseppe and Hunter knew what MSU soccer was all about under his tutelage. “They knew about the family atmosphere, they knew they could come to Michigan State and play in a very competitive environment, they knew what I was like as a coach, both my strengths and weaknesses,” Rensing said. “They
were more prepared to kind of come in and deal with it.” Giuseppe said going to all of Mark and Domenic’s games growing up made choosing MSU a lot easier. However, Hunter said he and Giuseppe didn’t necessarily want to be a part of the Spartan program like Mark and Domenic growing up. “Everyone would always compare us to (Mark and Domenic) when we were younger,” Hunter said. “If we saw anybody in the soccer community, they would be like, ‘Oh, are you going to be better than your brothers?’” Hunter said that all changed when he and Giuseppe started to get older. “We realized how much we loved the school, how cool it would be for our whole family to go there and it’s so close to home and everything,” Hunter said. “We kind of just fell in love with it once we got older.” Rensing said the Barone family is close, which makes for some competitiveness between the brothers off the field and with other teams on the field. Their personalities on and off the field are what separates them. “A lot of guys tell me I’m the ‘laid back’ one,” Giuseppe said. “(Hunter) is more protective of me on the field and stuff like that, which I respect him a lot for.” Hunter said protecting Giuseppe, or any teammate for that matter, is something that’s just part of his more emotional nature. “The fact that Giuseppe is my little brother and he’s the youngest one out of all of us, I’ve always felt protective over him,” Hunter said. “Obviously I know he can hold his own, but I don’t feel like I need to, it’s kind of like an instinct.” Rensing said Giuseppe and Hunter are mir-
CAMPUS CENTER CINEMAS proudly presents
September 21–24 Beauty and the Beast Thurs •9:00 pm Conrad Aud Fri •7:00 & 9:15 pm 115B Wells Hall Sun •9:00 pm Wilson Aud
The Mummy Thurs •7:00 pm Conrad Aud Fri •7:00 & 9:00 pm 117B Wells Hall Sun •7:00 pm Wilson Aud
8
Aliens Covenant Thurs •9:00 pm Wilson Aud
ror images of Mark and Domenic, in terms of Hunter and Giuseppe being more “even keeled” and Domenic and Hunter are a little more “passionate.” Hunter admittedly said he “100 percent” agrees with Rensing’s assessment of the similarities between the four brothers. “I think we’re all pretty emotional people, especially on the soccer field, but I think Mark and Giuseppe do a better job of not showing it, where me and Domenic have a hard time not showing (emotion),” Hunter said. “I think we’re all pretty even, but I think me and Domenic show it more.” But even with the similarities between the pairs of brothers, Rensing said they’re all their own unique person. “Me and (Giuseppe) have always been best friends,” Hunter said. “With my older brothers being twins, they were always kind of together, and me and Giuseppe we’re only almost two years apart, so it’s kind of like me and him are
basically twins.” Giuseppe said it also means a lot to the entire Barone family, especially since they only live about an hour away in Grandville, Michigan and support the two brothers whenever they can. “That’s really what pushed us to stay close to home and to be at a great school like Michigan State,” Giuseppe said. This bond and all playing in the MSU soccer program not only brings the four brothers together, but what brings the whole family together. “We’re a very family orientated family,” Hunter said. Being family oriented not only brings the Barone’s together, but also brings the entire team together through their love for one another. “We see their passion for each other and then they bring it on the field and that helps us stay passionate,” defensemen Jimmy Fiscus said. “I like having them both on our team and they’ve been a big factor for us.”
Fri •7:10 & 9:20 pm 119B Wells Hall Sun •9:00 pm Conrad Aud
Sept. 28–Oct. 1 Pirates of the Caribbean -Dead Men Tell no Tales Thurs: 8:30 PM @ Wilson Aud Fri: 7:30 PM @ 117 B Wells Hall, 8:30 PM @ 115 B Wells Hall Sun: 8:30 PM @ Conrad Aud
Baby Driver Thurs: 7:00 & 9:00 pm @ Conrad Aud Fri: 7:00 & 9:00 PM @ 119 B Wells Hall Sun: 7:00 & 9:00 PM @Wilson Aud
www.rha.msu.edu ccc@rha.msu.edu 517-355-8285
THE STATE N EWS
Sophomore midfielder Giuseppe Barone (10) looks to pass as he dribbles the ball up the field during the game against the University of Michigan on Sept. 17 at U-M Soccer Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 1-0. PHOTO: JON FAMUREWA
THURSDAY, SEPT E MB E R 2 1 , 2 01 7
Junior forward Hunter Barone (7) dribbles the ball across the field during the game against the University of Michigan on Sept. 17 at U-M Soccer Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 1-0. PHOTO: JON FAMUREWA
Sports
Sam Metry Sports editor sports@statenews.com
Crossword
L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
Column: Ranked or not, Notre Dame is still a challenge for the Spartans BY SOUICHI TERADA STERADA@STATENEWS.COM
If Division I collegiate football — between the sponsorships, money and national attention — was anything like school, so far, the Spartans are passing with flying colors. A perfect record, two comfortable wins over inferior opponents and an almost renewed sense of confidence in the team, it’s all been there. There’s very little fans can complain about, and trust me, that’s an accomplishment in and of itself. Sure, you can nitpick some parts, especially the fumbling issues. But to deny the Spartan faithful’s optimism would be heartless. Except, much like football, we’re still at the point of the semester where we have yet to take that first test. Whether that be in the classroom or on the field. You see, Spartans who have gone on and graduated MSU might forget, there comes a time in the semester where the going gets tough. Exams are introduced and the library slowly fills with stressed college students. For lack of a better term — shit starts to get real. And we’re right at that point in the schedule. The bye week has come and gone. For the next 10 Saturdays, MSU football will be on television in one way, shape or form. That stretch, of course, includes Notre Dame and nine straight Big Ten opponents. A daunting task. Some of these tests will be harder than others. No one’s going to compare hated rival Michigan to Rutgers, the talent disparity is undeniable. The Spartans will tell you they’ll be looking at the schedule one test at a time. As they should, it’s a long year. And if you look ahead, you’ll be left a laughingstock after losing to an inferior opponent. But it all starts with Notre Dame. It might seem silly, I understand. The Spartans still defeated the Fighting Irish last season despite the 3-9 record. And even then, Notre Dame finished 4-8, just a win better than the Spartans. What is there to worry about? But here’s reality — conventional college football wisdom doesn’t apply to the blue bloods. There are exceptions to the rule, and that includes the Fighting Irish. Sticking with the school analogy, I might be excep-
tional at math. But quantum calculus trigonometry III would still give me fits whether I like it or not. Notre Dame always recruits well, it’s a perk of being a national brand. On another level, the Irish have shown flashes of talent this year, much like MSU has. Head coach Brian Kelly may be breaking in a new quarterback, junior Brandon Wimbush, but man, can that kid run. Wimbush and tailback Josh Adams both ran for over 200 yards rushing against Boston College — each. To argue this Notre Dame team untalented is asinine. The Irish may shock a team or two down the stretch, much like the Spartans. They’ve already gone blow-for-blow against a ranked Georgia team, falling by just a mere point at home. Notre Dame has an established resume compared to MSU. It’s not very substantial, comparable to a sophomore’s accomplishments and maybe a freshman’s. But it’s a track record nonetheless. We’ll know more about this Spartan team after this game. A comfortable win over Notre Dame won’t come with the disclaimer of, “Oh, it’s just a MAC school, let’s wait and see how MSU really does.” A humbling loss will reset expectations for MSU. Murmurs of greener pastures and a puncher’s chance at the Big Ten East title will quiet down. The ghost of Sparta past still haunts some fans’ hopes, wishing for another berth in the College Football Playoff. But who knows, maybe a win over Notre Dame doesn’t mean anything, that was seen just last year. To say I’ve never taken a class that blindsided me with tests harder than the first would be a lie. Trust me, I know, it’s only the third game, but after dueling the Fighting Irish, that’s already a quarter of the season gone. Impressions and thoughts of MSU will be made the longer the Spartans trek into the season. But this is their first chance to impress a national audience, one that has long forgotten of their stretch atop the Big Ten. It’s far too early to calculate and try to predict a final grade for this year’s MSU. That should be done when all the tests, pop quizzes and iClicker points are accounted for. But if I know anything about school — and college football — starting the semester off with a bang is crucial to nabbing that degree, or in this case, bowl game. And who knows, maybe more.
ACROSS
1 “More or less” suffix 4 Rose and fell on the waves 10 Tax pros 14 Cohort of Larry and Curly 15 Not widely understood 16 Boffo review 17 Extemporaneous, as a speech 19 Theater honor 20 “Firework” singer Perry 21 Near-perfect bridge feat 23 Amigo 26 Liam of “Michael Collins” 27 Appointed White House overseer 32 __ Vegas 33 Peaceful 34 Dalai Lama’s homeland 38 Planets, in poems 40 Not suitable for military service ... or an apt description of 17-, 27-, 49- and 64-Across 43 Thick book 44 Salami type 46 Nevada senator Harry 48 Red wine choice, for short 49 Laundry service option 53 ‘60s dance craze
1 “Didn’t hurt a bit!” 2 Living room seat 3 Lift with effort 4 Scoff from Scrooge 5 Calif. neighbor 6 Covertly sends an email dupe to 7 “The Wizard of Oz” author 8 __ terrible: difficult child, in French 9 Rid of parasites, as a dog 10 Multi-discipline strength-training program 11 Painter Picasso 12 Like many nest-builders 13 Look (like)
Level: 1
2
3
4
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 MONDAY’S PUZZLE
WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS
Get the solutions at statenews. com/ puzzles 9/19/17
T H U RS DAY, S E P T E MB E R 2 1 , 2 01 7
DOWN
18 Tap out a text, say 22 Departed 24 N.Y. Jets’ org. 25 Bread shape 27 Bathtub blockage 28 Cocksure Aesopian racer 29 Library ID 30 Mel’s Diner waitress 31 Blue toon 35 Memorable clown 36 Disney’s “__ and the Detectives” 37 See to 39 Began to melt 41 Stephen of “Michael Collins” 42 Locate 45 Grad 47 Pres. before JFK 50 Beneficial 51 Fancy duds 52 Pal of Rover 53 Perpetrate, as havoc 54 Love to pieces 56 Pats gently 57 Exam 58 “Think nothing __” 60 Many miles off 61 “Use the Force, __” 62 Big-screen format 65 Masculine Italian suffix with bamb66 Marshland
Get the solutions at statenews.com/puzzles
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55 Opus __: “The Da Vinci Code” sect 56 DJ known for playing novelty tunes 59 Surrealist Salvador 63 Geological age 64 Beanstalk giant’s chant 67 Unclothed 68 Like bears 69 Alias, on police blotters 70 List of appts. 71 English writer Edward Bulwer-__ 72 “Oedipus __”
© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
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Sports
MICHIGAN STATE VS. NOTRE DAME KICKOFF AT 8 PM
Sept. 23 at Spartan Stadium, TV: FOX, Radio: Spartan Sports Network
Michigan state // 2-0 record
the
team
31.5 points // 255.5 yds rushing // 205.5 yds passing
stats PER GAME
12 opposing pts allowed
91.5 yds allowed // 112 yds passing allowed
THE RIVALRY BEGAN IN 1897
notre dame // 2-1 record
IT IS OFFICIALLY MSU’S LONGEST RUNNING RIVALRY
39 points // 330.7 yds rushing // 163.3 yds passing
10 of 11 THE FIRST GAMES BETWEEN ND & MSU WERE SHUTOUTS
18.7 opposing pts allowed
last game MARK DANTONIO SAYS IT MAY BE HIS LAST GAME WITH THE FIGHTING IRISH
151.7 yds allowed // 200.3 yds passing allowed
FOOTBALL PHOTO: VICTOR DIRITA
MSU WINS IF
MSU LOSES IF
The defense allows Brandon Wimbush to find a groove in the running game, allowing score after score
FOOTBALL REPORTER SOUICHI TERADA
The Spartan offense fixes some kinks and doesn’t turn the ball over
PREVIOUS FIVE MATCHUPS 2010-2017 WINS: 3 10
THE STATE N EWS
THURSDAY, SEPT E MB E R 2 1 , 2 01 7
WINS: 2
Features
Sasha Zidar Features editor features@statenews.com
Cockroach sighting in residence hall leads to questions BY CLAIRE MOORE CMOORE@STATENEWS.COM
Freshman Meagan Wozny got the surprise of her college life just a few short weeks after moving into her MSU residence hall. Wozny, a voice performance and music education major, lives in the North neighborhood of MSU’s campus. One evening, during the week of Sept. 11, Wozny went to take a shower in the communal bathrooms located on her floor. She placed her bathroom caddy on the floor of the shower stall she had entered. As she finished washing up and went to lift the caddy, one of the most infamous members of the insect kingdom greeted her. “I was in first-floor girls’ showers in Campbell,” she recalled. “When I went to put my conditioner back in my caddy, a cockroach just kind of scurried out from underneath and ran into the bathroom.” Upon seeing it, Wozny tried not to be fazed. “I stayed pretty calm,” she explained, in reference to her initial encounter. However, her reaction a few minutes after she saw it was a different story. “I rinsed out my hair, I got my towel, and I walked back to the room, and I called my dad and cried,” she added. Wozny’s experience is not the first time that pest issues at MSU have been brought to light. In 2015, The State News reported on an instance of bed bugs discovered in Case Hall, which is home to James Madison College in South Neighborhood. That situation was addressed by MSU Pest Control. Now, with the discovery of cockroaches in Campbell Hall, MSU has to answer a serious question: how exactly did a cockroach wind up in a residence hall shower? It’s common knowledge that household cockroaches are an extraordinary species. They’re capable of surviving extended periods of time underwater, high levels of heat exposure, body limbs being cut off and even certain levels of
nuclear radiation. A member of the insect order blattodea, the roaches that invade homes, kitchens and living areas have jokingly been termed “indestructible.” A residence hall could be considered a perfect habitat for this sort of pest — there are plenty of spaces to hide, livable breeding grounds, water from pipes and faucets, and food which can be stolen from unsuspecting college students. MSU’s REHS could not make a representative available for comment. Howard Russell, an entomologist with MSU’s Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, talked about the steps that one can take to prevent such pest infestations. “The most important aspect in cockroach control is sanitation,” he explained. “So if people are sloppy with food, then they keep foods out, or they don’t empty the trash often enough … that favors cockroach development, and it favors their numbers.” Russell added that students upholding sanitary measures on campus is important, as well. Without proper sanitation, it’s difficult to prevent additional infestations. “They can follow-up with reporting infestations to campus pest control people so that they can then take actions, but without proper sanitation, it doesn’t really matter what a pest control person here on campus does. It’s facing an uphill battle, and probably one that they’ll lose, Russell said. Wozny stated that she has not seen any more roaches since her initial encounter. “I’ve heard some stories, but I haven’t seen any myself,” Wozny said. She also commented on the way that she believes MSU should handle the situation. “Take care of the cockroaches in Campbell, do the whole bugs-be-gone process. And then I think, tell the students how to prevent them a little bit more, because it’s an old building so it’s going to come with its share of issues.”
Five ways to prevent pests indoors: 1. Keep trash in a sealed container and store it in an area that is easy to clean.
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3. Seal food tightly, and make sure insects can’t get into packages of cereal, sugar, cookies, etc. Keep bread, crackers and other items in sealed containers when possible. 4. Keep cupboards and storage areas clean. 5. Regularly discard old newspapers and other items saved for recycling. Credit: bayeradvanced.com
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Employment
Employment
Houses/Rent
CHURCH CHOIR/MUSIC DIRECTOR needed. Keyboard skills required. Send resume to St. John’s UCC 429 N Washington St. Owosso, MI 48867.
SALES ASSISTANT. Make your school year better! Upscale retail store seeking positive & upbeat person with a great work ethic. Get experience in sales with a potential career position in a fun and team oriented family owned business. F/t or p/t. Apply in person at Heat’n Sweep at 2041 W Grand River in Okemos or email us a cover letter and resume to davis@heatnsweep.com
AUG ‘18 Houses Lic 3-6. Apts 1-4 bdrm & Studios. Great Locations/Top Conditions. Visual tours hudginsrealty.com (517) 575-0008. No pets.
Houses/Rent
LIC FOR 4 and 5. Close to campus. Excellent rates. Call 517-410-1198 or 517203-5157
NOW HIRING full and part time positions. Looking for a job with flexible hours and great pay? Both driver and cashier positions available. On site training, no experience necessary. Apply at 1500 Haslett Road, East Lansing. Questions? Contact us at 517-332-6335 www. hhmobil.com
2. Clean up often, especially in an eating area and bathrooms. Wipe counters, wash dishes and sweep the kitchen floor daily.
deadlines
OFFICE ASSISTANT. Keep your school year exciting! Heat’n Sweep is seeking an office assistant who is positive & upbeat, with a good work ethic. You will have varied duties in an upscale, family owned business. Great hours, great wages and a fun place to work! F/t or p/t. Apply in person at Heat’n Sweep at 2041 W Grand River Ave in Okemos or email us with a cover letter and resume at davis@ heatnsweep.com
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1-12 PERSON Houses plus apts. Across from MSU. Visit us soon at housesforrent. com to tour our top quality houses through photos and videos and see their great locations. 332-8600. No pets. Signing leases now. We rent first come first serve basis. 2018 HOUSES. Lic. 3,4,5,6,7,8. Excellent Locations. Top Conditions. Extensive Updates. Call/Text: 517-490-3082. 323, 324 DURAND. Close, residential. 4 bdrm. Lic. for 4. No smoke/no pets. (813) 695-3660.
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EAST SIDE 3 Bdrm house. 1 mile from Sparty Statue. No smoking or pets. $900/ mo plus util. Sec dep plus app. On bus line. Call (517) 675-5143.
NOW LEASING 2018. 4-6 Br houses. Close to MSU. boydrentals.com. Call (517) 896-2247. SPACIOUS 4/6 BDRM Lic. 6/4. d/w + w/d. security deposit + utilities 517 599 5731
Automotive SPARTAN GREEN 99 Honda Accord 147,429 mi. $4,500 excellent condition/service hist. Call 517-819-2542
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Features
Sasha Zidar Features editor features@statenews.com
N Penn. Ave
Lansing puts cap on dispensaries SEPTEMBER 28 Come to the Expo to explore MSU’s 275+ programs in more than 60 countries around the world! Talk with program directors, former participants, advisers, and visitors from abroad.
For more information: educationabroad.msu.edu/education-abroad-expo
#EAexpo
Central Lansing E Michigan Ave
BRESLIN CENTER
NOON TO 6PM
E Oakland Ave
= dispensary E Kalamazoo St
On Sept. 14, the Lansing City Council approved a city ordinance to put a cap on the number of medical marijuana dispensaries allowed in the city. The ordinance calls for a maximum of 25 dispensaries within Lansing city limits. Currently, there are between 50 and 80, meaning just over half of the medical marijuana provisioning centers will have to shut their doors. A dispensary owner in Lansing, who asked to keep their name and business anonymous, says the ordinance is a good thing. “It means that I get a shot to have a legitimate business,” the dispensary owner said. “It means there’s a set of rules to play by.” For some, the ordinance is an ominous sign in the ever-shifting landscape of medical marijuana. “This ordinance is really restrictive,” said Chris Silva, a political consultant with Lansing’s KIND Dispensary. “For a lot of people, it eliminates the opportunity to even pursue a license. And then the setbacks and zoning issues and zoning restraints that it puts on businesses makes very difficult for people who are not highly capitalized to be able to find a place that would fit the parameters because the real estate market for that stuff is just going to get insane right now. It sets up a system that makes it inherently unfair and difficult for the operators that have already been providing service and medicine to patients, some of them for six, eight, years.” Silva says this is another tactic from the government to help the wealthy build a monopoly on yet another industry. “I think that it’s another pretty blatant example of special interests and borderline corruption in government,” he said. “It’s going to set up a playing field that’s unfair in nature and it’s gonna highly favor really, really rich people. People that are coming into it just so insanely rich already.” The dispensary owner isn’t worried about their shop’s chances of becoming a licensed dispensary. They said they did their “homework” all through the waiting period and is following in accordance with all of the state’s regulations, including proper signage and distance from schools, churches and various businesses. They attended all of the related meetings that City Council held and medical marijuana advocates were nowhere to be found. “For people to be upset about what’s happened? To me? That’s just being lazy,” the shop owner said. “They had every opportunity to go out to the meetings I went to. Every opportunity to speak at those meetings and make their voices heard. And they didn’t.” Dispensary owners know there will be a dark period in Lansing where the state will be in
limbo between closing the city’s provisioning centers and handing out licenses to approved shops. During that time, dispensaries will be closed, and patients will have to find new ways to get their medicine. Both the anonymous dispensary owner and Silva agreed that the dispensary shutdowns will cause a hike in marijuana prices. “I think what it will do is divert more people into the extralegal sector,” Silva said. He said that more people will be pushed into selling and buying drugs illegally once the convenience of dispensaries disappears. At-large councilmembers Judi Brown Clarke, Patricia Spitzley and Kathie Dunbar along with 2nd Ward Member Tina Houghton, and 4th Ward Member Jessica Yorko, all voted in favor of the ordinance. In addition to the dispensary cap, the new ordinance also requires businesses to pay for licenses to operate, grow marijuana and transport marijuana. An application for a license in Lansing will cost $5,000 ($2,500 will be refunded if the applicant doesn’t receive a license). The renewal fee, which runs on a yearly basis, also costs $5,000. Councilmember Carol Wood along with 1st Ward Councilmember Jody Washington and third Ward council member Adam Hussain opposed the ordinance. The MSU community had a mixed reaction to the event. One student, a medicinal marijuana card-holding hospitality junior, who asked to remain anonymous, agreed the dispensary layout in Lansing was getting out of hand. “I think they just realized that too many dispensaries were opening up. It was getting a little out of hand. Dispensaries were opening up next to churches, a few blocks down from schools,” the student said. “They don’t want to have that face in the city.” The student also acknowledged the impact that it will have on some fellow classmates. “What about the people that work at the dispensaries as a part-time job?” they asked. “I know a lot of students that work at the dispensaries. What are they going to do?” Another MSU student, packaging junior Blake Gendregske, doesn’t have a medicinal card, but realizes the ripple effect from the ordinance may affect him. “It could affect me indirectly because if I try and get marijuana, it might be harder for me to get it,” Gendregske said. “It seems they’re trying to cut back,” Gendregske said regarding the passed ordinance. “And they’re trying to restrict it a little bit and make it less accessible for people.” Unless given immediate action from the city council, the ordinance will take effect 30 days after its enactment. In a Facebook post, Lansing Mayor Virgil Bernero — a noted medical marijuana advocate — applauded the passage of the ordinance.
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T H U R S DAY, S E PTE M B E R 2 1 , 2 01 7
BY JAMESON DRAPER JDRAPER@STATENEWS.COM
T H E STAT E NE WS