A NEW FACE IN DISTRICT 8 Slotkin wins toss-up race against incumbent Bishop Election coverage pages 2-8. T HU R S DAY, N OVE MB E R 8, 2 018
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ELECTION RESULTS
Elissa Slotkin wins Michigan’s 8th Congressional District BY KAITLYN KELLEY AND JACK RYAN KKELLEY@STATENEWS.COM JRYAN@STATENEWS.COM
Democratic candidate Elissa Slotkin will be the next representative for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District after defeating two-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Michigan, in the Nov. 6 midterm elections. Slotkin had 172,878 votes and 50.61 percent compared to Bishop’s 159,804 votes and 46.71 percent with all precincts in the district reporting, according to the Secretary of State. “I couldn’t be more proud to be the next Congresswoman for the 8th Congressional District,” Slotkin said at her watch party at the Deer Lake Athletic Club in Clarkston. Slotkin thanked her campaign’s volunteers, saying she couldn’t have done it without them. “Thank you for the work, and the sweat, and the walking in the heat and the walking in the rain,” she said. “This campaign team turned an unwinnable race into a victory.”
INCUMBENT LOSS
After news organizations started to call the race for Slotkin, Bishop took to the podium at his watch party in Rochester Hills to make a concession speech. For the few who remained in the audience past midnight, Bishop thanked them for their endless support. He also thanked his family and his staff
Elissa Slotkin smiles at Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner during her watch party Nov. 6 at the Deer Lake Athletic Club in Clarkston. PHOTO BY SYLVIA JARRUS.
for what he called a team effort. “I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to (be a Congressperson); to serve my country and my community,” Bishop said. “That’s the first thing on my mind, that I am honored.” After sharing his thanks, Bishop noted the election process had been taxing on him, with
all of the “lies and deception” said about him during the campaigning process. He said he blames the tens of millions of dollars spent on this election to weaponize these attacks. “There is just too much of this anger out there right now, and we have got to figure out how we step away from that and forgive each other for what’s going on,” Bishop said. Bishop closed his speech by saying our governmental system has significant flaws, but even with those flaws it is the greatest government on the planet.
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Susan Anzicek is a Brighton resident who decided to volunteer with Slotkin’s campaign after she heard Slotkin speak about losing her mother to breast cancer. “I’m a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed two different times,” Anzicek said. “I know how much my bills were and I can’t fathom somebody trying to go through what I did.” Anzicek said Slotkin’s campaign was the first she ever worked on. She said she walked for hours and met many people she intends to keep relationships with. “I am just completely blown away by her level of organization and finding extremely capable people who were totally on board and did everything possible (so) that they could to make (Slotkin’s victory) a reality,” Anzicek said. “We did a lot of work as volunteers.” Anzicek said she is “very happy” and confident in Slotkin’s ability to serve the community. “I believe Elissa will be bringing a new spirit of mission and focus, and she is a problemsolver,” she said. “I expect her to do great things because she’s worked with both Democrats and Republicans and that’s what we need.” Carol Mason taught at West Middle School in Rochester Hills, where Bishop went to school. “He was a student at the school where I taught many, many years ago. I have always wanted someone to beat him because I never liked the way he addresses things,” Mason said. Mason started volunteering with Elissa Slotkin’s campaign in May, canvassing, phoning and going door-to-door with Slotkin’s staff in Rochester Hills. She was also a donor to Slotkin’s campaign. “She has a terrific background,” Mason said. “She’s been in service to our country her whole life. ... Her issues are my issues.” Mason said even if Slotkin hadn’t won the race, the environment at the watch party and during the entire campaign was “so positive.” “Democratic women are really going to make a big impact on this whole country,” she said.
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Carolyn and David Solomon have been Ingham County residents since 1970 and said they started working with Slotkin’s campaign a year ago. They phone banked, delivered campaign signs, attended rallies and press conferences, wrote letters to the editor to different news outlets and provided cookies for the other volunteers. Carolyn said the volunteers made a strong effort to campaign on MSU’s campus. “It’s a more Democratic-leaning county, overall,” Carolyn Solomon said. “They canvassed really hard. (The MSU College Democrats) had a bus the other night that went to the Joe BidenElissa Slotkin rally, and they had a van driving students to the polling places.” Kelsey Vinson is at Oakland Community College. She voted for the first time in the midterm elections and said she did a lot of canvassing and phone banking for Slotkin’s campaign. “With the political climate, I felt like it was very important,” Vinson said. “I’m not usually this involved in campaigns; I’ve done a lot volunteering this time around. It felt a lot more important than past years.” Vinson said she decided to volunteer with Slotkin’s campaign because she felt it was important to make sure people are voting — and talking to people over the phone and faceto-face seemed like the best method to get that message across. “I feel like a lot of us maybe aren’t into politics. Even though we’re young now, it’s going to affect us for the rest of our lives,” Vinson said. “Politics affects most aspects of our lives even if we aren’t interested or don’t realize it.” MSU political science senior Jaron Green said he started campaigning for Elissa Slotkin in the spring. He also canvassed, phone banked and more. He said he wanted to campaign for Slotkin for many reasons, namely her values, background and goals of serving the community. “I’m a veteran, like her,” Green said. “Her campaign’s about pure representation. She wants to be a representative for the community; she’s not doing this for herself.” He said he thinks it’s important for young people to vote because younger voices need to be represented in politics. “It’s incredibly important for young voters to turn out. This was part of the reason why I really started getting involved in politics,” he said. “When you look at demographics of who’s in Congress; who is in the Senate; who’s in the House; who makes the laws for the country, our states, our cities and our townships — these people are 30 years older than me.” At the end of Slotkin’s watch party, many volunteers and members of her campaign celebrated with one another. Many said they were excited about not only Slotkin’s victory, but the Democratic takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives and other positions as well. “Washington has no idea what’s coming for them,” Slotkin said.
U.S. House of Representatives Midterm Results Michigan, by district 1
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VOL . 109 | NO. 11 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Marie Weidmayer
CONTACT THE STATE NEWS (517) 295-1680
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CAMPUS EDITOR Kaitlyn Kelley CITY EDITOR Maxwell Evans SPORTS EDITOR Michael Duke FEATURES EDITOR Claire Moore PHOTO EDITOR Matt Schmucker COPY CHIEF Alan Hettinger DESIGN Daena Faustino Lauren Gewirtz Shelby Zeigler This week’s cover photo was by Sylvia Jarrus
Luis Lomeli (right) throws a punch during his fight in the 132 lb Men’s Novice Division at the Capital City Fight Night at the RA1 Basketball Range Nov. 2. Lomeli fought for Crown Boxing. PHOTO BY MATT SCHMUCKER.
CORRECTION “Getting to know the U.S. Senate Canidates” in the Nov. 1 issue was written by Maisy Nielsen, not Andrew Roth.
GENERAL MANAGER Christopher Richert ADVERTISING M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Mia Wallace 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 on Thursdays during the academic year. News is constantly updated seven days a week at statenews.com. 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. Copyright © 2018 State News Inc., East Lansing, Michigan
IN TODAY’S PAPER
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MSU has two new Democratic Trustees Brianna Scott and Kelly Tebay won the Board of Trustees election
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All three ballot proposals pass Recreational marijuana will be legal for adults 21 and older
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Faculty welcomes international students for Thanksgiving OISS will host Thanksgiving dinner program
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“I remember that feeling of thinking that my government didn’t care about me. I wasn’t a part of this state. My family wasn’t a part of this state, and our government was openly hostile to us.”
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Dana Nessel Newly-elected Michigan Attorney General Read more on page 4.
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RELIGIOUS DIRECTORY
Nessel elected Attorney General
Stay up to date at: www.statenews.com/religious
All Saints Episcopal Church 800 Abbot Rd. (517) 351-7160 Sun. Worship: 8am, 10am, & 5pm Sunday School: 10am www.allsaints-el.org
Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St. (517) 332-1916 Services: Friday night 6pm, dinner @ 7, September–April www.msuhillel.org
Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd. (517) 337 9703 Sun. Worship: 10:00am Sun. Bible Study: 8:45am Thur. Bible Study: 2pm www.ascensioneastlansing.org Email: ascensionlutheran@att.net
The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd. (517) 351-4309 Friday Services: 12:15-12:45pm & 1:45-2:15pm For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/
Chabad House of MSU 540 Elizabeth St. (517) 214-0525 Prayer Services: Friday night services followed by traditional Shabbat dinner @ Chabad. www.chabadmsu.com Eastminster Presbyterian Church UKirk at MSU Presbyterian Campus Ministry 1315 Abbot Rd. (517) 337-0893 Sun. Worship: 10am www.eastminster church.org Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. (Meet @ University Christian Church) (517) 898-3600 Sun: 8:45am Worship, 10am Bible Class Wed: 1pm, Small group bible study www.greaterlansing coc.org
Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. (517) 332-0778 Sun: 9:30am & 7pm Wed: 9pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) www.martinluther chapel.org Pentecostals of East Lansing 16262 Chandler Road (517) 337-7635 Service Times: Sundays: Prayer 10:30am, Service 11am Wednesdays: Prayer 6:30pm, Bible Study 7pm pentecostalEL.org Denomination: Pentecostal The People’s Church multi-denominational 200 W Grand River Ave (517) 332-6074 Sun Service: 10:30am with free lunch for students following worship. The PeoplesChurch.com
Religious Organizations:
Riverview Church- MSU Venue MSU Union Ballroom, 2nd Floor 49 Abbot Rd. (517) 694-3400 Sun. Worship: 11:30am-ish www.rivchurch.com St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C Ave. (517) 337-9778 Sun: 8am, 10am, Noon, 5pm, 7pm M,W,F: 12:15pm T & Th: 9:15pm www.stjohnmsu.org University Luthern Church (ULC) Lutheran Campus Ministry at MSU 1020 S. Harrison (517) 332-2559 Sun. Worship: 8:30am & 10:45am (Sept–May) Summer Worship: 9:30am www.ulcel.org University United Methodist Church 1120 S. Harrison Rd (517) 351-7030 Main Service: Sun: 11am in the Sanctuary Additional Services: TGiT (Thank God its Thursday): Thur: 8pm in the Chapel of Apostles universitychurchhome.org office@eluumc.org WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbot Rd. (517) 580-3744 Sat: 6:30pm msu.edu/~welsluth
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BY CHASE MICHAELSON AND ANNA LIZ NICHOLS CMICHAELSON@STATENEWS.COM ANICHOLS@STATENEWS.COM
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etroit-area prosecutor Dana Nessel was elected Attorney General Nov. 6. The Democrat’s victory looked likely by about midnight, but Republican opponent and state House Speaker Tom Leonard did not concede until 9:15 a.m. Nov. 7. Though her victory was not yet official, Nessel spoke at the statewide Democratic watch party at the Motor City Casino in Detroit Nov. 6 and used her time to make a big statement about why she ran — without using her words. “For those of you out there that can’t handle the fact that I’m about to become the first openly gay person to hold statewide office:” she said Tuesday night before giving her wife, Alanna Maguire, a big kiss. Nessel has said a major reason for her Attorney General run was to protect the rights of the LGBT community. “I remember that feeling of thinking that my government didn’t care about me. I wasn’t part of this state,” she said. “My family was not a part of this state, and our government was openly hostile to us.” Nessel was joined on stage by her family and former clients Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer. Nessel defended Rowse and DeBoer in a 2012 Michigan Supreme Court case that helped solidify the court’s decision to recognize samesex couples’ rights and allowed the couple to legally adopt. The man she battled in that case, outgoing Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette, lost the gubernatorial race to Democrat Gretchen Whitmer Tuesday night. “From now on, everyone in this state that has felt like they weren’t included and their government did not care about them — I don’t care what your race or your religion, or your ethnicity or your national origin, or your sexual orientation or your gender identity — You belong here. You are a Michigander and as of now you have a government that cares about you,” Nessel said. Nessel will become the first Democrat to hold the office of Attorney General in Michigan in 16 years, as Republican Mike Cox preceded Schuette from 2003 to 2011. Nessel closed with an impassioned call to her supporters.
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Dana Nessel enters Wells Hall Oct. 22 for a meeting with MSU College Democrats. PHOTO BY SYLVIA JARRUS.
“Whenever you feel like you need someone there for you, when you’ve had somebody rip you off or scam you, or you have a company that has polluted your environment, or if you live in a nursing home and you feel like you’ve been abused or neglected, or if your civil rights have been infringed upon and you say to yourself, ‘Who’s going to be my lawyer? Who’s going to represent me?’ … I will represent you. I will be your lawyer and I will work relentlessly towards justice for everybody in this state,” she said. Nessel’s win, coupled with W hitmer’s g uber nator ia l v ic tor y a nd i nc u mbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow’s senatorial victory over challenger John James, marks a significant left turn for Michigan, one of the major “battleground states” that President Donald Trump won in 2016 and helped decide that election. Scott Hagerstrom, Trump’s Michigan campaign director in 2016, spoke to The State News at the Republican watch party in Lansing. He expressed his disappointment in the evening’s statewide results, but kept a national focus. “There’s a lot of good things going on around the country. You look at the future of our country, the Republicans are gonna gain seats in the U.S. Senate,” Hagerstrom said. “They’re not gonna lose as many seats in the House as normally the party in power loses. For the future of our country, it’s a very positive (development).” The U.S. House of Representatives flipped to Democratic control, while Republicans extended their lead in the U.S. Senate. Leonard did not speak to reporters Nov. 6, as he waited for more results to come in. When he did concede, he released a short statement congratulating Nessel. “Last night’s results may be personally disappointing, but it is time to move forward and allow Michigan’s next attorney general to begin transitioning into this important role. Dana Nessel ran a smart campaign and earned the voters’ trust. I have offered her any help she may need getting acclimated to the department and beginning her term. I will always have a passion for serving alongside law enforcement and making our state safer and stronger for Michigan families, and I wish Dana the best as she assumes that mantle on our behalf.”
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ELECTION RESULTS
Debbie Stabenow wins fourth term over challenger John James BY ANNA LIZ NICHOLS AND ANDREW ROTH ANICHOLS@STATENEWS.COM AROTH@STATENEWS.COM
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ith the stage full of music and the main f loor riddled with people dancing, attendees of the statewide Democratic watch party in Detroit celebrated reports of Debbie Stabenow being re-elected to the U.S. Senate. Screams of excitement floated to the upper level of the room as confetti streamed down. Soon Sen. Stabenow took the stage, backed by a crowd. She thanked the audience after they stopped cheering her name and said she was honored to continue acting as a U.S. senator. She thanked her entourage backing her in her 52 percent win. “On stage are people that care deeply about public service, we care deeply about moving Michigan forward and I cannot think of a better way to do that than working with Governor Gretchen Whitmer,” Stabenow said. The gubernatorial race was called earlier in the night with Whitmer and her running mate, Garlin Gilchrist II, pulling ahead of Republican candidate Bill Schuette 53.1 percent to 44 percent. Stabenow, first elected to the Senate in 2000, is Michigan’s first female senator. She will serve her fourth consecutive term. “I have to say we did it in Detroit,” Stabenow said, acknowledging Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. “The coalition for all of us has been about bringing people together. Working men and women, business people, environmental community, women’s community, religious community, agricultural leaders, that’s how you get things done.” Shortly after the race was called, Stabenow’s challenger, Republican John James, took the stage at his family business in Detroit to address tearful supporters who had watched results
Spencer Abraham 1995-2001
Donald Riegle 1976-1995
Robert Griffin 1966-1979
Debbie Stabenow 2001-/*present*/
Carl Levin 1979-2015
trickle in for several hours. He conceded the race to Stabenow, but he also addressed the future, seemingly leaving the door open to run for office again. “A passion for service doesn’t end with a poll, it doesn’t end with a vote; it ends in the grave. My priority is making investments in things that no one can take away from you,” James said. “We recognize we have to love everyone and work with anyone to serve every one. That’s what we have the charge to do.” After his speech, James left the stage and mingled with supporters for several minutes, doling out hugs, consolations and gratitude. One supporter encouraged him to run for president in 2020, which he said was “crazy talk.” Another told him the defeat was only a two-year delay, suggesting he run against U.S. Sen. Gary Peters in 2020, which James seemed uninterested in. He pointed out he had been running this campaign for over a year. Former Michigan Senator Carl Levin and his brother, Sander Levin — who represented Michigan’s 9th congressional district — stood beside Stabenow. Andy Levin, son of Sander, was also on stage. The attorney general race had not been called yet, but Stabenow said she was counting on Dana Nessel to pull ahead. Nessel won the race. Stabenow celebrated the poll results for
Gary Peters 2015-present
“The coalition for all of us has been about bringing people together. Working men and women, business people, environmental community, women’s community, religious community, agricultural leaders, that’s how you get things done.”
Democrats, as the U.S. House of Representatives will now have a Democratic majority, and vowed to start the next day working her heart out for the people of Michigan. “We know how tough these times are. I suit up and go to Washington to fight for you. I go in on Monday and I come back at the end of the week and I look for every opportunity to be able to work across the aisle to get things done when we can,” Stabenow said. “When we have folks that want to threaten Michigan and our families, I’ll stand up and fight them every single time.”
Debbie Stabenow Senator of Michigan
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When you mention The State News ad *Use only one for every single consumption U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, speaks at U-M’s Rackham Auditorium on Oct. 19. PHOTO BY ANDREW ROTH. F E E DB AC K@ STAT E NE WS .COM
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Whitmer wins race for next Michigan governor BY CHASE MICHAELSON AND ANNA LIZ NICHOLS
After being elected the 49th Governor of Michigan Nov. 6, Gretchen Whitmer addressed the bathed-in-blue crowd at the statewide Democratic watch party at the Motor City Casino in downtown Detroit. “Wow, I guess we’re going to have to fix the damn roads now,” Whitmer said. W h it mer repeated her pla n s for thorough repairs to Michigan roads, ec hoing her prev ious campaign promise. Lingering on t he topic of transportation, Whitmer discussed the symbolism of using the Mackinac Bridge in her campaign, citing the adversity its construction overcame. Whitmer said there were doubts a five-mile suspension bridge connecting the peninsulas could even be built, but public interest won out against partisan division. “At a time where we see too many people who want to divide us through building walls, I think we in Michigan need to get back to building bridges,” Whitmer said. “Michigan voters made a choice in this election. The people have spoken and we chose hope and inclusion. We chose respect and collaboration and we chose bridges over walls.” With all the challenges Michigan faces in the upcoming months, Whitmer said individuals from both sides of the aisle need to work in harmony to improve the lives of Michiganders immediately. Whitmer will be the second female governor in the state, after Jennifer Granholm served from 2003 to 2011. Whitmer’s running mate, Garlin Gilchrist II, is also navigating new territory as Michigan’s first black lieutenant governor. Mea nwh i le, at t he statew ide Republican watch party at the Lansing Center, the mood was hopeful until results began to trickle in. Officials and guests were defiant when asked about the Associated Press calling the
CMICHAELSON@STATENEWS.COM ANICHOLS@STATENEWS.COM
race for Whitmer by 10 p.m., but once Attorney General Schuette came in the room, the message was clear. He spoke for several minutes, thanking his campaign staff – many of them by name – and his family. One of his sisters, coincidentally, is named Gretchen. “The real Gretchen in my life, Gretchen Schuette, is here tonight,” he joked. Schuette was conciliator y and appreciative of the guests at the party. “I’m so proud to be in your company,” Schuette said. “My mom used to say you’re judged by the company you keep, and you’re judged by those who are your friends. I have so many wonderful friends in this room, and I’m so proud to be in your company. How you have provided friendship, encouragement, love, and a pat on the back. I thank you very, very much. God bless all of you, God bless Michigan.” Schuette also noted in his concession speech he had spoken with Governorelect Whitmer. “I expressed my ver y best wishes for her every success in her responsibilities,” he said. “I just want you to know I’m so honored to be the Republican nominee for governor, and I ran (so) Michigan (would) be the leader, the leading state in our nation. Nothing less will do for Michigan, and that’s why I ran.”
RUNNING MATES SPEAK
Lisa Posthumus Lyons, an MSU graduate and former member of the Michigan House of Representatives, served as Schuette’s running mate. She spoke after him, with an introduction from Schuette. “(These elections) are about the people who did the work to move Michigan forward, which is why tonight hurts a little bit,” Lyons said. “The disappointment that we may be feeling is real, but the fight for the
future of Michigan doesn’t become determined by one election. Leaders come and go, politicians win and lose, but the perseverance of the people of Michigan, that remains a constant.” Scott Hagerstrom, the director of President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign in Michigan, said he was disappointed but not surprised with the results of the gubernatorial election, due to past history. “Here in Michigan, it all comes down to candidates and races and how they run their race. It’s normal for Michigan to change parties,” he said. “Every time there’s an open seat, it switches parties. In a lot of ways, it’s a big turn to the left. Our primary concern is that we grow the economy and grow jobs.” In Detroit, Gilchrist introduced Whitmer, but not before thanking his wife for taking care of him through the campaign. He also thanked Michigan voters and those who worked on the campaign. The journey to office was long, Gilchrist said. His personal path started because he was inspired by his community’s leaders on the east side of Detroit. “We stand on this stage upon the shoulders of giants who had a vision that went beyond generations and it’s our generation’s responsibility to live up to that vision by having our imaginations exceeded our expectations,” Gilchrist said. “We have but one future. We are but one Michigan and when we all work together hand-in-hand, armin-arm, shoulder-to-shoulder, we can accomplish any and everything we can imagine.”
Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer waves to the crowd during her acceptance speech during the Democratic watch party at the Motor City Casino on Nov. 6. PHOTO BY ANNTANINNA BIONDO.
“At a time where we see too many people who want to divide us through building walls, I think we in Michigan need to get back to building bridges.” Gretchen Whitmer Governor-elect
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ELECTION RESULTS
Democrats Scott, Tebay win seats on MSU Board of Trustees BY MILA MURRAY MMURRAY@STATENEWS.COM
LEFT: Newly-elected Trustee Brianna Scott watches results come in at her watch party with friends and family at Smash Wine Bar and Bistro in Muskegon, Nov. 6. PHOTO BY MATT SCHMUCKER. RIGHT: Kelly Tebay speaks at the MSU Board of Trustees Candidate Forum at Wells Hall Oct. 2. PHOTO BY ANNIE BARKER.
“The support that we need the most is definitely from the students, faculty, staff and alumni.” Kelly Tebay Newly elected Board of Trustees member
Brianna Scott and Kelly Tebay won the two open seats on the MSU Board of Trustees. Democratic candidates Scott and Tebay won the spots over third and fourth place Republicans Dave Dutch and Mike Miller. The four candidates all had at least 22.7 percent of the vote as of 5 p.m. Nov. 7. Scott, the leader, had 24.01 percent. They will replace Trustees Mitch Lyons and Brian Breslin, who decided not to run for re-election after their terms were up. Scott is an attorney and former prosecutor who worked on criminal sex cases and Tebay is a recent graduate and survivor of sexual assault. This race was of particular importance to MSU students, some of whom called for the Board of Trustees to resign in light of criticism of the university’s inaction and for mishandling reports of ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar’s abuse. Both Scott and Tebay said they hope to be a part of a cultural change at MSU. “People heard my message,” Scott said. “People believe I am the change agent that can make a difference at Michigan State.” Beating all other candidates by 32,261 votes, Scott had the most votes as of 5 p.m. Nov. 7. Brianna Scott’s mother, Asaline Scott, said her daughter was “a dark horse” because of her background. “She’s gone through life experiences that have prepared her for this day, for this time,” Asaline Scott said. “She can identify with many things that are going on right now on campus.” At age 20, Scott was a student at MSU while she was pregnant. Although she struggled balancing two jobs, classes, being the president of her sorority and taking care of her child, she got through it with support from the community. She later went on to law school at Wayne State University and now works as an attorney in Muskegon, where she’s from. Her son now attends MSU. “Being a minority woman, someone that struggled myself when I was on campus, who was on welfare, who was poor and struggled to graduate financially,” Scott
said. “I really can relate to what other people are struggling with.” Scott’s family, friends and colleagues said she won because of her heart. “She has a heart of gold, she’s compassionate,” Asaline Scott said. “She wants to serve, she has that humility and that spirit where she wants to help. She will help. She is a go getter, a fighter.” Scott ’s younger sister, Stephanie Fagerman, said she looked up to Scott. “She just inspired me — seeing how she saw what was happening, she knew she could make a difference and she stuck to it,” Fagerman said. “Coming from a small city like Muskegon, she has been groomed for this position because of all the work and outreach she has done within Michigan, standing up for people.” Fagerman recalled a time when hate speech was graffitied onto buildings in Muskegon and how Scott took a stand against it and presented a speech at a Love Lives Here Campaign and Rally. “That’s what Michigan State needs right now,” Fagerman said. “Someone to hear the students and to stand up for them. And that’s Brianna. Her number one thing is making campus safe, and that’s how she’s going to do it.” Scott said she decided to run because of the lack of empathy she noticed in the administration, which was reaffirmed to her when she attended a Board of Trustees meeting in April. “Seeing how the survivors and their families were treated and how dismissive I felt that Interim President Engler was toward them,” Scott said. “I just felt like we needed a better example.” Some of her priorities include diversity and inclusion, sexual assault prevention, transparency and tackling tuition costs. “It just makes me feel really good to know that all of my hard work over all of these months paid off,” Scott said. Trailing Scott in votes, Tebay secured the second seat with a 16,331 vote lead over third-place Miller as of 5 p.m. Nov. 7. Tebay is now the youngest member of the MSU Board of Trustees.
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“I’m very humbled by it and just thinking about what it means to be a trustee representing the students, faculty and staff as well as the alumni and the people of Michigan,” Tebay said. “I’m really feeling empowered to get a lot done and I’m looking forward to working with all of these groups to figure out some of the solutions that we need to make Michigan State a place that we can all be proud of again.” At her freshman orientation, Tebay was told one in four women would be sexually assaulted during their time at MSU. “That was the tone they set for us on day one, and unfortunately for me, I became that statistic my freshman year,” Tebay said. “When we’re having these conversations about sexual assault on campus, it’s personal for me.” She is committed to ensuring no one experiences what she did on campus. Having only graduated about five years ago, Tebay said she has a better understanding of campus climate, the current culture and the needs of students. Scott and Tebay are already working with the community — and as candidates — they both signed Reclaim MSU’s candidate pledge, agreeing with their two-part policy proposal students and faculty should have a voice on the board. Scott and Tebay already received support from the MSU community, including Trustee Brian Mosallam. In a tweet, he said they will lead the university “into a brighter future, push the climate of our campus forward, and regain the trust of our students and faculty.” “For me, most importantly, the support that we need the most is definitely from the students, faculty, staff and alumni,” Tebay said. “Those are the people that are key in figuring out what are the best things for everyone on campus, and how do we work together to create an environment where students feel safe ... and faculty and staff can be proud to teach at Michigan State. That’s really important to me as a board member.”
T H U RS DAY, NOV E MB E R 8 , 2 01 8
“People heard my message. People believe I am the change agent that can make a difference at Michigan State.” Brianna Scott
Newly elected Board of Trustees member
STATE N E WS .CO M
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ELECTION RESULTS
Democrat Julie Brixie new 69th rep BY RILEY MURDOCK RMURDOCK@STATENEWS.COM
YES
MICHIGAN VOTES YES ON ALL 3 BALLOT PROPOSALS
Democratic nominee for attorney general Dana Nessel listens to Democratic nominee for state representative Julie Brixie on Oct. 22 at Wells Hall. PHOTO BY SYLVIA JARRUS.
Julie Brixie, Michigan’s new representative from the 69th state House District, is following in the footsteps of notable politicians to occupy the seat. Term-limited Michigan House Minority Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) will hold the seat until Brixie takes office. Before his term, East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows represented the district for six years. W ho represented East Lansing prior to Meadows? Michigan’s Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer. “We have had a great history and great legacy of leadership with this seat,” Brixie said. “I’m working hard to achieve the same level of leadership that my predecessors did, and I hope to count on them for mentorship and advice in terms of doing the best job possible for the residents of the 69th House District.” Brixie soundly defeated Republican challenger George Nastas III, garnering 27,352 votes to Nastas’ 10,847. As results continued to favor Michigan Democrats throughout the night, Brixie reacted with joy from her campaign watch party at Pizza House in East Lansing. She said she is excited to serve the highly educated and engaged constituents from the 69th District. “I had a really fabulous team; I’m very honored
BY ALEXIS STARK AND S.F. MCGLONE ASTARK@STATENEWS.COM SFMCGLONE@STATENEWS.COM
and humbled by the whole process,” Brixie said. “I’m just really very grateful for my husband, my family, my faith and my team for helping me to achieve the things that I have been able to achieve today.” Brixie has served on the Meridian Township Board since 2000 as both trustee and treasurer and worked with township officials to balance Meridian’s unfunded pension liabilities. Brixie previously told The State News that protecting LGBT Michiganders and repealing a state law requiring women to purchase additional insurance for abortion costs were her top priorities if elected. Now that she’s achieved victory, Brixie said a continued Republican majority in the state Legislature might slow the advance of Democratic policy, but she’s more than willing to reach across the aisle. “If we have Republican majorities in the House and Senate, it does make it more difficult for us to put forth the Democratic agenda,” Brixie said, “I am eager to work with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I got my start in local government working with a bipartisan board … for over eight years, and I’m eager to work with my future colleagues to put forth legislation that will improve the state of Michigan.”
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THE STATE N E WS
www.rha.msu.ed u ccc@rha.msu.ed u 517-355-8285
THURSDAY, NOVEMB E R 8 , 2 01 8
M
ichigan voted “Yes” on three different proposals on the Nov. 6 ballot— allowing for recreational marijuana, an independent redistricting commission and an expansion of voter rights. Here’s what the passing of Proposals 1, 2 and 3 means for Michigan’s future.
PROPOSAL 1 RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA
Proposal 1 passed with 54.95 percent of total votes. This proposal will legalize recreational marijuana use and possession in the state of Michigan. The tax revenue from marijuana sales is expected to go toward improving Michigan roads and supporting schools. A representative from pro-Proposal 1 group Yes on 1 talked about the results of the election and commented on where marijuana use might go in Michigan. “We’re thrilled with the election results and that Michigan voters resoundingly passed Proposal 1 and agree with our position that regulation and taxation of marijuana is a far better solution than prohibition,” Yes on 1 said. Yes on 1 said they hope the people of Michigan will stay informed about the specifics of Proposal 1 and pay close attention to how the forthcoming legislation unfolds. “In terms of what comes next, it’s important for the public to understand that just because Proposal 1 passed right now, the law doesn’t actually take effect until 10 days after the election results are certified,” they said. “Even when personal possession becomes legal, people shouldn’t be going out in the streets and smoking joints in celebration because public consumption is illegal.” Scott Greenlee, president of Healthy and Productive Michigan—an anti-Proposal 1 group in Michigan—spoke at a press conference on the night of the election and at another the following day. “The results are now in, and it’s clear that the people of Michigan have voted to approve Proposal 1 and legalize recreational marijuana in Michigan, a decision that our committee and our partners think is extremely misg uided and likely misinformed, but nonetheless that’s where we’re at today,” Greenlee said. Greenlee addressed the concerns of communities who wished to opt out of the implications of the proposal. “The devil’s in the details,” Greenlee said. “This proposal is not only ambiguous, but it’s cumbersome and it’s just not well-written. The lawyers will probably have something to say about that and hopefully what they say is communities can get out of this before it even gets started.”
PROPOSAL 2 - REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
Proposal 2 passed with 59.87 percent of total votes with a goal of ending the practice of gerrymandering in Michigan.
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Gerrymandering refers to the drawing of party lines in favor of a political party. Proposal 2 would create an independent commission of randomly chosen voters to draw districts transparently, with all meetings, materials and methods used being accessible to the public. Four Republicans, four Democrats and five independent or third party-affiliated voters would staff the commission, with final maps requiring the approval of at least seven members — two of whom must come from each group. “Our state constitution begins with ‘all political power is inherent in the people,’” said Katie Fahey, founder and executive director of pro-Proposal 2 group Voters Not Politicians. “We’ve proven that when a thoughtful group of passionate citizens band together to try and fix the problems our politicians won’t, we can make our state a better place.” More than 425,000 signatures were collected across Michigan to secure Proposal 2’s place on the 2018 ballot, according to a press release from Voters Not Politicians.
PROPOSAL 3 - VOTER ACCESS
Proposal 3 passed with 2,268,093 votes and an approval ratio of almost two-to-one. This proposal is a collection of provisions that would work to improve Michigan voters’ access to the polls. The proposal’s passage can significantly affect the way college students vote using absentee ballots. “This proposition changes a lot of stuff here in Michigan to make it so that every voter has the chance to cast a ballot,” said Eli Pales, president of the MSU College Democrats. “The implications that will have on our elections will be huge for young voters and those that have been historically disenfranchised.” The provisions include no-reason absentee voting, automatic voter registration upon receiving state ID and same-day voter registration in the two weeks leading up to Election Day. Wayne State College Democrats President Zoe Pidgeon held similar beliefs, saying automatic registration takes the burden off students and allows greater voting access for those renewing state-issued IDs. “In having no-reason absentee voting, it completely changes the way students think about going to the polls,” Pidgeon said. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a thing you have to take time out of your class schedule, out of your work schedule, for.” The proposal’s passage has led Michigan to join 17 other states in allowing same-day voter registration. “Before today, we had a registration deadline. You had to register at least 4 weeks in advance. There are new voters who might not know there is a registration deadline,” Pales said.
CAMPUS
Directors explain decision to join compliance and audit offices BY CHASE MICHAELSON CMICHAELSON@STATENEWS.COM
REPORTING HIERARCHY FOR THE OFFICE OF AUDIT, RISK AND COMPLIANCE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
MARILYN K. TARRANT Associate Vice President and Chief Audit Risk and Compliance Officer (CARCO)
NICHOLAS WITTNER Senior Advisor to CARCO
INTERNAL AUDIT FINANCE & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
IT INTERNAL AUDIT DIRECTOR
OPEN INVESTIGATIONS ANALYST
OPEN INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS & COMPLIANCE DIRECTOR
MSU announced a change in the structure of their new compliance of leading law professionals—concerning compliance in corporate office that will centralize the existing Department of Audit and organizations and universities which said, “There is no ‘one size Risk with the still-evolving compliance office. When the office that fits all.’” “Reasonable minds can differ about what approaches there was initially announced in July by Interim President John Engler, MSU law professor Nicholas Wittner was named interim director. are, and how procedures and organization structures should be The offices will now act independently, but with the same implemented for a particular organization,” Wittner said. Wittner referred to other universities that do not combine the director, Marilyn Tarrant. She was previously executive director of audit and risk, but will now also act as chief compliance officer. two offices as “apples and oranges.” “The reality is that a number of them were in response to scandals While sources reported Wittner resigned from his position, forcing the change of plan, he said he always intended to act in like Penn State, which followed recommendations from former FBI Director Louis Freeh. Ohio State had its own issues as well, an interim role. “I would not have transitioned back to my teaching role if it Rutgers too,” Wittner said. When contacted Nov. 5 by text message to clarify these comments, weren’t for my due diligence and confidence that Michigan State has put the right people in place and implemented the right Wittner responded because the issues at other schools happened procedures to protect our university community,” Wittner said. in athletic departments as opposed to the medical departments, his and Tarrant’s focus was on “I was satisfied that was the case the areas where breakdowns when I made my decision that I occurred, such as the Colleges of would request moving back into the classroom.” “There’s a lot to monitor. There’s Human Medicine and Osteopathic Wittner said, while he intends a lot of risk on the campus and Medicine. “I expect that the compliance to teach and not be in charge of compliance, he will still take an we can identify those risks, we function for us will be tailored with an emphasis on health care and the active role as a senior advisor to can understand what mitigation Office of Civil Rights,” he wrote. Tarrant, a position reflected in the The compliance office is vacant, organizational chart he provided identifiers are in place, and we but Tarrant said she hopes to fill to The State News. He referred to can move forward with that.” the four positions listed on the a Sept. 12 email he sent to Engler, organizational chart by early 2019. explaining his availability two The key, she and Wittner said, is days per week to “assist MSU that the new organizational chart administration and the compliance office and staff however (Engler) Associate Vice President and Chief gives her a direct line to the Board would like, if at all.” Audit, Risk and Compliance Officer of Trustees, meaning they have a direct responsibility to respond to Tarrant said the centralization any concerns she brings up—a privilege she was not afforded in was an important step in creating the Office of Compliance. “If you have separate functions aside from any central reporting her old position. “I have full confidence in the way that the new structure has been mechanism, there’s always the risk they saw something they didn’t think was important based on their knowledge,” Tarrant said. “You organized and I have immense confidence from having worked can miss a total risk area that others—if they had this whole thing with her (Tarrant) from the moment I stepped on this campus with her,” Wittner said. embedded together—they would have identified. Tarrant said her goals for the period before the compliance office “I’m able to do that with this team coming up with the audit reports and the monitoring function. There’s a lot to monitor; is filled are to create a risk matrix to distribute to all officers in there’s a lot of risk on campus and we can identify those risks. the compliance office and a university-wide Code of Ethics, which We can understand prevention methods are in place and we can Wittner said he will be involved in creating. “We need to have people understand if you do something, there’s move forward with that.” Wittner and Tarrant both firmly denied statements made by a consequence, whether it’s disciplinary, termination, could be the Trustee Brian Mosallam in a recent Detroit Free Press article. In police, whatever the case might be,” Tarrant said. “I think we’ll his statement, Mosallam said the centralization of the two offices change the culture here. It’s gonna be an evolution, but we’ll get there over a short period of time.” will lead to the compliance office being undermined. This centralization is somewhat unusual, but Wittner referred to a document from the American Law Institute—a national group
Marilyn Tarrant
C AMP U S @ STAT E NE WS .COM
T H U RS DAY, NOV E MB E R 8 , 2 01 8
Directed by Ann Folino White
November 9-18, 2018 Studio 60 Theatre
STATE N E WS .CO M
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Crossword
FEATURES L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
Faculty open homes to international students for Thanksgiving meal BY ZIMO WANG ZWANG@STATENEWS.COM
ACROSS
1 In addition 4 Infielder’s statistic 10 Mop for a deck 14 “The Tell-Tale Heart” author 15 Casual slacks 16 __ San Lucas: Baja resort 17 Frying pan spray 18 Dodger pitcher with three 1960s Cy Young Awards 20 Compare prices 22 Classic autos 23 Very overweight 24 Blokes 26 Replacements for flat tires 27 Prison sentence shortener 29 Restful resorts 31 Friar from Assisi 33 “Over here!” 37 Honors with a fancy party 38 National Gallery architect I.M. __ 39 Second film in a 2000s horror franchise 40 Soviet news source 41 Short exercise dash 43 Charge per day, e.g. 44 Mall booths
45 Late-night pioneer Johnny 49 Tight spots 50 Hilo howdy 51 50-and-over org. 53 Sign of sleepiness 56 X-ray imaging technique 59 Zodiac lion 60 “Put up your dukes” duke 61 Cut while shaving 62 Faux __: blunder 63 Middle-earth creatures 64 Diners 65 Cloud locale
DOWN
1 iPhone add-ons 2 Ark captain 3 Blue-staters 4 Cooling units, briefly 5 Wrinkly Chinese dog 6 Trig ratios 7 Prefix with European 8 Versatile beans 9 Cluck of reproach 10 __ diver 11 Communion bread 12 Degrade 13 They’re stacked in moving vans 19 “How clumsy of me!” 21 Text messaging devices
25 Oct. contest whose winner goes to the World Series 26 __ Diego 27 Dying-out sound 28 Region 29 Heated argument in public, say 30 Settled up 32 Rotating cooking rod 33 Make fun of 34 Region including the Matterhorn 35 Kitchen fixture 36 Little songbirds 39 Rotate like a top 41 Pale 42 Ship’s captain 43 Waterfall sound 45 Luigi’s drink with latte 46 With 57-Down, multifunctional office machine suggested by this puzzle’s circles 47 Yank out of bed 48 Flu season precautions 49 Penniless 51 India’s continent 52 Bank holding: Abbr. 54 Frail from the flu, say 55 Minding business that’s not your own 57 See 46-Down 58 NFL gains
Get the solutions at statenews.com/puzzles 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 SATURDAY’S PUZZLE
Get the solutions at statenews.com/ puzzles
5/25/15
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© 2015 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
THE STATE N E WS
THURSDAY, NOVEM B E R 8 , 2 01 8
Lansing resident Blanche Sahovetz smiles after pouring gravy on Thanksgiving dinners on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, at the Salvation Army. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO.
I
nternational students have different options to explore if t hey want to celebrate Thanksgiving. For instance, students could stay on campus and eat at one of MSU’s dining halls — or they could visit an American home to fully experience Thanksgiving dinner traditions, thanks to a new program. This year, MSU’s Office for International Students and Scholars, or OISS, is putting on a Thanksgiving dinner program to increase crosscultural exchanges between faculty and international students. Lauren Thams, a student affairs administration student working on her master’s degree, said she is excited for the first iteration of the program. Thams — also a programming and communications intern for the OISS — said it’s a way for American families to open their homes to different cultures for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. “There’s turkey and a lot of traditional dishes and also an oppor t unit y for inter national students and scholars to share with their hosts about their own cultures,” Thams said. OISS Assistant Director Elizabeth Matthews — who had a similar program at one of her previous jobs — talked more about the dinner. “A lot of times international students have a hard time gaining opportunities to go out into the community outside of the MSU campus and experience what a typical American family’s life is like,” Matthews said. “MSU really wanted to be able to provide that opportunity
for students and scholars here to be able to do that in East Lansing.” All international students and their families can apply for the dinner. If an international student has a partner or children in Michigan, they ’re also able to apply for the program. Hosts and participants sign up in different applications, then the OISS facilitates the process of matching hosts to participants. OI S S St ude nt E n g a g e me nt Coordinator Vicky Lee became Thams’ consultant on the program, thanks in part to her experience running a similar program. Lee said there were about 60 participants registered at the end of October, with up to 100 available participant slots in total. Hosts can decide how many people they want to invite. That number can range from two to six, but the OISS tries to keep the number at about four. “This is the first year, so we don’t know how it’s going to go. But in terms of the response rate, we are happy about it so far and a lot of faculty and staff members have shown a lot of interest, although they might not be able to host this time,” Lee said. Lee said students might go to their professor’s house and build a connection outside of the classroom. When the professor is hosting the students, stereotypes surrounding American professors could be broken. “That professor is not only the one teaching you, but you can go share some personal stories with him or
F E AT U RE S @ STAT E NE WS .COM
her if you need to,” Lee said. “It’s really not only about ‘Oh, I know this professor through a classroom,’ but ‘No, I actually know her in person. I know that she is a very nice person and I know that she has my back or he has my back,’ and I think that is the beauty of the program.” One of the difficulties of navigating this program is transportation. In the application, there are questions for participants to answer: Do they have cars? If they do, are they willing to drive others? “If they happen to be a driver with a car, we would try our best to match those people with no car with at least one person with a car, then they can drive to their host’s place together,” Lee said. “If not, then we just have to come up with an alternate solution.” Though the program is only for one night, the OISS encourages participants and hosts to retain the connections they make after it. The dinner is Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. Hosts will contact interested participants directly. “Because this is the first year, we’re starting small, but even with a small set of matching, I think it’s gonna make a big impact,” Thams said. “I would presume that the students and the hosts will stay in touch with each other over the course of the year.” The point of the dinner program? To allow students to feel welcome and supported in the community, Thams said. “It’s just a feeling of comfort and welcome,” she said. “That’s really important.”
SPORTS
MILAN TWINS SHOW SUPPORT AT MSU BY NOAH GOAD NGOAD@STATENEWS.COM
Without spending a day on the lake with the Milan family, you might not recognize the unique bond twins Cody and Devin share. Born April 11, 1996, the Milan twins have been inseparable since they came out of the womb. Cody, a senior forward for Michigan State hockey, and Devin, a senior scrum-half for the Spartans’ women’s rugby team, grew up in White Lake, Michigan. Their relationship is represented in the Gemini symbol etched onto Cody’s side and Devin’s back. This visual representation of their sibling-hood is something the twins display with pride, as its significance stretches beyond them sharing the same birthday. “It’s a double meaning,” Devin said. “My mom is a Gemini … he’s kind of a mama’s boy and I am very close with my mom. So it’s meaningful to have her on my back and it’s also a symbol for twins.” Whether competing in backyard games or attending the same school through eighth grade, the two were always in each other’s company. “We’ve always been by each other’s side,” Cody said. “We used to play on the same hockey team for a few years and then she kinda got into riding horses and I stuck with hockey. But we’ve always been pretty close. We went to the same middle school.” But as Cody went on to play at Saint Mary’s Preparatory School in Orchard Lake, Michigan, and eventually with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm in Kearney, Nebraska, the siblings deviated from their shared “similar path” for the first time in their young lives. “That was a weird split,” Devin said. “To go all the way through kindergarten to eighth grade in the same school, going to lunch and seeing each other, having similar friends and then splitting freshman year. Then the last two years of high school, Cody lived out of state and I was still back home with my parents so he had to learn a little bit more independence, whereas I still had support from my mom and dad because I was still at home.”
Twins Cody Milan (left) and Devin (middle) with their brother Daniel (right) pose for picture. PHOTO COURTESY OF MILAN FAMILY.
Even through the split, Cody and Devin followed through on their longtime aspiration to go to college, as the two would eventually reunite in East Lansing. Having both their mother and grandmother graduate from MSU, Cody and Devin had a love of the university since childhood. “It’s unbelievable because when you’re younger, you always dreamed about going to Michigan State and going to football games and hockey games and just going to school there,” Cody said. “It’s a thought that was pretty cool. Then you eventually get here and now I’m playing hockey and she’s going here and I think it’s just pretty special for us and the family.” The twins capitalize on every opportunity to be together while at school, including attending each other’s games. “I’m not much of a shouter, but I’m always most interested in the game when my brother goes out there,” Devin said. “The last home game on Friday against Ferris State when all the boys were lining up at center ice in a circle, I saw Cody out there tapping his stick and I shouted out, ‘I love you Cody!’ So it was cool to let him know that I came to support him.” D e v i n d i sc u s se s Co dy ’s p e r sona l it y affectionately. “He’s a sweetheart because … he’s like a mama’s boy. He’s always been like super passionate and friendly. Yeah, he’s a sweetheart.” Cody and Devin’s dynamic touches some of their other family members as well, including elder brother Daniel, a defenseman for the Reading Royals in Reading, Pennsylvania. He had an interesting perspective of the two growing up. “It was a journey, just the fights that we would get into over whatever it was, whether it was fighting to play video games or competing in the driveway playing hockey,” Daniel said. “There was always somewhat of a competition but there was always a sense of family, and we always had each other’s backs.”
“It’s kind of a double meaning. My mom is a Gemini ... he’s kind of a mama’s boy and I am very close with my mom. So it’s meaningful to have her on my back and it’s also a symbol for twins.” Devin Milan Women’s Rugby Senior Scrum-half
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T H U RS DAY, NOV E M B E R 8 , 2 01 8
SAVE MONEY! Aug. 19, Lic. 4, Close to campus, No fee’s. Only $560 pp, 517-712-9600 STATE N E WS .CO M
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SPORTS
U.S. Olympic Committee moves to revoke USA Gymnastics’ status BY ANNA LIZ NICHOLS ANICHOLS@STATENEWS.COM
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WEIGHING TOUGH SCHEDULE FOR NO. 10 MSU MEN’S BASKETBALL Freshman guard Foster Loyer (3) holds a basketball during the MSU Basketball Media Day on Oct. 25 at the Breslin Center. PHOTO BY SYLVIA JARRUS. BY NOAH GOAD NGOAD@STATENEWS.COM
The men’s basketball team opened the regular season with a five point loss to No. 1 Kansas Nov. 6 at the State Farm Champions Classic in Indianapolis. The tough matchups don’t stop there, as the remainder of Michigan State’s nonconference schedule is packed with some basketball titans. “We’ve got a little bit of a problem now that we’re playing so many big games early,” coach Tom Izzo said after his team’s Oct. 30 exhibition win over Northern Michigan.
BRUTAL NONCONFERENCE SLATE
MSU’s tough nonconference schedule will likely prevent the team from matching its 30-game win total from last season. The tenth-ranked Spartans have the potential to face off against two more ranked teams on their nonconference schedule, including a matchup against No. 21 UCLA on Thanksgiving Day as part of the Las Vegas Invitational. The following day, the Spartans will match up with either No. 8 North Carolina or Texas. Also worth noting are road games against a pair of respectable programs in Louisville (which received 11 votes in the AP Preseason Poll) and Florida (received 71), which will take place on Nov. 27 and Dec. 8, respectively. Depending on how both Louisville and Florida fare prior to their matchup with the Spartans, they could very well work their way into the rankings. And perhaps the toughest part of it all for the Spartans — none of the aforementioned games will be played in East Lansing. The games against UCLA and North Carolina/ Texas will be played in a neutral setting in Orleans Arena, but the Louisville and Florida matchups will be true road games for the Spartans. MSU owns a 90.9 winning percentage in the Breslin Center over the past two seasons, but when they travel, that winning percentage drops to 54.1. Additionally, the Spartans have lost all seven of their games against ranked opponents played away from the Breslin Center over that same time span.
hefty nonconference schedule will be the lack of opportunities for inexperienced players to gain court time, mainly in games against ranked opponents. “There’s no room to grow here in the next 30 days,” Izzo said. “We’ve got six monster games in that period, and that is the hardest part of scheduling like we schedule.” Izzo already made it clear that freshman forward Aaron Henry will be a part of the rotation, and freshman Foster Loyer – who is the only other non-redshirted freshman on the roster along with Henry – is also expected to get plenty of court time, serving as the backup to starting point guard Cassius Winston. The rest of the freshman class will struggle to pick up minutes. The remainder of the incoming class includes three forwards: Thomas Kithier, Marcus Bingham Jr. and Gabe Brown. “The negative is that — and (Jim) Boeheim told me long ago and he’s right — ‘You don’t get to work those young guys in,’ and that is a negative,” Izzo said. With the future departures of redshirt senior Kenny Goins, and potentially Nick Ward (if he decides to leave for the NBA after flirting with the idea in the offseason) after the season, incoming players will have plenty of chances down the road to gain the experience off the bench they might miss out on in the team’s upcoming treacherous nonconference slate.
IT WILL BE TOUGH FOR NEWCOMERS TO FIND COURT TIME
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THURSDAY, NOVEMB E R 8 , 2 01 8
THE STATE N E WS
Additional members of USAG have had legal action taken against them. Debra Van Horn, an athletic trainer at Karolyi Ranch accused of witnessing and not reporting Nassar’s abuse, was arrested on one charge of second-degree sexual assault of a child this September. The press release includes a letter from Hirshland to USAG gymnasts and the gymnastics community admitting that the organization has failed its membership. It said USAG has the option to voluntarily give up recognition as the national governing body for gymnastics, as steps to revoke recognition have already been taken. The letter said the USOC has given up its trust in USAG after months of working to solve its issues, and is now moving to make radical change. The process to revoke recognition of USAG, according to Hirshland: Identifying a review panel; holding a hearing; issuing a report; and making a recommendation. The outcome could end with the USOC continuing to recognize USAG, or with a complete overhaul of the organization. Hirshland said USOC will “ensure support” for athletes heading to Tokyo 2020, but the committee has not yet communicated shortterm or long-term plans to clubs and gymnasts. Hirshland’s letter ends by thanking the gymnastics community for their support, and encourages those involved to send ideas and suggestions to gymnastics@usoc.org.
THEY WILL BE BETTER PREPARED FOR TOURNAMENT SEASON
Though their nonconference slate will likely hurt the incoming freshmen in terms of getting realgame experience, it should do wonders for the starting five (Josh Langford, Matt McQuaid, Winston, Ward and Goins), especially during tournament season. The Spartans did not fare well in March last season. After falling to U-M in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, MSU lost to Syracuse in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, failing to make it past the second round of the tourney for the third straight season. Their tough nonconference schedule should serve as practice for March, when the games matter most.
A glaring drawback resulting from MSU’s
he United States Olympic Committee is moving to revoke USA Gymnastics’ status as the committee’s governing body for gymnastics, according to a press release from Team USA. USOC CEO Sarah Hirshland said in the release that the committee will work to ensure athletes are still supported to perform, but there are “no perfect solutions” in moving forward. “In the long-term, it will be the critically important responsibility of the recognized gymnastics (national governing body), whether the existing organization or a new one, to lead gymnastics in the United States and build on the supportive community of athletes and clubs that can carry the sport forward for decades to come,” Hirshland said. “We are prepared to identify and help build such an organization.” Last month, former USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny was arrested for tampering with evidence involving ex-MSU and USAG doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse. The evidence was from Nassar’s time spent at USAG’s Karolyi Ranch, a location cited by several survivors as the place they were assaulted. USAG has faced severe criticism for its culture and its handling of Nassar’s abuse. Kerry Perry, who took on the CEO position after Penny resigned, faced similar disapproval as her predecessor. Survivors commented that no changes were being made, and Perry resigned after holding the position less than a year. Nassar is serving a 60-year federal sentence on child pornography-related charges.
U.S. gymnast Simone Biles competes in the floor exercise on Aug. 9, 2016, at the Rio Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Photo courtesy: Mark Reis/Colorado Springs Gazette/Tribune News Service
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