statenews.com | 11/19/13 | @thesnews Michigan State University’s independent voice
Helping hand
Power in art
MSU class focuses on building designs for disabled
MSU alumna looking to give back to area in arts role
campus+city, PAGE 3
features, PAGE 5
Late season rebound Column: Field hockey overcame slow start to year Junior forward Abby Barker Julia Nagy/The State News
SPORTS, Page 6
po l i t i c s
Politicians: Road funds unlikely to come through By Simon Schuster sschuster@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn
At his State of the State address in January, Gov. Rick Snyder called for a $1.2 billion increase in funding to repair and maintain Michigan’s roads. But after a meeting last week between Snyder and legislative leaders, that goal seems no closer to completion than the day it was proposed. According to a Michigan Department of Transportation report released in May, the conditions of Michigan’s roadways will begin to decline without a significant increase in funding. To measure the condition of Michigan roads, the state surveys the roads and rates their condition on a scale of “good,” fair” and “poor.” According to data from the Transportation Asset Management Council collected between 2011 and 2012, 13.77 percent of roads in East Lansing are classified in good condition, 57.46 percent are in fair condition and 28.77 percent are in poor condition. MDOT has been borrowing money from what the department deems “non-sustainable funding sources” since 2001 to continue upkeep of Michigan’s roads, the report said. MSU roads are largely unaffected by state funding. Infrastructure, Planning and Facilities director of engineering and architectural services Dan Bollman said the department is responsible for the upkeep of campus roads, whose funding comes from the university’s general fund. The closed-door meeting last Wednesday between the governor and House and Senate leaders from both parties moved the legislators no closer to a deal to secure increased funding, representatives for leaders in both parties said. Democratic leaders claim Republican proposals are not earnest attempts at collaboraSee ROADS on page 2 u
n ews b ri e f
POPULAR H&M STORE TO OPEN IN MERIDIAN MALL Swedish clothing store H&M is slated to come to the Meridian Mall in Okemos, according to the Lansing State Journal. The clothing company comes as a proposed 18,650-square foot extension located on the north side of the mall, according to a proposal to the Meridian Township Board. The extension would be part of a 30,000-square foot retail space to be filled by H&M and other stores. The town’s application says the expansion would create 50 jobs for the mall. H&M is a popular clothing store selling men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. The Meridian Township Board will hear the plan Tuesday night during a public meeting at 6 p.m. at the township hall’s municipal building, 5151 Marsh Road in Okemos. GEOFF PRESTON
Danyelle Morrow/The State News
Communication junior Nathan Dreifus celebrates a Spartan basket during the game against Portland on Monday at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Pilots, 82-67.
New number one
MSU beats Portland as hype builds over latest national ranking
By Matt Sheehan msheehan@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn
Watching the Green and White his whole life, one of Carter Godfrey’s greatest memories was watching the 2000 Spartans win the national title. MSU 82 Now, 13 years latPORT 67 er, the agribusiness management junior and the rest of the Izzone are watching their Spartans play as the top-ranked team in the nation. “It’s never been like this in the Izzone before, where there are 700 people waiting outside two hours before the game starts,” the Izzone section leader said. “This year, the upper bowl is way bigger than it ever has been and the campout was three times bigger than it was last year.” The Spartans grabbed the No. 1 ranking in the AP and coaches polls for the first time in nearly 13 years Monday, giving the MSU faithful high hopes as team football team
wraps up an impressive season. Head coach Tom Izzo said after Monday’s 82-67 win over Portland that while the top spot in the polls for the third time in program history is nice, it essentially doesn’t mean a single thing. “There’s no rings, there’s no banners … there’s no bonuses,” Izzo said with a smile. “As I was going through it today, I said ‘only three? That is really embarrassing,’ and then you think ‘Wait, no it’s not, it’s really hard to get there.’” For senior guard Keith Appling, however, the No. 1 ranking was even further in the back of his mind throughout the day. “I didn’t even know we were ranked No. 1,” Appling said. “I had to ask the equipment manager if the rankings even came up.” Even if Appling didn’t know the Spartans’ ranking as a team during the day, he certainly played like he knew he was the floor general of the top-ranked team at night. Led by the senior guard’s careertying 25 points, MSU went on a tear
late in the second half to win the team’s second Coaches vs. Cancer Classic game this season. Izzo said after the game that he hasn’t seen a point guard performance that aweinspiring in quite some time. “It was one of the great point guard performances in many, many, many, many years,” Izzo said. “You look at the decisions he made, he should have had 10 or 12 assists … and he just did an unbelievable job defensively.” Senior forward Adreian Payne and sophomore guard Gary Harris also played key roles in the offense, scoring 19 and 15 points, respectively. Branden Dawson, who started the game on the bench, led the game in rebounds with 10. The game, however, wasn’t as smooth sailing for most of the way. Just days after MSU nearly had fans in heart attack mode against Columbia, the Spartans kicked off against Portland on the same foot. By only hitting 7 out of 18 threeSee BASKETBALL on page 2 u
city
Senior guard Keith Appling looks to pass during the game against Portland on Monday at Breslin Center.
po l i c e
Insurance co. opens on Grand River in custody, wilder
denied involvement
By Geoff Preston gpreston@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS
By Katie Abdilla
nn
kabdilla@statenews.com
One of East Lansing’s largest downtown business spaces is officially filled once again as Jackson National Life Insurance Co. opened its doors for business Monday, redesigning and taking over the former Barnes and Noble location at 333 E. Grand River Ave. The building marks a cont inuing pa r t nersh ip between MSU and Jackson National Life. The new office has 135 part-time strategic support associates, including 112 current MSU students and five recent graduates. The property is across the street from MSU for
THE STATE NEWS nn
Khoa Nguyen/The State News
Jackson National VP of Communications Matt Gonring, left, and Jackson National President and CEO Mike Wells, middle, speak with MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon on Monday.
a very practical reason, Mike Wells, president and CEO of Jackson National Life, said during the opening ceremony
Monday afternoon. “We wanted the property See OPENING on page 2 u
During his interrogation, the man accused of committing a series of sexual assaults in East Lansing earlier this year adamantly den ied a ny involvement in any of the attacks before eventually confessing. Wilder Video footage of police interrogating Oswald Scott Wilder after he was apprehended, obtained by The State News through a Freedom of Information Act request, eventually shows him writing
down the details of his attacks. As the interview progressed, the Vernon, Mich., resident broke down, expressing the details of each assault. He came forward about his addiction to crack cocaine and stealing from local stores to feed his habit. Wilder, 26, allegedly assaulted four women, all either MSU students or alumnae, in various locations throughout East Lansing between March 30 and May 16. Wilder said at various points during the interrogation that he had never seen any of the four victims before, and said he didn’t touch or attack anyone. “I’m scared of myself,” Wilder said during the interrogation. See CONFESSION on page 2 u
2 | T he State N e ws | tuesday, November 1 9, 201 3 | state n e ws.com
Police brief confession Police were led to iPod and money stolen from bag
Electronics and money were stolen from a student’s bag between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in IM-Sports West. The victim, a 20-year-old male student, told police he set down his green duffel bag next to Court 2 while he played basketball for about an hour, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said. When he returned, his iPod, valued at about $300, and $54 in cash was taken from his bag. There are no suspects, McGlothian-Taylor said. KATIE ABDILLA
statenews.com th e e x tr a po i n t
Going inside the “Charlie Brown” play If everything went according to plan, MSU’s fourth-quarter fake field goal — code name: Charlie Brown — would not have happened. “I was excited to run it because every time we ran it in practice I ended up scoring a touchdown,” junior punter Mike Sadler said. “But the look that they gave us was different, and I was actually supposed to check out of that and we were supposed to kick a field goal.” Sadler didn’t notice the different alignment at the time, and went ahead with the fake instead of a 45-yard field goal attempt from freshman kicker Michael Geiger. The situation required additional ad-libbing after the snap. STEPHEN BROOKS
Three-day forecast
Tuesday Partly sunny High: 42° Low: 31°
Wednesday Partly sunny High: 47° Low: 39°
Thursday Cloudy High: 48° Low: 36°
basketball
Wilder in part by a tracking device placed on his vehicle in August
MSU pulls away in second half after slow start, shooting struggles against Portland
from page one
from page one
“I just don’t want people to know about what I did.” He could face life in prison if he is convicted. Attorney Paul Toman previously told The State News that Wilder’s case will go straight to trial, but a date has not been set. The Vernon, Mich., resident faces a total of ten charges, including one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of third degree criminal sexual conduct. He also is being charged as a habitual offender. Toman told WLNS he might file a motion to move the trial to another county, for fear Wilder will not get a fair trial. Toman did not return multiple requests for comment Monday. Wilder was arrested in August on another outstanding warrant. In September, he faced testimony of his four alleged victims during his preliminary examination in 54-B District Court. Victim 1 testified that she was walking down Grand River Avenue near the 1100 block when she was grabbed from behind. She said she felt a hand reach up her dress before she fell into a nearby stop sign. According to court documents, police placed a tracking device on Wilder’s vehicle in August after receiving surveillance footage showing him stalking Victim 2 in a Meijer store on Lake Lansing Road the night she was allegedly assaulted. Victim 3 was attacked while trying to unlock the back door to her home. Wilder admitted to attacking Victim 4 and taking her behind a dumpster, saying he didn’t know why he resorted to violence. The victims could not identify Wilder based on any of his physical features other than his height and build. During the exam, East Lansing police Detective Dan Brown testified that each victim’s story of their attack was nearly identical to what Wilder confessed.
pointers, the Spartans were settling for shots early on and going away from the post, causing the heavily-favored home team to walk into halftime with only a 36-32 lead. The Spartans came out of halftime looking as if they were going to pull away, taking an eight-point lead less than two minutes in. However, later in the half, the Spartans went back to the ways of the first half, settling for outside shots as Portland tied the game at 46 with 12:42 left in the game. After missing his first four 3-point shots of the game, junior guard Travis Trice nailed one from the baseline and had a fast break layup to give the Spartans a five-point lead less than a minute after the Pilots tied the game. Both Harris and Appling said that
opening
MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon notes the space is creative, brings different flavor to city from page one
almost on campus so, obviously, we got as close to that as we physically could,” he said. “We want to attract the best and the brightest from Michigan State and East Lansing in a highly desirable location.” Jackson National Life invested about $10 million in the East Lansing office. Wells said he is happy with the investment. “I could bring our shareholders in here and explain the rationale for (the building’s) value as a work center (and its) value for recruiting and retention,” he said. MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon also was on hand
was the moment where they felt like their team was pulling away. “(Trice) really was a spark with the three and the steal,” Harris said. Appling knocked down his fifth three of the game, and Harris hit two of his own back-to-back to give MSU a 60-50 lead. Sophomore forward Matt Costello, who missed the start after a less-than-impressive performance Friday, created noise in Breslin Center after he threw down a dunk with Portland closing in on him. Costello ended his night with four points and five rebounds in ten minutes of play and afterwards said he was pleased with his play. “(Not starting) changed how I played today,” Costello said. “I do feel like I’m playing myself in or out of the starting rotation right now, but today was a step in a good direction.” With less than seven minutes remaining, Trice buried his second three of the game and put the Spartans up 69-54. That all but put the game away, as Portland never got within 13 the remainder of the contest. The Spartans next will travel to New York to play Virginia Tech in the Coaches vs. Classic on Friday at 9:30 p.m.
to commemorate the opening, calling the partnership between Jackson National Life and MSU a mutual benefit for both entities. “They had an idea about this kind of space early on in the process, and we said ‘we’ll do anything we can to help,’” she said. Simon said this is one of the many ways MSU is working to keep young professionals in East Lansing after graduation and longer. “We’re continuing to try to work with others to be here (in East Lansing),” she said. “We’ve also extended our work to alums around the country that are entrepreneurs and see if they’ll come back to this area — it’s a gradual process.” Si mon said she was impressed with the layout of the building. “I’ve been to a lot of IT firms on the coast and, as I said, this space is comparable to those really cool spaces,” she said. “I think it’s important to have a sense of place. This isn’t real-
Continued roads
tion, citing lack of public support for tax increases on gas or vehicle registrations. Snyder’s 2014 executive budget recommendation called for both. Robert McCann, spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, said finding a revenue source for potentially billions of dollars is difficult and takes time. But he said Whitmer and other Democrats have been leading the discussion. “The proposals (Republicans) put out there, I just don’t think are realistic,” McCann said. “If you’re going to do it, you have to absolutely make sure you’re doing it the right
way.” Republican leaders allege the Democratic minority has stonewalled all Republican efforts to address the issue. Ari Adler, spokesman for House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, said Democrats haven’t offered any solution to the funding shortfall. “Quite honestly, I don’t think they want to see anyone succeed while they’re not in control,” Adler said. Meanwhile, the next generation of taxpayers might be on the hook for repairing Michigan’s roadways if the infrastructure is allowed to degrade. The Michigan Department of Transportation report warns that the inability to maintain good roads in the present will lead to “much higher costs” from repairing deteriorated roadways. “The significant improvements in Michigan’s highway network are on the verge of reversal,” the report said. “If additional investment … does not begin soon, the cost to address these needs will continue to escalate.”
ly what you think of when you think of East Lansing.” The city also plans to add more office spaces similar to the Jackson National Life building, East Lansing Planning, Building and Development Director Tim Dempsey said. “We’ve talked about our downtown as more of a evening dow ntow n, and one of the things we can see is more daytime population,” he said. “Through the Downtown Development Authority and our comprehensive plan, there’s been a lot more discussion about having more office use in the downtown.” Although part of the build-
ing was feeling festive, work still was being done, similar to any other Monday. Dietetics freshmen Myranda Castanon started working at Jackson National Life about two months ago. She said she appreciates the company for catering to student needs. “I love the flexible hours, and it’s a really convenient location,” she said. Castanon said she thinks the uniqueness of the work space makes her more productive. “It makes you very focused to work, and it’s not a very bland place to go to work,” she said. “I actually like coming here.”
Democratic leaders say Republicans are standing in the way of proposals and collaboration from page one
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SOLUTION MONDAY’SPUZZLE PUZZLE SOLUTION TO TO MONDAY’S
11/19/13
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit
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1 Trapping device 6 Official records 10 Got an A on 14 Restriction at some fitness clubs 15 Mark from a healed wound 16 Fancy fabric with metallic threads 17 Coral ring 18 Metal to melt down 20 State Department’s purview 22 Anxious feeling 23 Olds Cutlass model 26 Pulp comic that transformed Nick Fury into a super-spy 31 British noblewomen 34 Soda fountain orders 35 Try to win 36 Happy hour pints 37 Sorceress jilted by Jason 38 Ireland’s Sinn __ 39 Dream state letters 40 Suffix with Beatle 41 Theater access 42 Entertainer with many fans? 45 Cling wrap brand 46 “Queen of Soul” Franklin 50 “War of the Worlds” attack 55 Inning-by-inning runs summary 57 Hedren of “The Birds”
58 Bldg. annex 59 Slimmest of margins 60 Actress Falco et al. 61 Gravy vessel 62 Very 63 Like some populations
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1 Major mix-up 2 “__ your life!” 3 Passion, in Pisa 4 Issues 5 Signs up 6 Part of PGA: Abbr. 7 Letters on a Soviet uniform 8 Islands tuber 9 Kazakhstan border sea 10 Keys at the keys 11 Westley portrayer in “The Princess Bride” 12 Punk rock subgenre 13 Bear lair 19 Ancient Britons 21 Belg. neighbor 24 Do more work on, as a persistent squeak 25 In unison 27 Revise 28 Gymnast Comaneci 29 Collect bit by bit 30 LAX posting 31 Has the nerve 32 Billy Joel’s musical daughter 33 Reminder notes 37 Apple computer 38 Roosevelt’s chat spot
40 Short-short skirts 41 Like soda water 43 Natural ability 44 Cleveland NBAer 47 Easy basketball score 48 Aspirations 49 Herb that tastes like licorice 51 Reverberation 52 Ark helmsman 53 Spring flower 54 Rex Stout’s stout sleuth Wolfe 55 Chocolate dog 56 Wedding vow words
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Computer science junior Jordyn Castor can’t learn the concepts of physics the same way her MSU peers do. Castor has been blind since birth after being born 15 weeks premature. When she began taking classes in the College of Engineering, she knew she’d need help from the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at MSU, or RCPD. “When the RCPD produces textbooks, they make Braille diagrams on paper, which is a two-dimensional surface,” Castor said. “So engineering students here have been making different (three-dimensional) models that help me with my classes, because models can be manipulated and touched.” Physiology senior Caitlin McCarthy, who works as an assistive technology assistant at the RCPD, said Braille is able to depict 2D images well but blind students have trouble visualizing 3D without the physical replicas. “We teamed up with the Engineering 100 students to produce (these models). This year we are working on a similar concept, but producing 3D models from the Calculus Three book for the same blind student.” One example is the weights and pulleys that students built for Castor. The weights and pulleys help her understand physical concepts by feeling how the mechanisms interacted. The Engineering 100 students can receive credit for their projects, and contribute toward building something that makes a difference in a student’s academic life. Computer science sophomore Michael Suszan currently is taking EGR 100, Intro to Engineering Design and has been working on developing Braille maps to effectively help blind students navigate MSU’s campus. There’s a stationary, Braille touchpad map in the RCPD in Bessey Hall, Suszan said, but
Advertising sophomore Jade Weever, left, and chemistry and criminal justice freshman Katie Wampler, right, practice their technique during fencing practice Monday at IM West.
“Engineering students have been making different (threedimensional) models that help me with my classes, because models can be manipulated and touched.”
Brian Palmer/The State News
Jordyn Castor, computer science junior
it’s older technology that isn’t portable for students. “Students have to use that map and then go out and hope they ’ve memorized the campus well enough,” Suszan said. “We’re trying to take the same Braille map from the MSU Geography Department and work to develop a pen, that when you touch it to a specific label or building on the map, it’ll play recorded information.” EGR 100, Intro to Engineering Design is required for all engineering students, and on top of the academic benefit, Suszan said he wanted to choose a project that would help people. “This is really the last class I need before I’d be admitted to the College of Engineering, and this is the whole basis of the course — solving problems,” Suszan said. Castor also has played a role in the process through her ow n work in EGR 100, Intro to Engineering Design, making anatomy models for the Asian Aid India School for the Blind, in Bobbili, India. “ T he produc t s t he se students make really do make it across the world,” said Castor, who continues to help students design projects for the RCPD. “(At MSU), we have the resources to create these things and the resources to share them.”
statenews.com To watch a video about the MSU Fencing Club, visit statenews.com/multimedia.
W e at h e r
Severe storm on Sunday leaves lasting effect on E.L. By April Jones ajones@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn
A severe storm whipped through East Lansing on Sunday night, causing damage and power outages for students, residents and officials. The storm started at about 5 p.m. and continued with high winds throughout Sunday night and into Monday. On Monday morning, nearly 600 residents were without power, said Stephen Serkaian, director of communications for the Lansing Board of Water and Light. Wind throughout the day caused more power outages in the Lansing area, totaling roughly 750 powerless homes and businesses. Board of Water and Light officials said power is expected to be restored to all customers by 6 p.m. Wednesday. Crew workers have been
stricter ticket policy enforces student-only transfers croyce@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn
Spartan fans in their respective football, basketball and hockey student section seats will no longer be seeing individuals from outside of MSU filling the bleachers around them. Recent attention toward the revamped student section ticket policy, which allows student section ticket holders to transfer their tickets to the ID cards of other students without a fee, will make it much harder for non-students to attend games in student-specific seats. If the picture on an ID card doesn’t match the person in line at the student section entrance, the individual will be turned away from the gates and the ID could be confiscated. The process of transferring a ticket is now free and can be done online on a computer or smart phone in minutes. “We’re just going to be more vigilant about protecting the interest of our students,” Associate Athletics Director Paul Schager said. “As more students do it the correct way, instead of handing their ID off to somebody, it’ll be better for everybody,” Schager said. A fter the football game against Michigan, officials began discussions as to how MSU’s current policy on the sale and resale of student section tickets could be enforced more aggressively, Schager said. “Anytime you have a highdemand game, it brings certain things to the forefront where you have to be more strict about certain policies,” Schager said. Since today’s MSU identifi-
campus Editor Robert Bondy, campus@statenews.com CITY EDITOR Lauren Gibbons, city@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075
Fencing club works year-round, grabs laughs
at h l e t i c s
By Cayden Royce
3
R e cr e a t i o n
Engineering intro class generating opportunities for disabled students By Celeste Bott
stat e ne ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | T u es day, n ov emb er 19, 2013 |
“As more students do it the correct way, instead of handing their ID off to somebody, it’ll be better for everybody .” Paul Schager, associate athletics director
cation cards are much different than they were in years past, the transfer system could encourage a better turnout for sporting events and provide safety and security for students. “If other people have the ID of someone, it has access to buildings, it has money on it (and) that’s a pretty big risk, so they want you to keep your own ID,” Matthew Martin said, Izzone director at The Association of Future Alumni and marketing senior. “We want MSU students in the MSU student section,” Martin said. Some questions have been raised as to how the policy will affect season ticket holders and MSU students looking to purchase entry to a singlegame, but Martin said basket-
ball fans still will be able to get Izzone points if they transfer their ticket to another student. “The ticket holder still gets any points that the person that goes for them earns,” Martin said. “It’s just as if you went, except it’s on someone else’s ID.” Many students are taking a liking to the further implementation of the ticket policy. “It keeps the Izzone very cohesive and allows it to be the most dominating student section in college basketball,” accounting junior Andrew Balzer said. “The transfer system is really easy. It’s free and takes about five minutes.” The ticket system also allows for more options, such as the return or turnback feature for students who decide they no longer want to attend a game.
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repairing damaged utility poles and removing fallen trees since the storm hit. Serkaian said the severe storm hit most of the Lansing area, so officials have put a high priority into fixing the downed power lines.
Lansing Board of Water and Light reported up to 750 locations without power as of 4 p.m. on Monday “In order to make sure that the safety of our workers are protect-
ed, we have to go through diligently in making sure that lines and poles are replaced properly,” he said. East Lansing Environmental Services Administrator Catherine DeShambo said crews working were notified of the problem and sent to clear fallen trees and blocked roads. “Our number one priority (is) to make the situation safe,” DeShambo said. DTN officials said there hasn’t been much property damage as a result of the storm but they have noticed a few trees down
that needed removal. DTN officials also said the organization expects the weekly maintenance reports to show additional damages when the reports come in later this week as well. Kinesiology sophomore Alek Mitkoski, who lives in one of DTN’s residential apartments, Haslett Arms, said there’s a tree right outside of his apartment that could have came down in the winds. “I live right here — (the tree) can drop any second,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do about it but take cover.”
4 | Th e Stat e N e ws | t ue sday, Novem be r 1 9, 201 3 | stat e n e ws.com
Opinion
Featured blog Sunday storm a life lesson
Ou r voice | E ditorial
Jackson insurance a welcome addition EDITORIAL BOARD Ian Kullgren editor in chief Summer Ballentine Opinion editor Celeste Bott staff representative Anya Rath minority representative
T
he thought of replacing a downtown bookstore with an insurance company is less than exciting, but we’re thankful Jackson National Life Insurance Co. managed to move in without being a real-life version of “Office Space.” Students in particular have criticized the passing of our beloved Barnes & Noble to what we see as the epitome of boring corporate life. That’s right — an insurance company wasn’t our first choice to fill the immense, vacated space at 333 E. Grand River Ave. It’s not a public space to pick up a latte and discuss anything from weekend plans to philosophy, and it isn’t another bar or restaurant. Still, students and community members need to think about what Jackson National Life can,
“Natural disasters can come and go in hours, destroying everything in their path. However, these natural disasters teach us a sobering reality about the world we live in: Some things happen that we have no control over.” — Derek Gartee, State News staff reporter
The Peanut Barrel and will, bring downtown. The company has employed nearly 90 MSU Restaurant. Since work at the students in addition to students from other colleges, such as Lansing Community College. office began, anothUnlike working at Sparty’s Convenience Stores, er 135 people are walkthe insurance company offers work experience ing downtown. Pedestrito propel students’ careers. The work isn’t just a ans on the streets give a boost to the economy way to pay the bills; it’s a valuand help foster a culable resume booster, which isn’t Unlike working at ture that celebrates walking, so easy to find at an on-camSparty’s Convenience not just jumping in and out of pus job. a car everyday. Businesses that The location, a 10-to-15-min- Store, the insurance support walking, such as Jackute walk from most of campus, son Life, help make East Lanalso makes it easier for students agency offers work living on-campus or students experience to propel sing more sustainable in the without cars to get profession- students’ careers. It’s long-term and healthier overall. In time, the company could al experience. keep graduates in the city and The location helps full-time a stepping stone to draw more young families and staffers, too. Employees are finding a job. professionals to East Lansing. encouraged to live in the downIf students start working there town area, where they can walk part-time, their chances for fullor bike to work instead of driving through traffic and parking in the middle time work right after college, or even years down the road, multiply. of East Lansing. Perhaps most importantly, we’re glad the This is a plus for businesses, too. Instead of holing up in the office for coffee and lunch, see the once-vacant space occupied. When the employees can stroll down Grand River Avenue choice is between a struggling business and one to grab a steamy cappuccino at Espresso Royale that’s thriving, or at least doing well enough or grab a quick bite to eat with a coworker at to support hiring, the choice is clear. We can’t
Just so you know
Read the rest online at statenews.com/blog.
afford to be too picky about exactly which businesses choose to set up shop downtown. What’s most important is keeping beautiful spaces from being wasted and turning into an eyesore like the dilapidated buildings across from Rick’s American Café. Expecting an insurance company to help students and boost downtown East Lansing seems counterintuitive, but Jackson National Life has exceeded expectations. Even the feeling of walking past the building and peering into the big glass windows to see the quirky workplace inside is encouraging. Instead of focusing on the loss of a bookstore or trying to imagine how a different business might do better, remember that Jackson National Life is an open door to further transform our city.
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JUST SO YOU KNOW
monday’s poll results
“Professor to return to classes after rant”
No 30%
One 23%
Do you miss class when you’re sick?
37%
None 74%
Today’s state news poll
15% 49% 0
10
20
30 PERCENT
40
50
Yes No
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Only when I’m near death
“This old white guy with dead skin falling off of me will never give Michigan State another dime. I hope tens of thousands of other alumni cut off MSU also an institution that tolerates this in the classroom isn’t worthy of support.” Steve Zeoli, Nov. 18
Total votes: 69 as of 5 p.m. Monday Percentages add up to more than 100 percent because of rounding
“I shudder to think what MSU would be like if it permitted its professors to express only views that you consider ‘worthy of support.’” Another Steve, Nov. 18
editorial cartoonist
“That’s OK. This old white guy will happily continue to donate to a University that values diversity, tolerance, and, most importantly, the 1st Amendment. It’s easy to support all that when the views expressed are popular. What makes this country and an institution like MSU special is the support for these values when the views are unpopular.”
brandon hankins bhankins@statenews.com
Another Old White Guy, Nov. 18
“Interesting that this leftist nutjob is allowed to continue to ‘teach’ at MSU. I wonder if he’d still be in the classroom if he had ranted and raved about Democrats and liberalism....” LovingDoubleStandard, Nov. 18
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How to reach us Questions? Contact Opinion Editor Summer Ballentine at 517-432-3070. By email opinion@statenews.com By fax 517-432-3075 By mail Letters to the Editor, The State News, 435 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823
opinion column
Don’t let pride, shame keep you from food bank
I
’m not exactly who most students would picture going to the MSU Student Food Bank.
I have a home, and clothes that (for the most part) aren’t falling apart at the seams. You won’t see me begging on a corner of Grand River Avenue. I work, but it’s hard to work enough to get by and do well in classes. We’re expected to get jobs to afford college but, ironically, we sometimes have to choose between working to pay rent and studying. Most of the time, I make do by chipping away from my savings account. Needless to say, it’s a little short after four years of school and more than half a year spent on the East Coast for internships, one unpaid. A parking ticket, an oil change or other unexpected expenses are enough to strain my monthly budget. This month started out tighter than usual, so I did something I’ve never done before: I swallowed my pride and went to the MSU Student Food Bank. For students living paycheck to paycheck who don’t have enough,
don’t feel pressured to choose between or anything, left after rent to paying rent and eating every day. pay for groceries, there’s noth“We’re not just there to serve stuing wrong with asking for help. dents who, without us, would go hunSome students depend on the food gry,” Smith-Tyge said. “We’re also bank to survive, and sometimes stuhere to help all students who feel a dents just need staple foods so they little bit of extra help can get them can afford to buy other essentials at over the edge.” the store, said Nate You’re not obligatSmith-Tyge, direcopinion editor ed to go back month tor of the food bank. after month if you only Not every stuneed help once. My dents needs assisfirst trip to the food tance, he said. If bank likely will be my every student lined last. It was enough to up for a few extra get me by until my next boxes of macaropaycheck, and hopeni and cheese, there fully I’ll be able to wouldn’t be enough make it through the for those who truSummer Ballentine sballentine@statenews.com rest of the year withly need it. The MSU out going again. With Student Food Bank any luck, I’ll find a job after graduisn’t a free grocery store, so don’t ation and will be able to help othsaunter into the food bank if your aim er students the way they helped me. is to save your grocery money so you If you don’t know where your next can make a second trip to Harper’s. meal is coming from, or even if you But Smith-Tyge also cautions against don’t know how you’ll manage to shying away from the center if you afford grocery shopping a week from find your grocery fund depleted one now, don’t be afraid to call the food month. You don’t have to be begging bank. More people than you think on the streets to need assistance, so
have been in your shoes, and no one blames you for needing a hand to get through the rough patches. Summer Ballentine is the State News opinion editor. Reach her at sballentine@statenews.com.
Facts about food To receive food assistance at the MSU Student Food Bank, students must have a need for supplemental groceries, be able to provide a student ID and an official copy of their schedule, and not have an on-campus meal plan. Food is distributed every two weeks from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Olin Health Center cafeteria. Food typically includes canned vegetables, fruits and soup; pasta, rice and cereal, among other things. Contact the food bank at 517-432-5136 or foodbank@msu.edu with questions. SOURCE: w w w.msu.edu/~foodbank /
5 | Th e Stat e N e ws | t ues day, n ove m be r 1 9, 201 3
staten e ws.com
Features
Features editor Isabella Shaya, features@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075
fundraiser
replacing and
fixing Food drive gathers muchneeded food for students By Anya Rath arath@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn
Education junior Ryan Erxleben replaces the crank on a bike Monday at the MSU Bikes Service Center, 434 Farm Lane. The bike needed repair after the rider was hit by a turning car on the north side of campus. Margaux Forster | The State news
community
Executive art director, alumna plans more art By Christine LaRouere clarouere@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn
Passion for the arts and its development is something MSU alumna Debbie Mikula has had since middle school. Now, as the newly elected executive director of t he A r t s Council of Greater LanMikula sing, Mikula said she will continue acting as an arts administrator and being involved with the success of artists and art organizations. “Our work is to help them build a strong foundation of business,” Mikula said. “I want to identify challenges organi-
zations face in the area, and advocate and advance arts and culture by bringing those forces together.” As for incorporating MSU, Mikula said she and the council will continue to work with the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum and Wharton Center, but will try to bring back programs that work with groups of students in arts and culture. “I want to look at that to see if this is something to bring back,” Mikula said. “Working with students is another aspect of our work that has interest to me.” The Arts Council of Greater Lansing provides funding, resources, education and consulting services to hundreds of artists and 140 cultural and arts agencies throughout the greater Lansing area.
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The council works to make art accessible to residents. After having about 35 years of experience in the arts and helping the council when she was executive director of the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies, Mikula felt she knew the organization well enough to be its leader. “Six years ago, I facilitated (the council’s) strategic planning session that moved them in a new direction,” Mikula said. “I feel I know the organization really well.” After hearing that the former executive director Leslie Donaldson changed positions, Mikula jumped on the opportunity to take the job. “When I saw this was open and Leslie was moving up, I said to myself, ‘This is perfect,’” she said.
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Mikula graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theater and said she still uses the skills she learned in college to do her job today. Learning how to collaborate effectively, brainstorm ideas and being resourceful are some of these skills. “It’s because I came from the theater I recognize I can make magic wherever I am at,” Mikula said. “I have a ‘can do’ attitude, and I take that attitude in everything I do.” For the future, Mikula said she wants to help artists and organizations succeed not only creatively, but also on the business side. “I will be helping to give them advice on how to market and how they deal with financial issues,” Mikula said. “We are here to help them to a better job.”
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RECEPTIONIST NEEDED for The State News beginning in January. Schedules are created based upon availability. Must be current MSU student and be available Tues & Thurs from 10am-12pm. Go to www.statenews.com/ work to download a business office application or stop by The State News at 435 E. Grand River Ave. between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Applications accepted until Wednesday, November 27th RETAIL SALES Clerk Delphi Glass p/t includes weekends. Apply @ 3380 E. Jolly Rd. 394-4685 or jobs@delphiglass.com
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Yesterday marked the launch of the seventh annual MSU Help Tackle Hunger Food Drive, a collaborative effort between Residential and Hospitality Services and MSU’s athletics department. The Help Tackle Hunger Food Drive is collecting canned food, non-perishable food, personal care items and monetary donations around campus until Nov. 29. The final collection will be on Nov. 30, during the MSUMinnesota football game, at various drop-off points around Spartan Stadium. All proceeds directly benefit the MSU Student Food Bank. Goods will be collected at the Union, Kellogg Center, University Village’s community center, Spartan Village’s community center, Surplus Store and Recycling Center and MSU Federal Credit Union locations and every residence hall service center. Additionally, IM SportsEast and IM Sports-West will be hosting a Food for Fitness program to allow free access to the facilities in exchange for two to three canned food items. “During these tough times, ... when the food banks are usually running critically short, this is a positive way to have an MSU community effort to help fill those food
banks back up,” Bill Kost, associate director of retail food services with MSU Culinary Services, said. Sparty’s Convenience Stores also are accepting monetary donations. Nate Smith-Tyge, the director of the MSU Student Food Bank, said while every donation is helpful, monetary donations are particularly useful because the food bank can purchase even more food. Roger Merrifield, the acting manager of creative services for Residential and Hospitality Services, said the food drive usually collects between 4,000-5,000 pounds of food and about $1,000 to $1,500 in monetary donations. “It’s a lifesaver for an awful lot of students,” Merrifield said. Smith-Tyge said the event is one of the biggest and most beneficial events for the MSU Student Food Bank. The food bank provides free food to any MSU student who does not have a meal plan and is in dire need of assistance. The food bank, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, serves around 250 to 300 students and their families every other Wednesday. Smith-Tyge added that the food bank averages around 4,000 student clients every year. “I think (at) every distribution, we see the impact of how the food bank helps students deal with food insecurity,” Smith-Tyge said. “These kind of events will always come together and help make a difference.”
statenews.com Entertainment
Batkid serves as inspiration
San Francisco transformed into Batman’s Gotham City last Friday to fulfill the dreams of a 5-year-old boy who has battled leukemia for years, reported ABC News. Miles Scott was called into service, and costume, by Police Chief Greg Suhr to help save Gotham City as “Batkid.” With the help of an adult Batman impersonator, Scott rescued a woman from cable car tracks, stopped the Riddler from robbing a bank and saved the San Francisco Giants mascot from the notorious villain, Penguin. At the end of the day, the mayor handed Scott a key to the city, much to the child’s delight. Anya Rath
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Horoscope By Linda C. Black 10 IS THE EASIEST DAY — 0 THE MOST CHALLENGING
Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7 — Stand on your toes for a while. A surprise is in the works. It requires patience and flexibility, but you can handle it. Your communications go farther than expected; make them count. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 9 — Tempers are running short, but there’s no need to dwell in any arguments. Focus on chores that increase your income, and postpone the unnecessary ones. There are more goodies coming in, if you keep your eyes open. Collect them.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7 — Finances are in a state of flux for the better. There’s more money available than it seems. Group participation contributes. Share the wealth, give and receive. A pizza party could be in order. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 7 — A disruption breaks your routine. Find the motivation to get the job done. The deadline’s right around the corner. Count on your friends for help, and return the favor. Talk is cheap. Have a backup plan.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is an 8 — You’re a powerhouse right now, and that can be intimidating to others. There may be a disagreement about priorities. Compromise without compromising your integrity or commitment. Keep the trains on time, and then take time to relax and appreciate.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8 — More challenges head your way. Your actions and intentions could seem thwarted by circumstances. Keep your humor. Study the terrain. The surprises you encounter could be refreshingly fun. Keep costs down. Physical games are good.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 6 — Avoid grumpy people. Spend time with family or by yourself doing the things you love. Blow off steam on the basketball court or by climbing a mountain (metaphorical or literal). Take care of your spirit.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7 — Work together to get farther. Your partner has what you need. Things may not always go according to plan. From the ashes rises the Phoenix. Get creative with an original plan, and articulate your message.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is an 8 — Gently rearrange the facts and make them work. Put in a correction and minimize financial risk. Focus on what you have in common rather than your differences and avoid the obvious argument. Use your words to build partnership. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 9 — Take action to provide great service, rather than just talking about it. Some ideas may not work. Keep your stinger sheathed. Avoid reckless spending. Little by little, pay back what you owe. Try a partner’s suggestion. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7 — A new idea has bugs, but it works! Don’t throw money at the problem. Use imagination. Make a fool of yourself if necessary. It could get fun. Look on the bright side, and share that with cohorts. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 6 — It’s good to let another drive now. A fantasy seems more real than facts. Go with the flow and stay flexible but without excluding doing what you promised. Draw on your reserves. Get creative at home.
state n e ws.com | The State N ews | tu esday, n ovemb er 19, 2013 |
Sports THE STATE NEWS nn
After a stellar first week of her college basketball career, the Big Ten announced Monday redshirt freshman guard Aerial Powers was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week. It was the first time an MSU player was awarded the conference’s Freshman of the Week since junior forward Becca Mills did so on Nov. 14, 2011. Powers has been a spark to the MSU women’s basketball team in her first games in a Spartan uniform and led MSU to two wins in its first three games, including an overtime victory against then-No. 23 Dayton. In t he t wo w i ns, Powers averaged 21.5 points, 7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals. Despite turning the ball over nine times against Dayton, Powers was critical in forcing the game into overtime, as well as leading MSU to the win. She hit a 7-foot floater with 10 seconds left in regulation to tie the game and force the extra period. “I love her aggressiveness,”
head coach Suzy Merchant said. “Sometimes that can get her in trouble with decisionmaking, but she played so hard today. “It was the best all-around game I’ve seen her play, even though she may have had more turnovers than she needed to have.” Powers’ success comes just a year after being sidelined because of a torn Achilles tendon, which forced her to redshirt. With only five games under her belt, preseason included, Powers still is prone to committing turnovers, but Powers said she tries to forget her mistakes and focus on the next play, something Merchant said Powers and freshman guard Tori Jankoska do well. “Since the first game to now, I’ve literally been working on just remembering to forget the last play,” Powers said. “The big thing with me, what made me do that better was last year … I tore my Achilles and this year I said, ‘You should be happy and appreciative to play, so you thinking about mistakes is you kind of being unappreciative … Last year, you weren’t even able to
walk, and now you’re able to walk run (and) jump, so just appreciate it and do your best.” Powers had 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals against Dayton. Her 24 points was tied for a team-high with Jankoska. Powers’ and Jankoska’s 24 points were the most points a Spartan freshman has scored since April 5, 2008. Powers also was one of three players in the Big Ten named to the Player of the Week honor roll. “They’re gamers and that’s just how you have to assess what they do,” Merchant said of Powers and Jankoska. “They want the ball in their hands.” Senior forward and co-captain Annalise Pickrel is thirdleading scorer behind the two freshman, as well as the team’s leading rebounder. Pickrel praised Powers’ ability to listen and follow, as well as lead the team during points in the game. “My freshman year I certainly would not have been able to do that,” Pickrel said. “It takes a lot of pressure off me and Klarissa (Bell), because it’s so hard to lead when people don’t follow.”
Field Hockey
Omari Sankofa osankofa@statenews.com
Field hockey overcame rough start Big Ten Champions. A 14-10 overall record. An Elite Eight exit in the NCAA Tournament. By all means, the 2013 season is the most successful season for the field hockey team since 2009, and the best of head coach Helen Knull’s three-year head coaching tenure. Thankfully, the season didn’t end after nine games. With a 3-6 start to the season, the prospects didn’t look good early on. The Spartans struggled to finish games, and losing junior forward Abby Barker to injury for several games early in the season didn’t help matters. The team expressed optimism before the Big Ten season started, as they viewed conference play as an opportunity to get back on track. From the beginning of Big Ten season on, MSU’s fortunes skyrocketed. Barker returned to the lineup and resumed the scoring pace she set during her sophomore year. They began to show greater poise in the second half of games. And most important, the team looked confident in buying into what they were capable of. They went 4-2 in Big Ten play, and could have gone undefeated in the conference if it weren’t for losing a halftime lead in double-overtime to Penn State and a close loss against Northwestern. They ended the regular season with a win over Iowa to pull to .500, and won three more consecutive games during the surprise Big Ten Tournament run. A program-defining sea-
Danyelle Morrow/The State News
Junior forward Abby Barker runs the ball away from Miami (Ohio) back Shannon Regan on Nov. 13, 2013, at Ralph Young Field. The Spartans defeated the Redhawks, 3-0.
son didn’t appear to be in the cards at first. But seasons aren’t defined by the beginning, but the end. It was an impressive transformation, one that almost seemed to happen overnight. Knull credits the team’s selfbelief for the strong push. It’s likely the team underachieved to begin the season. The two wins during the NCAA tournament run were against Miami (OH) and Syracuse, two teams that shut the Spartans out during the regular season. Syracuse, who was the No. 2 seed, had won 45 straight home games before falling to the Spartans in round one. That’s a heck of an upset win and a program win MSU pulled off. The 2009 field hockey team was a favorite going into the Big Ten Tournament. The 2013 team? Knull believed her team wouldn’t have qualified for an NCAA Tournament berth without winning the Big Ten Tournament, and even then, her team played a play-in game to move to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The 2013 field hockey team wasn’t supposed to go on a
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ME n ’ s S o c c e r
In first week of career, Powers earns conference honors dblalock@statenews.com
#snDailynumber
sports editor Matt Sheehan, sports@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075
Women’s Basketball
By Derek Blalock
6
run. They weren’t supposed to become Big Ten Champions. They weren’t supposed to make it to the Elite Eight. But they believed in themselves and beat the odds. Omari Sankofa is a State News sports reporter. Reach him at osankofa@statenews.com.
Soccer grabs first-round bye in NCAA Tournament
Number of points MSU guard Aerial Powers scored Sunday.
By Zach Smith
Senior defender Kevin Cope attempts to steal the ball from Michigan forward James Murphy on Nov. 9, 2013, at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.
zsmith@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn
The season isn’t over for the men’s soccer team. Despite a 1-0 loss to Indiana Sunday afternoon in the Big Ten Tournament Championship game, the Spartans earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. MSU will have a bye in the first round and will host the winner of Louisville vs. Denver Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium. “There are 207 teams in Division I college soccer,” head coach Damon Rensing told his squad before the selection show began. “But it’s still a privilege to be one of those 48, and it’s not an easy task. You all did a great job, and I’m excited to start the second season with you guys.” As an 11-seed, the Spartans are the only seeded Bi g Te n t e a m i n t he tournament. Louisville is 11-4-3 coming into the tournament. The Cardinals won 3-0 at Indiana and tied Ohio State in the regular season, and drew with both Northwestern and Michigan in exhibition matches. D e nve r i s r id i ng a n 8-game winning streak and a 14-game unbeaten streak after winning the Summit League Tournament. The Pioneers haven’t lost since Sept. 14. “Denver is a talented team who has been winning a lot of games,” Rensing said. “Louisville is very well-coached, and ver y experienced. (They’ve) been to the College Cup and had some deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. The winner of that game will be tough.” Over the season, MSU has picked up a few injuries, so the bye is a blessing in more than one way. Junior defender Ryan Keener and junior forward Ada m Montag ue didn’t play in the Big Ten Tournament Championship game, and senior defender Kevin Cope wore a flak jacket to protect his broken ribs. Cope said that the extra time off is a good break for more than just those recovering from injuries. “We just spent a week in a hotel, so guys are physically drained and emotionally drained,” he said. “Hav-
FOR A
Danyelle Morrow/The State News
ing those extra days off, the focus will be there, but not necessarily the intensity. Not having to worry about that intensity will give guys a chance to be refreshed and be good for Sunday.” Penn St., Wisconsin, Northwestern and Indiana are the other Big Ten teams in the tournament, and all have first round games. Indiana, the 2012 NCAA champions, will face off against 2011 NCAA champions Akron in a matchup that elicited a big response from the ever-curious Spartans. MSU was what Rensing said was a “bubble seed” team, with wins on the road against tournament teams like Indiana, Northwestern and Marquette.
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But the beauty of this tournament is that it gives the Spartans an opportunity to play teams they otherwise would match up with. “We’ll be able to find out enough about those teams,” junior forward Tim Kreutz said. “Louisv ille is f rom the Midwest. Denver plays big-time schools and we’re a big-time school, so we know a lot about big schools in the country. For Rensing, the formula for making a deep run towards the College Cup Final in Philadelphia is to keep doing what has gotten them this far all season. “We don’t need to change a whole lot,” he said. “We don’t need players to be Superman to get further.”
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