Thursday 12/10/15 by The State News

State News The

2015 See page 4 for the stories that shaped this year

STATE NEWS FILE PHOTOS

PROFILE

SPORTS

INSIDE

Theatre professor fights gender roles

Counting down the key plays that defined a successful season

Comparing MSU’s intramural facilities to other nearby schools

One of the only women in the Society of American Fight Directors works at MSU — PAGE 2

The Spartans had several big games in a season that could see them in the national championship, we run down the top five — PAGE 6

After numerous student complaints, The State News traveled to see what improvements can be made to the lacking infrastructure — PAGE 8

T HU R S DAY, DE C E M B E R 10, 2 015

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RELIGIOUS GUIDE Look for this directory in the paper every Thursday and online at: www.statenews.com/religious Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd., E. Lansing Between Hagadorn & Park Lake Rds. (517) 337-9703 Sunday Worship: 10am Adult Bible Study: 9am ascensioneastlansing.org Chabad House of MSU Your Jewish home, away from home 540 Elizabeth St. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 214-0525 chabadmsu.com Friday evenings: 20 minutes after sunset followed by Shabbat dinner Saturday: 11am, Torah reading at 12pm

Lansing Church of God in Christ 5304 Wise Rd., Lansing, MI 48911 http://lansingcogic.org/ Worship hours Sunday: 10:30am, 5:00pm Monday Family Prayer: 6:00pm

Little Flock Christian Fellowship A Non-DenominationalEvagelical Church MSU Alumni Chapel (Basement Hall) Sunday Worship Service: 10am-12 Noon. Fellowship Lunch after the service Weekly Bibly Studies & Students’ Meetings. Eastminster Presbyterian Church littleflock.msu@gmail.com 1315 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, www.littleflock.org MI, 48823 (517) 337-0893 Martin Luther Chapel www.eastminsterchurch.org 444 Abbot Rd. Sunday School for All Ages: East Lansing, MI 48823 9:30am (517) 332-0778 Sunday Worship: 10:30am martinlutherchapel.org UKirk Presbyterian Campus Sunday: 9:30am & 7:00pm Ministry Wednesday Worship: 9pm www.ukirkmsu.org Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) Faith Fellowship Baptist Church Peoples Church 1001 Dakin St. 200 W. Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 853-9897 (517) 332-6074 Sunday Morning Worship: 11am www.peoples-evolution.org Wednesday Prayer and Bible Sunday Worship: 8:30am, Study: 6:30pm 9:30am Van service available to Tuesday: Love Life: 7-9pm church Wednesday: Dinner at Campus Bible Study: 5:30pm, Journey at 6:30 Thursday at 7:30pm in Chemistry Bldg. River Terrace Church www.ffbc.us 1509 River Terrace Dr. East Lansing, MI 48823 First Baptist Church of (517) 351-9059 Okemos www.riverterrace.org 4684 Marsh Rd. Service times: 9 & 11:15am Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 349-2830 St. John Catholic Church www.fbcokemos.org/worship and Student Center Sunday worship: 10:45am 327 M.A.C. Ave. Greater Lansing Church East Lansing, MI 48823 of Christ (517) 337-9778 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. stjohnmsu.org East Lansing, MI Sunday: 8am, 10am, Noon, (Meeting at the University 5pm, 7pm Christian Church building) Monday, Wednesday, (517) 898-3600 Friday: 12:15pm Students welcome! Tuesday & Thursday: 9:15pm Sunday Worship: 8:45am Sunday Bible class: 10am Wednesday: 7pm - praise and The Pentecostals of East Lansing worship 16262 Chandler Rd. Students please feel free to East Lansing, MI 48823 call for rides (517) 337-7635 http://www.greaterlansingwww.pentecostalel.org coc.org Like us on Facebook! Hillel Jewish Student Center Sunday worship: 11am Thursday Bible study: 7pm 360 Charles St., E. Lansing Thursday young adult group: (517) 332-1916 8:30pm Friday Night Wednesday campus Bible Services: 6pm, Dinner: 7pm study: 8pm at MSU library September - April

The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 940 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/

News

Josh Thall and Ray Wilbur Student Issues editor Public Concerns editor campus@statenews.com @thesnews

Assistant professor one of only four in her profession

Trinity Church 3355 Dunckel Rd. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-3820 Saturday: 6pm Sunday: 9:15am, 11am trinitywired.com Unity Spiritual Renaissance 230 S. Holmes St. Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 484-2360 or (517) 505-1261 Sunday: 10:30am Wednesday: 6:30pm meditation University Baptist Church 4608 South Hagadorn Rd East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4144 www.ubcel.org 10 AM Worship Service 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 Sunday School University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-5193 universitychristianwired.com Sunday: 11:15 am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15 am University Lutheran Church (ELCA) One Community: Lutheran/ Episcopal Campus Ministry 1020 South Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-2559 www.facebook.com/onecommunitymsu Sunday Worship 9:30am 7pm Wed Student-Led Worship @MSU Alumni Chapel University United Methodist Church MSU Wesley 1120 S. Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-7030 universitychurchhome.org msuwesley.org Sunday: 10:30am 9:00am Garden Service in the summer TGIT: 8:00pm Thursdays Sept. - April WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbot Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 580-3744 www.msu.edu/~weisluth 6:00pm Saturday

Religious Organizations: Don’t be left out of the Religious Directory! Call 517-432-3000 today to speak with an Account Executive

Theatre assistant professor Christina Traister demonstrates some moves with theatre sophomore Mike Merluzzi, as she teaches a stage fight class on Tuesday at IM Sports-Circle. Assistant professor Traister is one of four certified female stage fight directors with the Society of American Fight Directors. PHOTO: DEJAH DARKINS

“In the Department of Theatre we all believe in continuing to work professionally,” Traister said. “I’m constantly in the professional world Out of the 46 certified Society of American Fight fighting, acting and recording books. I can be on Director members in the world, only four of them the cutting edge and bring that into the classare women, and only one of them works at MSU. room. So it’s constantly changing and if you’re Christina Traister, an MSU graduate acting a part of the present (acting) world it makes my program director and assistant professor in the teaching more relevant.” Despite working in a male-dominated world, MSU Department of Theatre, is a professional actor, director, teacher and one of few on-stage Traister said she has never let that perspecfight directors with the SAFD certification. Trais- tive affect her. She said being a female gives ter has taught and performed across the US and her an advantage in the on-stage fight directinternationally at countless Shakespeare festi- ing industry. “I’m in a male-driven vals and theatre companies. world, but I don’t think of it “I’ve been in over 50 shows, “My philosophy that way,” Traister said. “I’ve and I’ve created violence for is work your butt always been treated very well. over 100 shows,” Traister ... I’ve had a very feminine actsaid. “I’ve also narrated over off, have a work ing career, but I’m also very 100 books. My fight (directethic and be that much a tomboy, athletic and ing) has taken me all over person people physical. I feel very fortunate the world. I’ve taught master classes in London, Ireland, want to work with. ... because I’m not a stereotypical fight guy. More peoScotland, Germany and CanYou have to train ple are open to me and my ada — I’ve also done stunt hard and be able to experience.” shows in Taiwan.” Traister said she has used With a resume approaching show that you are her experiences as a wom20 pages, Traister has exten(on) the highest an to fuel her while on stage sive experience on stage and level of your game directing. behind the scenes. Traister whether you’re “I was in the San Francissaid her experience is reflectco Bay area, where I directed ed in the classroom. male or female.” sexual assault on stage,” Tra“I’m the graduate acting Christina Traister, ister said. “I made sure the director mentoring grad stuMSU graduate acting actors felt safe so they felt dents pursuing an acting program director more comfortable performing, degree,” Traister said. “I teach and I think a lot that had to classical acting for senior do with me being a woman.” undergraduate students. OthTraister said she believes in any career, indier days I teach stage combat and movement. My teaching style is pretty accessible. I’m very much viduals should work hard and maintain a posiin an ensemble-based career, so I’m very hands tive work ethic. “My philosophy is work your butt off, have a on, and a lot of my classes are more practicum work ethic and be that person people want to than lectures.” Despite being a college professor, Traister still work with,” Traister said. “You have to train hard works in the professional world. She said she val- and be able to show that you are (on) the highues the benefits of continuing her work in the est level of your game whether you’re male or female.” professional acting community. BY ASHLEE KRAWCZYK

AKRAWCZYK@STATENEWS.COM

T H E STAT E NE WS

T H U R S DAY, D E C E M B E R 1 0, 2 01 5

Contents INSIDE

What sights to see on the road to the Cotton Bowl

MSU Figure Skating Team puts in work on and off the ice

Stefanie Haapala leaves her heart on the stage when performing

PAGE 5

PAGE 10

PAGE 12

THE STATE NEWS WILL RESUME PUBLICATION ON JAN. 11 STAY WITH STATENEWS.COM FOR UPDATES

BY TH E N U M B E RS

“I have definitely made a lot of friends within my team and other teams... I have definitely met some great people.” Samantha Loscalzo, member of the Greater Lansing Sport and Social Club See Page 11

Victories for MSU football this season. Will the Cotton Bowl make 13?

Connor Cook named nation’s top college quarterback, wins the 2015 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award BY MATTHEW ARGILLANDER MARGILLANDER@STATENEWS.COM

MSU senior quarterback Connor Cook has been regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the country all season long. Tuesday afternoon that talk was validated with some hardware. Cook’s play this season has earned him the 2015 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually since 1987 to the nation’s top college quarterback. “Johnny Unitas was one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time,” Cook said. “He was a championship player and his accomplishments are absolutely incredible. To be able to go to Baltimore where he played and win an award in his name is stuff you dream about growing up, and to actually live it will be an amazing opportunity that I’m really looking forward to.” Candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award must be college seniors or fourth-year juniors on schedule to graduate with their class. Aside from their on-field accomplishments, candidates are also judged on their character, cit-

An overlooking view of the basketball space on Nov. 6 at Ohio State University. To read more about how the facilities at OSU rival those at MSU, see page 8. PHOTO: SUNDEEP DHANJAL

izenship, scholarship achievement and leadership qualities. The other finalists for the award included TCU’s Trevone Boykin, USC’s Cody Kessler, Memphis’ Paxton Lynch and Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott. The senior has thrown for 2,921 yards and 24 touchdowns en route to a 12-1 season and a berth in the College Football Playoff Semifinal against Alabama. “I’m very honored and thankful for receiving this prestigious award,” Cook said. “I couldn’t be happier, but really it’s a whole team effort. The credit really goes to our entire offense — we have great receivers who get open, quality running backs who fight for yards, and a great offensive line that protects me and allows us to be successful. Everyone on the offense puts us in a situation to win games.” Cook is just the second Big Ten quarterback, Wisconsin’s Scott Tolzien in 2010 being the first, to win the award. He will be presented the trophy on Friday, Dec. 11 at the Embassy Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel & The Grand. Read more at statenews.com EDITORIAL STAFF (517) 432-3070

VOL . 106 | NO. 30

CONTACT THE STATE NEWS (517) 432-3000 NEWSROOM/CORRECTIONS (517) 432-3070 feedback@statenews.com GENERAL MANAGER Marty Sturgeon (517) 432-3000 ADVERTISING M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (517) 432-3010 ADVERTISING MANAGER Corey Mack 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 Mondays and Thursdays during the academic year. Subscription rates: $5 per semester on campus; $125 a year, $75 for one fall or spring semester, $60 for summer semester by mail anywhere in the continental United States. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the MSU community. Additional copies $0.75 at the business office only. State News Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Ave. during business hours.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Olivia Dimmer MANAGING EDITOR AJ Moser PUBLIC CONCERNS EDITOR Ray Wilbur STUDENT ISSUES EDITOR Josh Thall SPORTS EDITOR Ryan Squanda FEATURES EDITOR Meagan Beck DESIGN EDITOR Emily Jenks PHOTO EDITOR Julia Nagy COPY CHIEF Casey Holland Copyright © 2015 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich.

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T H U RS DAY, DE C E MB E R 1 0, 2 01 5

TH E STATE N E WS

Spotlight YEAR IN REVIEW: 2015’s TOP STORIES BY RACHEL FRADETTE RFRADETTE@STATENEWS.COM

From MSU sports success to issues in administration, 2015 was another big year for Spartans. Here are the most memorable stories from The State News for the year.

JANUARY:

MSU football won the Cotton Bowl over the Baylor Bears in an exciting comeback game.

MARCH:

MSU basketball had an underdog run in March Madness. The team made it to the Final Four after defeating favorite Louisville in the Elite Eight. The streets of Cedar Village lit up after MSU Basketball’s win over Louisville to advance to the Final Four in March. Thirteen people were arrested and faced charges from disorderly conduct to being within 300 feet of an open flame. Bagels were thrown and fires were set during the celebrations. Police estimated nearly 750 people gathered on Waters Edge Drive to celebrate MSU’s Elite Eight victory. Then-senior running back Nick Hill looks up to the ceiling after kissing the trophy on Jan. 1 after The Cotton Bowl Classic football game against Baylor at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Spartans defeated the Bears and claimed the Cotton Bowl Victory, 42-41. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO

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THE STATE N E WS

THURSDAY, DECEMB E R 1 0, 2 01 5

JUNE:

The Board of Trustees voted to raise tuition by 2.7 percent making this the sixth consecutive year the board has raised tuition. The raise remained under the state cap. Other universities including Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University raised above the cap forfeiting state funding. The board also voted in a campus-wide smoking ban that will take effect in fall 2016.All tobacco-related products are included in the ban.

SEPTEMBER:

The Office of Institutional Equity was created earlier this year to handle complaints of not just sexual assault, but relationship violence and other forms of discrimination. Months later, The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or OCR, announced the Title XI case findings that MSU had mishandled several sexual assault cases. OCR found MSU did not resolve two separate sexual assault cases in accordance with OCR mandates. The OCR found that two of the three cases investigated were mishandled. “This is a big problem and we need to be part of the solution,” President Lou Anna K. Simon said in a previous State News story.

OCTOBER:

The trustees approved a plan during their October meeting to install solar arrays on parking lots all over campus through the Energy Transition Plan. The $2.5 million project will connect the MSU electrical grid to the electrical output of the solar Students get arrested after setting fire to a backpack and sweatshirt after the Spartan win over Louisville March 29 at Cedar Village Apartments. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO

powered panels. The western portion of Parking Lot 83 off Trowbridge Road closed on Oct. 9 to begin construction on the project. Breslin Center is set to receive some updates to facilities and a brand new addition to the building. The Board of Trustees voted in November to allocate university funds to begin the renovation of Breslin Center and the creation of the Hall of History, a tribute to MSU basketball’s best for both women and men. The $50 million project will have $30 million provided by the university to go towards the facilities’ updates and MSU Athletics will raise $20 million to construct the new addition

NOVEMBER:

Following the findings of OCR, four women filed a Title IX lawsuit against MSU, President Simon and Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Denise Maybank for mishandling of their sexual assault cases. The women are currently seeking economic damages as a result of their botched cases. Former President Bill Clinton visited campus in November to accept the Spartan Statesmanship Award for Distinguished Public Service at the Governor Jim Blanchard Public Service Forum at Kellogg Center. Blanchard and his wife, Janet, established the forum in May following a $1 million donation to MSU. Clinton accepted the award and served as the keynote speaker to an audience ranging from legislators to students. Prior to former President Bill Clinton’s speech, a group of protesters locked arms and blocked entrances to bring attention to campus racism and issues. The protest began in the Brody Neighborhood grotto at a “National Black Out Day” dialogue and then moved to Kellogg Center. The protesters have since met with President Simon and held another forum to discuss campus racism.

DECEMBER:

After defeating Oregon, University of Michigan and Ohio State University, MSU went on to face and defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship. Following a 16-13 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, Cedar Village erupted with celebrations. A giant teddy bear and dumpster were set on fire, among other things. Eight individuals were arrested for revelries in Cedar Village after Saturday night, East Lansing Police Department Lt. Scott Wrigglesworth said. At the end of the night, 13 fires had been set. MSU football finished the regular season ranked No. 3 and will make their playoff debut on Dec. 31. MSU Basketball is officially ranked No. 1 in the week 5 AP Poll ranking as of Dec. 7.

AJ Moser Managing editor amoser@statenews.com @thesnews

Sights to see on the way to the Cotton Bowl BY MCKENNA ROSS MROSS@STATENEWS.COM

Start: East Lansing, Mi Graceland Mansion, Memphis, Tennessee Rise No. 1, Dallas, texas

Superman Statue, Metropolis, Illinois

Little Rock Central high School National Historic Site, Little Rock, Arkansas

Finish: AT &T Stadium, Arlington, Texas ILLUSTRATION: EMILY JENKS

With the Spartans heading to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and three weeks of free time until then, a road trip might just be the thing to get students’ minds off of school. The 1,155 mile car ride might not sound appealing, but a trip through the heart of the country with friends or family has plenty of restaurants, museums and sites to make it all memorable. Whether you have 20 minutes or a few hours to sightsee, The State News found a few places for you to check out on your way to Dallas. SUPERMAN STATUE, METROPOLIS, ILLINOIS This 15-foot statue is great for comic book fans. The town celebrates Superman with a convention in June every year, so you know you won’t be the only DC Comics fans in the area. Distance from route: about 50 minutes Cost: Free GRACELAND MANSION, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE Elvis Presley fans won’t want to miss this stop. The Graceland Mansion, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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T H U RS DAY, DE C E MB E R 1 0, 2 01 5

TH E STATE N E WS

MSU FOOTBALL’S 2015

Junior left tackle Jack Conklin November 7

JOURNEY TO THE PLAYOFFS Off to a good start

“REACH HIGHER” IS BORN

September 26

August 12

“A benchmark for us is going to be certainly getting to the playoffs and all those type of things,” head coach Mark Dantonio said at the first football press conference of the season. “That’s where our goals are.” —Head Coach Mark Dantonio

PHOTO: ALICE KOLE

August

After the Spartans received their first and only loss of the season to Nebraska 39-38. “We’ve grown as a team,” Conklin said. “You’re not going to see us dwell on that and it’s not going to affect us in the next few games, if anything it is going to propel us to play even better.”

September 12

After the victory against the Oregon Ducks, MSU rose to No. 4 in the AP Poll.

Spartans improve to 4-0 with a 30-10 victory against Central Michigan “I still feel like we have not played our best football game, and part of that is because when (everybody) comes to Spartan Stadium or they come to play Michigan State, we’re going to get everybody’s best shot,” Dantonio said We understand that, but that’s part of the deal.”

September

MIRACLE IN ANN ARBOR October 17

Redshirt freshman defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson returned a U-M muffed punt 38 yards for the game-winning touchdown as time expired in The Big House. He went down with a season-ending hip injury when tackled into the end zone.

seconds MSU led against U-M until the gamewinning touchdown

PHOTO: JULIA NAGY

SENIOR QUARTERBACK CONNOR COOK

ON TO ARLINGTON December 6

“We embrace being an underdog. It’s kind of who we are, as a program, with a chip on our shoulder,” senior quarterback Connor Cook said about the matchup against Alabama. “No matter if we’re the underdog or the favorite we go into each and every game trying to prove something.”

November

October

MSU FALLS TO NEBRASKA

MSU will return to the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31 @ 8 p.m. to play Alabama for its chance to head to the national championships.

january

December

BIG TEN CHAMPS December 5

DOWN WITH THE BUCKEYES

November 21

Junior kicker Michael Geiger went on to win MSU the Ohio State game on a 41yard field goal as time expired. MSU ROSE FROM NO. 9 TO 5 IN THE CFP RANKINGS AFTER THIS WIN

“If I had to do it all over again, I definitely would,” he said.

“I’ll say that is the most important kick I have ever made in my entire life,” Geiger said. “I rehearsed as a kid over my swing set, ever since I could kick a ball. Saying, ‘this kick is to beat Ohio State this kick is to beat Ohio State,’ and being from Toledo, Ohio, it means the world.”

PHOTO: JULIA NAGY

“Dreams come true man,” freshman running back LJ Scott said. “I just gotta remain humble and everything will happen, everything will fall into place.”

FRESHMAN RUNNING BACK LJ SCOTT

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THE STAT E NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMB E R 1 0, 2 01 5

PHOTO: JOSHUA ABRAHAM

PHOTO: JULIA NAGY

JUNIOR KICKER MICHAEL GEIGER T H U R S DAY, DECEMBER 1 0, 201 5

T H E STAT E NEWS

Crossword

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

Spotlight MSU IM facilities lacking compared to competition BY ALEX KURRIE AKURRIE@STATENEWS.COM

ACROSS

1 Mennonite sect 6 Nasty bit of trickery 10 Chopped side 14 Trunk full of organs? 15 “Casablanca” heroine 16 Speck 17 Airline seating for Mensa members? 19 Milne’s Hundred __ Wood 20 Fire dept. employee 21 Many ages 22 Out of the country 24 Subordinate’s yes 26 Jewish folklore creature 28 He’s a horse, of course 30 Watched for the evening, say 34 Bar in a shower 37 Mark of approval 39 Justice Kagan appointer 40 WWII threat 42 Andy Capp’s spouse 43 Preen 44 Mulligan, for one 45 Counting-out word 47 Natural balm 48 Embarrassing mistake 50 Antihero? 52 Big spread 54 Like Yogi or Smokey 58 One of the haves 61 Prefix with port 63 Constrictive creature

64 Empty auditorium effect 65 Mickey Rooney and Danny DeVito? 68 Management level 69 Electrified atoms 70 Like some reprimands 71 Shangri-la 72 Goddess of victory 73 Resting places

DOWN

1 On the main 2 Toddler’s gleeful shout 3 More than just annoyed 4 Abbr. on old Eurasian maps 5 Windbag’s output 6 Grain holder 7 Metallic sound 8 Donkey 9 Tandoori __: South Asian spice mix 10 Overly ingratiating little devils? 11 Daft 12 Gillette razor 13 Location-dependent plant designation 18 First known asteroid 23 Coltrane genre 25 “Hee-Haw” humor, but just a touch? 27 Billiard table shape

29 Postpones 31 Advance using wind 32 Big bang cause, sometimes 33 Sticky stuff 34 Street border 35 Explorer Tasman 36 Japanese relative of the zither 38 Sierra Nevada product 41 Very ambitious sort 46 “__ be sorry!” 49 Cancels the reservation, maybe 51 Blue blood, for short 53 Express gratitude to 55 Structural beams 56 Old language that gives us “berserk” 57 Moves with care 58 Big bash 59 Battery fluid 60 Passé pronoun 62 Otherwise 66 Miss Piggy tagline 67 Bigelow’s Sweet Dreams, e.g.

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In September, The State News reported on the poor conditions of MSU’s intramural facilities. Students responses said something needs to be done.

A view of the indoor pool on Oct. 25, at IM Sports-West. There are currently no plans to renovate the facility. PHOTO: ALICE KOLE

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

$50 $24.5 Million planned to be spent on renovations to Breslin Center

This doesn’t come after simply admiring the pretty complexes from around the area — the extensive study from other universities reveals MSU lies dormant at the bottom of the barrel in regards to recent renovations, space per student and administrative involvement with student groups. The first step was analyzing MSU’s facilities and what the administration has planned to do with them in light of the recent healthy campus initiative. ASMSU president Domonique Clemons laments the fact MSU’s exercise complexes are some of “the worst in the Big Ten,” he said.

Million spent on the most recent renovations to Spartan Stadium

“We are being outdone by every university in the state of Michigan,” Clemons said, agreeing with the student body and calling for change. Graduate student John Benton also feels the equipment and workout centers could better represent the healthy campus initiative if the facilities that students need in order to exercise were upgraded. “They have the funds,” Benton said, pointing to the recent addition to the north entrance of Spartan Stadium. These findings are rather bleak, so The State News set out to see how neighboring universities have handled similar situation.

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

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12/10/15

THE STATE N E WS

THURSDAY, DECEMB E R 1 0, 2 01 5

The children’s play pool on Nov. 6 at Ohio State University. PHOTO: SUNDEEP DHANJAL

AJ Moser Managing editor amoser@statenews.com

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

$21.4

$13.7

Million to be spent on upgrading IM facilities for students

Milllion, spent on the most recent upgrades to student IM sports facilities

Central Michigan University placed student wellness into the initial designs of their buildings, so renovations are not as necessary or frequent. Assistant vice president of facilities Stan Shingles heads the Student Athletic Center, or SAC, at CMU. He said he has met with visiting MSU students hoping to gain a perspective on how they have maintained impressive facilities for their student body. The officials there take great pride in the space they’ve set aside for student wellness. Shingles adores the social aspect of the complex, pointing out that its bowling alley and billiards room are extremely popular among students.

He said the SAC boasts an adequate amount of space per student, referencing studies conducted by NIRSA, an organization devoted to research and development of recreational complexes and their connection to student wellness and performance. “These are not luxuries, they are necessary amenities for student wellness,” Shingles said. By contrast, MSU is well below this recommended level of space for student wellness facilities. According to NIRSA research, trends show students that utilize the facility boast a higher average GPA as well as increased involvement around campus.

A view of the indoor pool on Oct. 16 at the North Campus Recreation Building on 2375 Hubbard Road in Ann Arbor. This facility was completed in 1976 and will undergo a renovation beginning in 2020. PHOTO: ALICE KOLE

A view of the main gym surrounded by the indoor running track on Nov. 20 at the CMU Student Activity Center on 200 West Broomfield Street in Mount Pleasant, Mich. PHOTO: ALICE KOLE

The University of Michigan is home to a university recreational complex situation that was, until recently, very similar to our own. Showcasing some of the oldest facilities in the country, the students lobbied for renovations via an organization called Building a Better Michigan. The president of the organization felt updates would better represent the “leaders and best image” of the university. “It has been a staff perspective to update the facilities for a long time,” U-M Director of Facilities for Recreational Sports Jeff Straw said. “It was really kickstarted when the students got involved, they were the voice.” The administration obliged and actively worked in tandem with the student body, consulting architectural firms on the optimal amount of space need-

ed for the entirety of the student body. Each of U-M’s three IM centers will be undergoing significant renovations in the next five years, one of them under construction now. In the meantime, U-M officials are actively working to make the current facilities as conducive as possible to student wellness, often re-purposing older rooms to centers for modern recreational needs. MSU’s own student groups have shown significant interest in updating IM Sports-West and IM Sports-East. However, our administration has been less than accommodating to student wishes for better wellness centers. Currently, there are no plans in the immediate future to renovate the IM centers, despite active student involvement from organizations such as ASMSU.

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Ohio State University sets a high standard for IM facilities, not only in the Big Ten, but throughout the country. In the 1990s, OSU faced a situation similar to what MSU is experiencing, but accomplished the renovations with a variety of sources for funding. A portion came from state grants and donors, but the bulk came from the demographic that would be primarily using the facilities — the students. Much like MSU, Ohio State had found itself being outdone by its in-state counterparts in regards to the quality of the recreational complexes. Toledo, Bowling Green, Miami University and Ohio University each developed student wellness centers that surpassed that of the Buckeyes, Senior Associate Director of Facilities David DeAngelo said. Like at U-M, designers, accompanied by students, toured facilities from across the country in order to gain a perspective on what would be the most conducive to the students at Ohio State.

Officials at Ohio State even conferred with several health-oriented sources in order to assess how much space was needed for proper student health. Upon its completion, the central Recreation and Physical Activity Center, or RPAC, facility boasted a recreational pool, hot tub, complete track level, multiple basketball courts for a variety activities, an entire section dedicated to cardio, a fully-functional maintenance room that can repair equipment at a moment’s notice and an education center solely dedicated to educating students on healthy lifestyles. The state of the art facilities are seen by some, namely politicians, to be “country club costs,” he said. However, it is important that universities continue to provide these accessible and adequate wellness centers, OSU Recreational Sports Director Don Stenta said, because of its direct correlation to the academic performance of students.

$140 Million, total spent on building IM sports facilities

The Scarlet Skyway overlooking the facility on Nov. 6 at Ohio State University. PHOTO: SUNDEEP DHANJAL T H U RS DAY, DE C E MB E R 1 0, 2 01 5

WHAT WE CAN LEARN MSU students and administration can learn a great deal from the actions of their neighbors. Each of the universities visited had one commonality — the student body was active in the design, funding and renovation of the complexes. U-M showed what concentrated student efforts toward administration can accomplish. Ohio State unveiled some of the most impressive facilities in the country through the selfless activism of persistent students, some of whom remain active in the Columbus community to this day. Finally, Central Michigan revealed students can even be active in the planning stages of university buildings. The administration can learn, as other universities have, that increased student wellness will pay substantial dividends for student performance, on and off campus. TH E STATE N E WS

Sports

Ryan Squanda Sports editor sports@statenews.com @thesnews_sports

Passion leads the way for MSU Figure Skating From left to right, kinesiology senior Olivia Dorantes, athletic training sophomore Lauren Jackson and hospitality business junior Meghan Erikson skate together while warming up for an MSU Figure Skating Team practice on Sunday at Munn Ice Arena. The club is made up of women of all levels who used to figure skate when they were younger and wish to continue the sport.

BY EMMA HAUSBECK EHAUSBECK@STATENEWS.COM

While the MSU Figure Skating Team might only practice at Munn Ice Arena once or twice a month as a team, the women themselves have to put in at least an hour of ice time every week. All to train for their three competitions per season, where they face other club teams from across the country.

“It’s a good way for people who are in college, even if they don’t want to compete, to still practice once a week and still get to have that experience and get to hang out with other people with similar hobbies.” Lauren Jackson, Athletic training sophomore

“We just finished one (and) Oakland University was the host and they have a lot of different events, so girls can compete in individual programs as well as ice dance and there’s also a team event,” athletic training sophomore Lauren Jackson said. There are many different skill levels on the club team, from first-timers to women who started skating by the age of three-years-old. The team accepts anyone who pays the fees for competition and apparel, but depending on how hard a girl works determines whether or not she will be chosen to compete for the team at competitions. “I get to decide who gets to do what ele-

PHOTO: CATHERINE FERLAND

ment for a competition,” media and information sophomore and vice president of the club Bridget Race said. “So I watch the girls. Whoever wants to try out for a certain position, I’ll watch them all do the element and decide from there who is the best to do it for the team.” The different elements of figure skating on the club level are similar to the ones seen in

Showtimes for Dec. 10-12 Black Mass Thurs 119 B Wells Hall 8:30 p.m. Fri & Sat 119 B Wells Hall 7:15 & 9:25 p.m. Intern Thurs 115 B Wells Hall 9:00 p.m. Fri & Sat 115 B Wells Hall 7:00 & 9:10 p.m. End of the Tour Fri & Sat 117 B Wells Hall 7:10 & 9:15 p.m.

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Most women on the team have been skating for most of their lives. Also, they love the fact they can continue to skate in college without it being as serious as when they were young. “When I was in high school, I practiced every day (for) five days a week after school and it was a lot more intense, but since we are all in college now we don’t have as much time so it’s more for fun,” biochemistry sophomore Karisa Yu said. “It’s nice having a team and getting to know other skaters and it keeps me skating.” The team has two more competitions this season, which ends in early March. The women on the team like to compete against other major figure skating schools such as Adrian and Miami, But in the end, it’s all about the fun of meeting new people and getting to participate in the sport they love. “Its a good way for people who are in college, even if they don’t want to compete, to still practice once a week and still get to have that experience and get to hang out with other people with similar hobbies and interests,” Jackson said.

MSU basketball will honor 2000 national champion team Saturday BY RYAN SQUANDA RSQUANDA@STATENEWS.COM

www.rha.msu.edu ccc@rha.msu.edu 517-355-8285

the Winter Olympics. They are broken up into three different categories based on the skaters’ skill levels on the team. As a member of high team, Race has to perform three jumps, two spins and an axel in her individual event. She said she loves being out on the ice all by herself. “It’s just like, you skate for yourself, by yourself, it’s all about how hard you worked in practice that pays off at competition,” Race said. Unlike higher levels of figure skating such as the Olympics, the club teams are graded using a point system that goes up to 6.0. This grade is determined by each skaters’ performance at a competition and is added up at the end. Whichever team as a whole won more points wins. Even though most women skate by themselves, every performance counts, so the teammates have to stay unified. “We have team events, we had a hay ride, we have meetings usually we get together during the holidays and do some kind of a holiday themed party,” Race said.

THURSDAY, DECEMB E R 1 0, 2 01 5

MSU head basketball coach Tom Izzo confirmed Monday the 2000 MSU national championship basketball team will be honored during his current No. 1 MSU basketball team’s home game against Florida on Saturday. The 2000 team went 32-7 and were led by the likes of Spartan legends Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson. Florida is also the team MSU defeated in the championship game that year, 89-76. Izzo said Saturday’s event is something MSU has been looking to do, but hasn’t been able to plan the event for a date where most of the team can come back.

Nearly every member of the team will be back Saturday, Izzo said, besides Aloysius Anagonye and Adam Ballinger. Both were freshmen forwards on the 2000 team but can’t make it Saturday because of their overseas playing careers. “I think for me is it makes me realize and remember is that those are the guys that built my part of this great tradition here,” Izzo said. “Players coming back continues to be the best part of my job so hopefully somehow we can play well on Wednesday and play well on Saturday and get a chance to enjoy the guys that really laid the foundation for what we’ve accomplished.” MSU will hit the hardwood against Florida at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Breslin Center.

Sports

Greater Lansing Sport and Social Club offers unique sporting opportunities the Greater Lansing Sport and Social Club Tyler Reading said it had become. “We have had people join the club and build relationships, meet new friends and get married,” Some graduate students spend a lot of Reading said. “It’s crazy how fast it works.” their time working or gazing at a comIt does not take long for new members to make puter screen, while others would rathfriends during the activities Greater Lansing er get out and have fun. Sports and Social club hosts. Graduate student Samantha “I have definitely made a lot Loscalzo thinks it’s good to pro- “It’s a great of friends within my team and vide a social and physical envithing to provide other teams — I don’t know ronment for graduate students about lifelong, but I have defito unwind at the end of a long opportunities to nitely met some great people,” week. young alumni Loscalzo said. After hearing about Greater and graduates. Appel met people through this Lansing Sport and Social Club, club, which he hopes to continue Loscalzo decided to join and It’s great to be in spending time with, even outplay the intense game of dodge- an organization side of the club. ball, which is open to anyone who tries to build “Everyone is very friendly and in the Lansing or East Lansing looking to have a great time,” area, including MSU undergrad- connections with he said. uate and graduate students. The people.” Sam Appel, Graduate students within the dodgeball teams meets every club member club play a variety of sports at Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. at several locations in the Lansing Gier Community Center. This is a social networking company that strives area. The sports include soccer, kickball, dodgeball, beach volleyball, cornhole, softball, flag footto bring like-minded individuals together. “It’s a great thing to provide opportunities to ball and indoor volleyball. “We play in different locations around Lansing,” young Lansing alumni and graduates,” MSU Director of Jewish Student Life Sam Appel said. Reading said. ”(Hope Sports Complex) is where “It’s great to be in an organization who tries to they play flag football and soccer, Gier Community (Center) is where they play dodgeball and build connections with people.” And that’s exactly the kind of club director of kickball is at Fairview Elementary School field.”

Lansing resident Logan Shanks throws the ball during a coed dodgeball game on Nov. 19 at Gier Community Center, 2400 Hall St., in Lansing. Graduate students, MSU alumni and Lansing area residents alike gather every Thursday to play dodgeball and meet new people.

BY TREASURE ROBERTS

TROBERTS@STATENEWS.COM

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Aside from sports, the club throws a variety of events for all the members to interact and socialize with one another. “We do huge awards parties, formal events (with) red carpet, a field day in the summer, tailgates and every first Friday we do a network event to mingle,” Reading said. Appel said after dodgeball games, Greater Lansing Sport and Social Club sponsors an event at

the Midtown Brewing Company where members can receive discounted drinks and food, thus giving them another opportunity to socialize with each other. “It’s a great organization to get involved with,” he said.

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PHOTO: ALICE KOLE

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Features

Meagan Beck Features editor features@statenews.com @sn_features

MSU senior shares her stories through song

English junior Stefanie Haapala performs an untitled song during Story Lines, an event put on by Haapala, on Dec. 3 at (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. Haapala is a singersongwriter and performed two of her songs for the crowd, one of which she had only written the night before. PHOTO: CATHERINE FERLAND

BY KAYLEIGH GARRISON FEEDBACK@STATENEWS.COM

When English senior Stefanie Haapala takes the stage to perform her music, she doesn’t count the number of heads in the audience or think about how big the stage is. She thinks about the story she is telling her audience as she performs. “It’s a really emotional experience for me, being on stage, just because these are my songs and they are my stories,” Haapala said. “When you’re performing them on stage, you kind of get transported back in a sense.” When Haapala started singing, playing guitar, writing songs and performing, she said she never thought she was going to be performing on a regular basis. “I was already singing and then I started playing guitar, so songwriting was kind of inevitable,” she said. “Once I figured that I could do both and do that regularly, I guess it was inevitable that I started performing, but I didn’t really know that it was going to go where it has today.” While Haapala said her main priority is being a full-time college student, she averages about three big shows a month and plays a variety of smaller shows throughout the month depending on what is going on around the city. Her fan base has grown drastically through the last few years and has even spread to the United Kingdom. She said while performing on a big stage is fun, she appreciates playing in smaller venues the most. “Some of the coolest shows I’ve ever played have been in people’s living rooms, in really intimate settings where I’ve been able to talk to people afterwards and really get to know them, and kind of figure out why they’re coming out and what these songs mean to them,” Haapala said. Playing in an intimate setting means having a close interaction with her fans, including her best friends and bandmates. “Her lyrics are full of emotions she has had during past experiences,” professional writing senior Alison Hamilton said. “Since Stef is an English major, writing comes naturally to her.” 12

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Dakota Peterson, jazz studies junior and Haapala’s drummer, also spoke highly of Haapala’s talent. “Stefanie has a talent for writing really good lyrics,” Peterson said. “Her songwriting always compliments the lyrics (and) it’s raw and it shows on stage.” Rather than focus on the surroundings of the venues she performs at, Haapala tries to focus on putting meaning in to her songs and the community aspect of being a musician. “I’m really involved in the local music scene, and I think it’s a ridiculously cool environment,” she said. “You just get so immersed in this local scene and being able to stand on a stage and kind of be able to share a story with the people in the audience is the greatest part about it.”

“Stefanie has a talent for writing really good lyrics. ... Her songwriting always compliments the lyrics (and) it’s raw and it shows on stage.” Dakota Peterson, Jazz studies junior and Haapala’s drummer

Haapala said there is a responsibility as an artist to be true to herself with her songwriting. “My music kind of hits you in the face — it is emotional and I want it to be,” Haapala said. “These are things that have happened, or are happening, and I’m going to put them into a song because I accept that they’re happening and I think that’s a really unique opportunity to have and to be able to share that with people.”

54th 55th Anniversary Sale!

Open ‘til 8 TODAY ONLY! Thursday, Dec. 10th 20% off almost everything* Including the Green & White Shop!

MSU Cotton Bowl Playoff merchandise in stock!

Free Refreshments & Gift Boxes Live music by Robert McCloy

MORE Upcoming show: Jan. 8, 2016 at The Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac, MI. To hear Haapala’s music, check out her Bandcamp at stefaniehaapala.bandcamp.com

We Validate Parking THURSDAY, DECEMB E R 1 0, 2 01 5