The Beaumont Tower courtyard serves as another place to enjoy the greenery and aesthetics of campus while you study, meet with family and friends, or just take a break from the hustle and bustle of campus life.
For the first time since spring 2020, students and faculty returned to Michigan State’s campus this fall. With the return, the community navigated a “new normal” amid the lingering COVID-19 pandemic while returning back to some coveted Spartan traditions along the way.
Here’s a recap of the semester’s biggest events and storylines.
Back on campus
Spartans returned to campus for in-person classes on Sept. 1 with the largest freshman class on record of about 9,200 students. COVID-19 directives, including wearing masks indoors and mandating the vaccine, were implemented to keep the MSU community safe.
Athletic director Alan Haller replaces Bill Beekman
Bill Beekman was replaced by Alan Haller as Michigan State’s athletic director, whose promotion was unanimously approved at a virtual Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 1. Some trustee members were concerned about the transparency of the hiring process, calling for more openness in future searches.
Resident assistants push back against armed round training
Resident assistants completed a training through the Michigan State University Police Department from Aug. 15 to Aug. 25. At the training, RAs learned about initiatives to hold armed rounds in the dorms. Armed rounds have not been done previously and none were conducted after the training.
Some RAs pushed back, creating jamboards expressing concerns about the presence of guns. Administration said police presence is common in dorms in order to encourage community between students and officers as well as safety.
Results of staffing shortages
Staffing shortages in Residential and Hospitality Services caused closures and shortened hours in residential and dining halls along with Sparty’s locations. Faculty were asked to volunteer in dining halls to make up for the shortages.
The closures were met with petitions and complaints from faculty, parents and students.
Advocacy in Nassar investigation
Sister survivors testified against the FBI’s handling of the Larry Nassar investigation on Sept. 15. In their statements, they advocated for change in policy to create more appropriate and sympathetic investigations for survivors of sexual assault.
During another Senate Judiciary Committee hearing held Oct. 5, there were confirmed changes being made to strengthen FBI policy.
Survivors from the University of Michigan and Michigan State also testified before the House Oversight Committee on Sept. 30 in favor of a legislative package to make it easier for sexual assault survivors to report.
Repealing the Tampon Tax
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The House of Representatives discussed repealing the state’s 6% sales tax on menstrual products on Oct. 14. Two bills with bipartisan support were passed to amend Michigan’s tax code and to allow menstruation products to be legally considered necessities.
The first fall break
MSU held its first fall break this year from Oct. 25-26 after its original proposal by Associated Students of MSU in February 2019. It will now become a permanent part of the academic calendar, taking place around the middle of the semester on a Monday and Tuesday.
Aftermath of rivalry football game
Michigan State football defeated the University of Michigan 37-33 at this year’s game on Oct. 30. Both teams came into the match undefeated and ranked in the top 10. MSU's win, carried by junior running back Kenneth Walker III's five touchdowns, was celebrated with couch burning at Cedar Village.
The destruction continued with multiple fires and flipped vehicles. At least one student was arrested on the scene.
Search for Brendan Santo begins
MSU’s police department reported 18-year-old Brendan Santo was missing and last seen on Oct. 29. Search efforts, including FBI and various dive teams involvement, have continued throughout the semester. Santo’s family asked the public to aid in the search and raised the reward for information to $20,000.
City council election results
Incumbents Dana Watson and Ron Bacon and new-elect George Brookover were elected to fill three city council positions on Nov. 2. Watson and Brookover will serve in four-year terms while Bacon will serve a two-year term.
Bacon was sworn in as the first Black mayor of East Lansing during a city council meeting on Nov. 9.
Protests, suspensions rise against fraternity life
Protestors gathered outside of Delta Kappa Epsilon on Nov. 3 to advocate for more accountability in fraternity culture. The fraternity was placed under interim suspension due to allegations of misconduct.
The Pi Alpha Phi fraternity was suspended on Nov. 24 following MSU student Phat Nguyen’s death. The East Lansing Police Department began its investigation of the off-campus death on Nov. 20 and said alcohol consumption may have played a role in the incident.
Nguyen was remembered at a candlelight vigil on Nov. 29. Speakers from various student organizations shared memories and stories in his honor.
Suzy Merchant reaches career milestone
MSU women’s basketball coach Suzy Merchant reached her 500th career win after a 73-62 win against Valparaiso on Nov. 16. Merchant also secured her 300th win at MSU on Nov. 20, making her the second women’s basketball coach to accomplish this.
Tucker’s contract extension
MSU head football coach Mel Tucker signed a 10-year contract extension on Nov. 24. Benefits of this contract include a $5.9 million base salary and supplemental income from media appearances and advertising. This totals to $95 million over 10 years.
Tucker was also named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the 2021 season on Nov. 30, following the Spartans’ 10-2 record and third place finish in the Big Ten East.
