MSU
Staying in step with the State Swing Society
The State Swing Society keeps a classic dance alive with lessons and community performances.
MSU
Petition to ban smoking on campus nearing 1,000 signatures
The Change.org campaign has taken off, largely from MSU students sharing the petition on social media sites.
FEATURES
Black students continue to let their spirituality thrive in college
Despite college pressures and a lack of familiar churches in the area, many black students continue to foster their church culture.
MSU
MSU Fire Marshal concerned with older residence halls, more electronic use
STUDENTS: Tyler Matteson, psychology sophomore “Yeah. Just one.” “I don’t think so. Mine is relatively new. I don’t use all of them (plugged in appliances) at the same time.” “I don’t really think about it much.” Jillian Craighead, theatre freshman "I do use extention cords and power strips! I use them because (there are) not enough plugs around the dorm room to plug everything in. And some plugs are not 3prong plug ports. Besides, I heard using power strips (is) safer than using a whole bunch of extension cords." "The number I use, I don't think it's a fire hazard. I mean of course it is, but I don't have a ridiculous amount where I feel like it's going to catch on fire. Besides, I turn off my power strip when I'm not using it. And I unplug my extention cords when necessary." Theatre and music composition senior, Mark Schenfisch "Yes I do. We have a lot of things that need plugged in, lights, power cords, and my piano. Microwave, fridge, etc. My bed is lofted, too, so I use an extension cord to get power to my phone at night. I would not say it's a fire hazard. There's only one daisy chain and that's to get up to my bed. Mythbusters did a thing about extension cords - well it was actually about Christmas tree lights, but talked about extension cords too - and while they said you still shouldn't be ridiculous about daisy chaining extension cords and power strips, if I remember correctly the only thing that was truly a danger were short circuits. So I'm not particularly concerned about any precautions, though if I were to take them, I think it'd probably be looking for short circuits, but the Internet seems to suggest circuit breakers should take care of that anyway, unless the short is in the wall." Name: Denis Zietlow Title: MSU Fire Marshal MSU PD Contact: 517-432—1587 What would you say are the most prevalent type of fire-hazard or cause of residence hall fires? Don’t get a lot of calls on it. Often times small issues are handled by staff. Gen guidelines – extension cords should be hardwired or plugged into an outlet. Safety strip have circuit breakers – UL approved. Shouldn’t piggy back strips together. Older dorms are “Not set up to handle all of the electronic stuff that people have in their rooms.” Want students to use power strips that have shut offs on them. Surge protectors. We don’t like to see people using lamp cord type extension cords. They’re not safe. Candles are not allowed – housing contract prohibits things like candles and hot plates and such. We don’t like to see any type of cooking appliance except for microwave. Dorm staff usually works to make sure that type of things doesn’t happen. One thing we’ve done as we renovate buildings is put automatic sprinklers in. Huge life safety feature. As we renovate the buildings, we try to get. Sprinkler heads considered to be a key component of a safe building. Smoking in rooms – sometimes disable smoke detectors. Not safe thing to do and not supposed to do that. Do not disable smoke detectors or cover them. Unsafe thing to do. Often times do not reconnect them. Newer systems report back to PD if an issue with detector is found. No open flames in the rooms and make sure curling irons are unplugged or against anything that can catch fire. Even unplug hair dryers. Anything can produce heat, unplug when done with it. “We’ve had a very good fire safe year.” Fortunate we haven’t had many large fires in the dorms. “We hope to keep it that way.” MSU Maintenance – Infrastructure Planning & Facilities Name: Andrew Smith Title: Occupational Safety Compliance officer. Contact: 517-353-1760 We have people daisy chain them and overheat – mixed daisy chains. People buying cheap power sources. Look for UL – tested and approved. Can also be a trip hazard when maintenance tries to work. Don’t put them underneath carpets or put stress on them by hanging them. Make sure you put them somewhere you won’t have water dripping on them. Only so many ways to set up a dorm room, but try to find the best power strips with longest cords. Try and only use so many items per power cord.
MSU
Despite recommendations, students don't study two hours a week for every credit hour
Time management is an essential skill in order to survive college. Between extracurriculars, classes and studying, why is it that students always seem to be short on time, even with diligently planned schedules?
MSU
ROTC cadets perform flag-folding veterans day ceremony
Members from the Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps recited the creeds of their respective branches, and animal science sophomore Hannah Piper read the St. Crispin’s Day Speech from William Shakespeare’s play “Henry V.”
MSU
In the business of raising money, MSU is 'playing catch-up'
MSU's Office of Advancement is a well-oiled fundraising machine. A recently announced capital campaign seeks to raise $1.5 billion. With continued cuts to state higher education funding, officials emphasize there is a greater need for private donations.
MSU
Spartans serve
For student veterans, adjusting to campus life can be difficult. Luckily, there is a variety of resources available for those who have served, and some Spartans are taking the step to help situate other veterans in the area.
MSU
Organizations aim to help international students secure jobs in United States, despite challenges
International students in search of an internship in the United States after graduation might find it difficult to convince employers to hire them.
MSU
UAB fights stereotypes with #OneLoveMSU campaign
The University Activities Board is aiming to support the diversity of MSU’s student body with a campaign the group started this week.
COMMENTARY
Self-segregation is common in college, at no one's fault
I really wasn’t that nervous for my first day of high school. In my eyes, that whole idea of being “the new kid” was thrown out the window, because at that point every single person in the freshman class was considered new. I thought coming into college was going to be different.
MSU
National Forget-Me-Not day unfamiliar to students
Traditionally, national Forget-Me-Not day is celebrated by getting back in touch with friends and family.
FEATURES
Alpha Phi, fraternities play football to raise funds for heart health
On Sunday, Alpha Phi sorority hosted their second annual “Capture A-Phi” philanthropy flag football game to raise money for the Alpha Phi Foundation, which supports women’s heart health.
MSU
Students, alumni turn hops into beer and business
Some enjoy going out and drinking beer, others enjoy the process of brewing it. Some Spartan students and alumni take up brewing as a hobby and a business.
MSU
Students offer introduction to often-overlooked Somali culture
As music and laughter swirled around students on Friday night, knowledge about one country in the Horn of Africa passed between them. Student members of the Somali Association of Michigan hosted their annual Somali Cultural Night at the Eppley Center.
MSU
Chittenden Hall reopens as permanent home for graduate school
Until last Friday, MSU’s graduate students had no central space that they could call home — no place to go to for support.
MICHIGAN
Political groups on campus reflect on midterm election results
America saw red on Tuesday and Michigan was no exception. Republicans across the country, challengers and incumbents alike, were elected to the U.S. House and Senate, along with several gubernatorial positions.
MSU
College of Nursing receive $1.2 million to support home-care program for elderly adults
The Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation awarded the College of Nursing has been awarded a $600,000 grant to help older adults stay home and receive care, instead of being admitted to a nursing home.
MSU
Jazz duet brings music to streets, bus stops
For professional violinist Matthew Pickart and professional double bass player Louis Rudner, making a jazz group is not all about the money and recognition but more for the creative experience of it all.
MSU
Night Owl bus provides late-night transportation on campus
The Night Owl bus service offers curb-to-curb transportation for students on campus late at night.