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Commentary

COMMENTARY

Project’s impact needs further evaluation

When doing a project, you want it done correctly rather than quickly. The East Lansing City Council, though, appears to be in a rush to grab some federal funding for development on East Grand River Avenue. Last week, the East Lansing City Council voted 4-1 to apply for a federal matching grant to assist in the revamping of the section of Grand River Avenue between Collingwood Drive and Hagadorn Road.

COMMENTARY

Note sharing not matter of ethics

I am writing in lieu of the most recent attempt to place our professors on an even higher pedestal than they belong while at the same time demeaning the student population at-large.

COMMENTARY

Enjoy homecoming with respect, pride

Yes, Homecoming is a time for students to be entertained. Homecoming weekend, though, is more than simply a massive amount of parties, college football and a parade down Grand River Avenue. For a weekend, Spartans young and old embrace the Spartan spirit.

COMMENTARY

Stop hate against Arab-Americans

It pains me knowing they are talking about my former classmates, high school teachers and best friends. How could my soft-spoken Arabic friends be connected to wars, bombings and terrorist threats? I see the looks on people’s faces when I mention my friends Omar, Yousif and Amir. I can tell what they’re thinking. To put it lightly, it’s unjust.

COMMENTARY

Winning not goal in real justice

Craig Gunn
October 19, 2011

Have you ever wondered if what you watch on television or in movies has any semblance of reality? We are deluged with every form of reality TV, but do you ever contemplate if Kim Kardashian or “Big Brother” or “Survivor” has any place outside of the fantasy realm?

COMMENTARY

Students unfairly rushed to sign leases

No student can predict the future. However, by pressuring them to sign leases as early as a year in advance, property management companies are asking students to do just that. Being pressured to sign a lease to live off-campus in October for the following fall is too early for students’ ever-changing plans.

COMMENTARY

Legislation goes against rights

State Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, recently introduced legislation that would void East Lansing’s ordinance by prohibiting any Michigan community from adopting an ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on categories not included in state law. This is an issue that every resident of East Lansing and every MSU student should be concerned and outraged about.

COMMENTARY

Professor’s work not pornography

Jameson Joyce
October 18, 2011

The State News recently published a story about a retiring photography professor, Professor Danny Guthrie and his latest project photographing himself with his current and former students as well as his colleagues. Guthrie specifically comments on these photos, “(The photographs are) about my loss of youth and impending doom,” he said. “Once you give up when you get older, you don’t live in a sexual arena anymore.” This quote, however, did not protect him from attacks from faculty as well as students — specifically Mitch Goldsmith, who wrote a scathing column painting Guthrie as a sick older professor exploiting his students — somehow intimidating or forcing his female students to pose with him.

COMMENTARY

Discriminatory bills need to be stopped

When confronted recently with issues of racial discrimination, MSU students and officials agreed to work together to make campus a comfortable environment for all. State Representatives must have missed that lesson because a series of bills that appear to encourage discrimination now are making their way through the legislative process.

COMMENTARY

Be respectful about U-M rivalry

Although I understand the rivalry between MSU and U-M is strong (believe me ­— I was in the student section yelling just as hard as the next person on Saturday), I really don’t understand why the “trash talking” always has to become offensive.

COMMENTARY

Ethics, value of note-sharing questionable

Students recently have discovered a new way to skip out on classes while still obtaining notes. But this method comes with a price. Notehall and GradeGuru, websites used for sharing study guides and notes by students for students, are negatively impacting the way some students learn.

COMMENTARY

Think small shops to replace closing store

With the imminent closing of Barnes and Noble Booksellers at 333 E. Grand River Ave., residents and students can’t help but begin to worry about how downtown East Lansing will soon look. As city officials work to fill that hole, they should consider smaller businesses.

COMMENTARY

Guest column not edited for facts

Guest columnists should be entitled to their own opinions but not to their own facts. The recent column about the Occupy Wall Street movement (SN 10/13) is so egregiously flawed factually that it has no credibility whatsoever as an opinion.