Monday, November 11, 2024

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Commentary

COMMENTARY

MSU doing what it can to prevent embezzlement

I believe it is important for me to respond to "Embezzlers deserve harsher penalty" (SN 7/26), and add some clarifying and significant points. First, the internal control process worked in catching employees who embezzled from the university. Second, Internal Audit is not in charge of the penalty phase - we do an investigation of the facts and provide our report to MSU's Department of Police and Public Safety who, in turn, gives it to the prosecutor who pursues appropriate charges and penalties. Third, when there is a lack of required oversight, an opportunity is provided for embezzlement to take place. Finally, the university processes more than $30 million annually in purchasing card transactions.

COMMENTARY

Suburban dangers

My grandparents own a farm four hours north of East Lansing, outside of Boyne City. Growing up, every holiday break from school or a birthday meant another trip to the farm.

COMMENTARY

Murky future for Wall Street Journal

Rupert Murdoch's recent acquisition of Dow Jones & Co. marks a scary time for the nation and for the distribution of information as a whole. The Wall Street Journal, published by Dow Jones & Co., which is owned by the Bancroft family, is one of three remaining national, well-known, family-owned U.S.

COMMENTARY

Quixtar does not infringe on entrepreneurs' rights

I am writing in response to the letter "DeVos should serve time for Quixtar scam at MSU" (SN 7/16). This is like asking expert advice about running a restaurant from someone who has never been in the restaurant business, let alone been in any business.

COMMENTARY

Weight problems

The United States is the fattest nation in the world. Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans, 90-95 percent of whom have Type 2 diabetes, which is preventable through healthy diet and exercise. The most economical alternatives for a meal are usually fast food franchises which are, by anyone's standards, incredibly unhealthy.

COMMENTARY

SAF should stay out of student cheer sections

My hopes for future generations of MSU students were lifted when I read "SAF to play smaller role without Corner Blitz" (SN 7/30). I always laughed at the name Student Alumni Foundation because anyone involved with the organization knows it is run by its dictator and adviser, Bev VandenBerg. It's been this organization that has systematically taken the spirit out of MSU's spirit sections.

COMMENTARY

Breaking alcohol myths a good plan

An MSU group recently received a $175,000 grant to publicize its findings regarding alcohol consumption by college students. The idea behind the group's research is that students enter college with misconceptions about their peers' drinking habits.

COMMENTARY

Special treatment for coaches waste of money

On Friday, The Detroit News reported that not only does MSU pay for courtesy cars for athletic coaches and athletic administrators, but "Michigan State hands out another perk reserved for the highest echelons of private business - a country club membership." According to the report, the memberships cost the school around $35,000 a year.

COMMENTARY

Tyranny of faith

For a very long time now, Christianity has been marketed as a religion of love. Not only is it a religion of love, we're told, but also it is a religion of redemption and forgiveness.

COMMENTARY

Change in gasoline tax unnecessary

In a state as dependent on automobiles as Michigan, the price of gas will always be an issue of large public concern. Two Michigan representatives are attempting to change the way the state taxes citizens at the pumps.

COMMENTARY

Cost of school should be same for all

Many students will soon pay more for choosing a certain major at public universities across the country. High professorial salaries in certain fields, expensive specialized equipment and waning state funding for public universities are driving some state schools to charge higher tuition to students in fields like business, engineering and journalism. Such majors focus on learning a task, and students paying more for a certain major may focus on taking classes only within that major to get their money's worth.

COMMENTARY

Everyone should be tested for hepatitis C

As a representative of virtually all the facilities nationwide that collect blood and 80 percent of those that transfuse blood and blood components, I wanted to bring to your attention inaccurate information included in "Mich.

COMMENTARY

Farming changes

Despite veto threats from the president, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a new and improved version of the multibillion-dollar farm bill, the core of the country's government farm program that sends subsidies to U.S.

COMMENTARY

BP's pollution of lakes must be put to an end

Enjoy a dive into Lake Michigan this summer. Before I do, I'd like to thank Richard Librizzi for pointing our attention toward British Petroleum Co. Ltd.'s attempts at increasing the daily garbage it heaps into Lake Michigan in "Corporations polluting Michigan's water sources" (SN 7/26). BP wants to increase its daily ammonia discharge by about 1,600 pounds, while it would bump up its daily release of suspended solids, like lead, by about 5,000 pounds, according to The Chicago Tribune. This is all while BP advertises it actually gives a damn about the environment.