COMMENTARY

Activism is a mindset, and one that more students need to embrace

Zoe Schubot

January 25, 2015

Last week, while shooting pictures for the cover of The State News’ activism issue, I found myself having to approach students on the street and ask them the question, “why do you think that activism is important?” As I was met with many blank stares and puzzled expressions, I came to terms with a troubling realization: a large number of MSU students have no idea what the word ‘activism’ means.

COMMENTARY

How to handle seasonal affective disorder

Jessica Sattler

January 22, 2015

If you ever feel like you have the “winter blues,” you’re not alone. Seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known ironically by its acronym SAD, can be a real problem during Michigan winters.

COMMENTARY

Sloppy salting, shoveling of sidewalks a liability for MSU

Joseph Friess-Peters

January 22, 2015

Any returning student will tell you that this year’s weather is starting out much tamer than last year. After all, it is nice knowing that we can go outside longer than 10 minutes and not get frostbite. However, there are still perils we face now, namely black ice.

COMMENTARY

Terrorism can't be condoned, but Charlie Hebdo cartoons were offensive

Joseph Friess-Peters

January 22, 2015

From newspapers, to televisions, to the internet there is constant mention of the murder of Charlie Hebdo employees. This attack was executed by individuals who saw the controversial cartoons, produced by Charlie Hebdo, depicting Muhammad and took it as an inexcusable insult to their faith.

COMMENTARY

The flu vaccine is only 23 percent effective, but get it anyway

Jessica Sattler

January 21, 2015

If you haven’t heard, the Centers for Disease Control recently announced that this year’s flu vaccine is only 23 percent effective . While it’s not the worst vaccine we’ve ever had, the news can be discouraging.

COMMENTARY

A few things to remember to make the most of your college experience

Maria Braganini

January 21, 2015

Dear students, staff, faculty and alumni, Exactly a year ago I was a wide-eyed freshman.

COMMENTARY

MSU website crashes are frustrating, unacceptable

Joe Friess-Peters

January 20, 2015

If you ask a college student what they do in the morning you will get a wide array of answers. But many will say that somewhere between hitting the snooze button for five extra minutes of sleep and rushing out the door, they check their emails. Unfortunately for MSU students, this might not have been possible during the first week or so of the new semester.

COMMENTARY

Dangers of social media still overlooked by many

Katie Winkler

January 20, 2015

By Katie Winkler

COMMENTARY

LETTER: Students deserve to choose their graduation speaker

Luke Ferris

January 19, 2015

Typically graduation is set for fulfilled dreams, new beginnings and inspiring send-offs. But MSU’s most recent graduation was shrouded with controversy. The tension was not for poor graduation rates or foreboding job markets, rather the man on the podium speaking to MSU graduates.

COMMENTARY

Despite "The Interview," conditions in North Korea are no laughing matter

Jessica Sattler

January 19, 2015

Ever since the release date for The Interview was announced last year, North Korea has featured prominently in the news. But let’s be clear on something: North Korea is not a joke.

COMMENTARY

MLK has directly affected all minority groups, even decades after his death

Anya Rath

January 16, 2015

When I was a little girl, I wanted nothing more than to just fit in. As one of the only Indian students in my school, which was comprised mostly of white students, I quickly stuck out like a sore thumb. 

COMMENTARY

MLK Day is more than a day without work, class

Celeste Bott

January 16, 2015

Everybody loves a day off. I know I do — a chance to relax, a long weekend, and in the case of MLK Day, a reprieve before the spring semester kicks into high gear.

COMMENTARY

Our civil rights movement continues

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

January 16, 2015

Martin Luther King, Jr. is someone I’ve admired since I was little. I remember my first encounter with one of the persons that would later give sense to the words equality, justice and peace.

COMMENTARY

Despite perception, liberal arts majors are not doomed to fail

Jessica Sattler

January 14, 2015

In the world of academia, there is an unspoken hierarchy in terms of a college degree’s prestige. Engineering and pre-med majors are near the top, with marketing and accounting somewhere in the middle, and liberal arts degrees at the very bottom. English majors, in particular, are the butt of many jokes in popular culture.

COMMENTARY

Be smart when you're buying your (expensive) textbooks

Joseph Friess-Peters

January 13, 2015

The first week of the semester conjures up a lot of thoughts, many of which are positive. However, nothing puts me off the semester quicker than seeing the price of my books and course packs.

COMMENTARY

Tips from the U.P.: How to avoid the worst crimes against winter

Jessica Sattler

January 13, 2015

East Lansing has finally received a much anticipated “real winter.” By “real winter,” I mean that the temperatures have at last dropped below freezing and a few inches of snow have successfully stuck to the ground for longer than a 24-hour period.

COMMENTARY

Don't pick the worst month of the year to start going to the gym

Joseph Friess-Peters

January 12, 2015

It’s 2015, and the spring semester is officially here. I’m sure I’m not the only one disappointed that the holidays are over, but it is important to remember that the decisions we made while we were on break are sticking with us into the new year. For many individuals this new semester isn’t just another semester, it is the beginning of their year-long journey to better themselves.

COMMENTARY

(Not) so excited to be back in East Lansing

Greg Monahan

January 12, 2015

Happy first day back, Spartans. At least, as happy as it possibly can be. Because really, today has got to be the worst day of the entire school year, right?

COMMENTARY

To experience closure, sometimes you need to ask for answers

Casey Holland

December 4, 2014

I'm not someone who can be considered a role model for expressing oneself and owning your emotions.

COMMENTARY

Facebook still the most reliable social media site

Anthony Herta

December 4, 2014

Many people have begun to argue that Facebook is dying.