COMMENTARY

College experience is not one size fits all

Cameron Macko

September 14, 2014

When a person thinks of what an average college experience is like, a number of stereotypes quickly pop up. For example, they might think of a frat party with excessive amounts of drinking. Or maybe they’ll think of a nerdy kid constantly in the library with his head buried in a pile of textbooks. Neither of those hypothetical college students are doing anything wrong. The truth, however, is a combination of both extremes and everything in between.

COMMENTARY

MSU emergency alert system shocked, but should comfort

Merinda Valley

September 11, 2014

Emergency alerts sent out by MSU police after a stabbing on Michigan Ave. Sunday, Sept. 7 weren't well-received. But they should offer some sense of security.

COMMENTARY

Religious persecution a foreign concept to many Americans

Cameron Macko

September 11, 2014

The reports from areas under the dominion of the Islamic State have been shocking, to say the least, especially for any of the religious minorities facing persecution. Iraq’s largest Christian city, Qaraqosh, recently fell to ISIS militants, and if their occupation of the city of Mosul tells us anything it’s that the entire situation is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

COMMENTARY

Conquering college — and mental health

Jacob Sailor

September 10, 2014

Research from the National Alliance on Mental Illness shows that the stigma surrounding mental health is the main reason college students don’t address potential disorders.

COMMENTARY

Obama sees declining approval rating, younger voters turning away

Cameron Macko

September 10, 2014

Last week, President Obama’s approval rating reached its lowest point. In a Gallup survey, only 38 percent of respondents said they approve of how he is handling his job. And during Obama’s presidency, his approval rating sunk to that mark seven times.

COMMENTARY

Complete ban on smoking would be too extreme

Cameron Macko

September 9, 2014

Apparently, the last great vice of college students in America isn’t drinking, drugs, partying too hard, sleeping around or eating too much unhealthy food in cafeterias — it’s smoking.

COMMENTARY

Letter: ASMSU urges Terri Lynn Land to debate on campus

KC Perlberg

September 8, 2014

When we are young, we are painted a bright and idealistic picture of our democracy. We’re told of how members of communities, states and our country come together to discuss issues and select representatives.

COMMENTARY

Land and Peters should debate at MSU, engage young voters

Editorial Board

September 8, 2014

We hold the power of our democracy on a sheet of paper. We make our choices and then drop them into a ballot box. And we are affected, knowingly or not, by the results.

COMMENTARY

Clean up our throwaway culture

Editorial Board

September 7, 2014

Couches were piled on top of each other. Love seats shoved in between made a mix of leather and suede, muted colors and cross-hatched fabric. Minor holes and tears in cushions turned into full rips from heavy rains and cold weather after previous owners left the furniture outside during the harsh winter. It's a scene from one apartment complex that is replicated near dumpsters across East Lansing.

COMMENTARY

Column: Overall health should be more important than weight

Nolly Dakroury

September 3, 2014

Before you begin your first year of college, people always tell you that it is a different experience. They’re right. Coming from a different county made the experience all the more different for me. One such difference that I am still trying to acclimate myself to is my body.

COMMENTARY

Speak up, new Silent Generation

Rich Vadasy

September 3, 2014

Our generation has been called many names. One label that really sticks out to me is the new Silent Generation.

COMMENTARY

Catcalls and silence can contribute to rape culture on campus

Kayman Whaley

September 3, 2014

“I love you!” a man shouted at me from the backseat window of his friend’s car. It was my first day of work, and I was sitting on a bench during my lunch break. I decided to be pleasant and jokingly replied that I loved him too. I thought that would be the end of it, but the conversation took a different turn.

COMMENTARY

Connecting with diversity in every corner of MSU

Henry Pan

September 2, 2014

Most of the college experience is shaped by what we do outside of the classroom. It's very important to take the time to step out of your comfort zone and explore what our unique student body has to offer.

COMMENTARY

Military-grade gear shouldn’t be standard for local law enforcement

Editorial Board

September 1, 2014

A Cedar Village riot doesn’t warrant a military tank.  But the aftermath of the fatal shooting by a police officer of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., showed that law enforcement agencies are increasingly heavy-handed with their military-style equipment. 

COMMENTARY

Military-grade gear shouldn’t be standard for local law enforcement

Editorial Board

September 1, 2014

A Cedar Village riot doesn’t warrant a military tank. But the aftermath of the fatal shooting by a police officer of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., showed that law enforcement agencies are increasingly heavy-handed with their military-style equipment.

COMMENTARY

Value your education — beyond dollars and cents

Editorial Board

August 27, 2014

Our classes cost upwards of $440 per credit hour, and tuition is hovering around $14,000 a year. After accumulating at least 120 credits to graduate, our bachelor’s degrees will give us 98 percent more in hourly earnings than our non-diploma-holding counterparts.

COMMENTARY

LETTER: Undergraduate and graduate governments welcome students

Emily Bank  and  James Conwell

August 26, 2014

Dear incoming and returning students,On behalf of ASMSU & COGS, we would like to welcome you home to Michigan State University for the 2014-2015 school year.

COMMENTARY

Board of Trustees candidate Scott Schultz could offer a lot to MSU

Editorial Board

August 10, 2014

The State News Editorial Board sat down with MSU Board of Trustees Republican candidate Scott Schultz at his request Friday afternoon to discuss his aspirations as a potential trustee member.

COMMENTARY

An open letter to older generations

Morgan Redding

August 10, 2014

Dear Silent Generation and Baby Boomers: You have given our generation a lot of nicknames: the Me, Me, Me Generation (also known as the selfish or selfie generation), Gen Why?

COMMENTARY

Do you really need to take that selfie?

Melanie Brender

August 6, 2014

Last weekend, my local running community broke a world record.