Saturday, September 21, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

School bond fiscally irresponsible

Back when I first started paying property taxes in my adopted hometown in 1974 or so, a neighborhood old-timer told me one time, “A school board will spend as much as you let them.” He cautioned me to look at the details, not to be bound by my natural pro-education instincts as the father of a two-year-old.

COMMENTARY

Drug use on campus shouldn’t be ignored

Many students believe college is a time to explore new possibilities and try new things before entering the real world of adulthood. Some might discover a passion that leads to an unexpected major or make new friends who will open their eyes to a different culture.

COMMENTARY

Red Cedar closure still leaves issues

Elementary schooling helps to build the character and lay the foundation of future education for a student. For some East Lansing children, however, the school in which they’ve begun their educational journey soon will be forced to shut its doors because of a financially and morally ambiguous decision.

COMMENTARY

Renewable energy vital to Michigan

I am very encouraged to learn that the proposal to strengthen Michigan’s renewable energy standard to 25 percent by 2025 has the support of Democrats, Republicans and independents.

COMMENTARY

Electric car stations will make e.l. green

In a time when preserving the environment is a concern on the minds of many people, the city of East Lansing is doing its part in going green, and hopefully encouraging residents to do the same. Plans to install two electric car charging stations in the city were presented on Feb.

COMMENTARY

Bond represents school’s future

Those of you who have always voted in favor of bonds, whose kids are receiving or received a great education, and are planning to vote no, consider the needs of teachers and kids now and in the future, not the needs of decades ago.

COMMENTARY

Student input should produce better ANGEL

Any MSU student or faculty member who has ever felt any frustration when dealing with ANGEL — presumably, the majority of students and faculty — can take a sigh of relief. Thankfully, the course management system slowly is being replaced.

COMMENTARY

Close quarters

I’ve lived in a lot of places. I’ve lived in a house with a colorful cast of characters in East Lansing, I’ve lived in an apartment in Columbus, Ohio, with three complete strangers (in a place that hates the entire state of Michigan, no less) and I’ve lived in the dorms by myself and with other people.

COMMENTARY

Bond does more harm than good

On Feb 28, the voters in East Lansing will approve or reject a proposed $53 million school bond. If approved, the East Lansing School Board intends to demolish and rebuild five existing elementary schools all within three miles of White Hills Elementary.

COMMENTARY

At-large students weaken ASMSU’s clout

A lack of participation from students at University Council meetings has ASMSU representatives concerned, but their solution might just be as bad as the problem. ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, recently implemented a new student caucus that will gather at-large students, which are student-held positions in University Council, to discuss issues with each other before presenting their concerns at council meetings.

COMMENTARY

Parking fines excessive, ludicrous

It is great that MSU has been able to build and maintain parking areas by using money generated from parking violation fines. My personal experience with this source of MSU’s revenue goes back to me taking the evening short course on fruit production.