COMMENTARY
Old man river
It's not surprising that many students probably perceive the Red Cedar River as filthy and sludge-ridden.
COMMENTARY
In the cold
It's been a hard year to be an Izzone member. Between stiff dress codes, tracked game entrance times to determine future membership eligibility, limited absences to retain tickets and other things, the Izzone fan, arguably MSU's most dedicated sports enthusiast, has been put through the ringer. As the MSU men's basketball team advances to the Final Four, fans have weathered the storm to reach the Izzone leaders' goal to become the nation's largest student cheering section.
COMMENTARY
March on
Despite how often the phrase has been used recently, there can be no denying that it's definitely a good time to be a Spartan.
COMMENTARY
Peaceful party
You've done well, MSU. Now don't screw it up. MSU students have shown the world that they have the restraint to turn a weekend of March Madness victories into a safe and spirited celebration.
COMMENTARY
Delayed Results
For all their hard work, T-shirts and pizza parties, ASMSU representatives shot themselves in the foot on Friday when they did not wait around to broadcast the voter turnout of their elections. After all the promises of commitment to making the undergraduate government a legitimate and important part of the university - combined with the food and snazzy ASMSU-logo cotton tees - interested students might have been left with a rather unsatisfied feeling.
COMMENTARY
Michigan tech
The Michigan Engineering Incentive - Gov. Jennifer Granholm's recently announced program to help graduates with technological degrees save on their federal Stafford Loans - strongly resembles 2003's Michigan Students First program. Although the Michigan Engineering Incentive only applies to graduates with technological degrees, Students First includes students with any college degree.
COMMENTARY
Stop and think
The question on everyone's mind, "Will history repeat itself?" is a moot point. It's not really a question, but rather a choice MSU students will make about whether to celebrate (or sulk) graciously or cut a fresh wound into the image of the university. Everyone is excited to have both of MSU's basketball teams advance to the Sweet 16.
COMMENTARY
Look closer
Remember the clear plastic backpacks, metal detectors and false bomb threats? If you attended a high school that understandably freaked out after the Columbine tragedy, these things probably still stick out in your memory.
COMMENTARY
Sharp cuts
The money's as good as gone. With Republican lawmakers consenting to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's plan to eliminate budget shortfall in the state on Wednesday, Michigan's public universities and community colleges stand to lose $30 million in state funding. The likely cuts, which will eliminate $5 million from MSU's general operating budget, are hard to accept.
COMMENTARY
Take action
If the ever-rising cost of tuition irritates you and extraneous costs you pay to groups such as ASMSU feel like a kick when you are down, hold on to that feeling. Turn on your computer and go to studentelections.msu.edu to vote in ASMSU's election.
COMMENTARY
Other options
Glancing skyward at a gas station sign, it's not hard to be troubled and discouraged by the soaring price of petroleum these days.
COMMENTARY
Too far
In recent years, the government has taken to making itself a part of people's most personal decisions. It's given views on issues such as abortion and a woman's right to control her body, the country's recognition of gay marriages and the extent of civil liberties and privacy. On Monday, U.S.
COMMENTARY
Think ahead
Leasing dates have long been a thorn in the side of MSU students. Those departing for the summer worry about obtaining a subleaser so they won't have to pay high rental fees while they are away.
COMMENTARY
Sign up
In regard to clothing, your biggest worry shouldn't be what to wear. If you are like so many others on campus who proudly display MSU's moniker, you should be most concerned with where your clothes were made. About a hundred of your fellow students voiced their worry about that issue on Friday at the Administration Building.
COMMENTARY
Free press
Regardless of one's religious or political bent, it can hardly be denied that the presence of varying viewpoints in the marketplace of ideas is generally a good thing.
COMMENTARY
Sound effects
Imagine a life devoid of music. It's not a pleasant thought. It's a proven fact that music enriches people's lives.
COMMENTARY
Coast conflict
Imagine walking down one of Michigan's beautiful beaches with your significant other. It's cold - as it is most of the time in this state - and the wind is whipping around you as walk, holding hands at the high-tide line.
COMMENTARY
Take notice
You're in college now. No one is going to tell you to clean up your room, take a shower or take out the trash. No one is going to monitor your eating habits. It is reasonable to expect that friends will look out for another person's well-being, because parents aren't around to baby-sit anymore.
COMMENTARY
Let it shine
Maybe you are like many people who believe the stereotypes that politicians and journalists are crooked.
COMMENTARY
More proof
There are a lot of things scientists can connect, and smoking and suicide are apparently two of them. According to a decade-long research project at MSU, researchers have found a link between smoking and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.