Thursday, May 9, 2024

Life | Students

STUDENTS

U.S. House passes bill to ban TikTok, MSU students react

After much discourse over the past few years, the popular social media app TikTok is under threat of being banned after the United States House of Representatives passed a bill today. With a majority vote of 352-65, the bill, in practice, forces ByteDance, the app's parent company, to sell TikTok or be banned for over 150 million users across the country. 

STUDENTS

TicketTime: The student-made app allowing students to track parking enforcement, limit tickets

MSU students have been receiving parking tickets far and wide and with increased prices, many are trying to figure out the best way to park on campus without breaking the bank. This common problem served as the inspiration for computer science senior Keshav Babu to create the app TicketTime, an app where students can report the presence of parking enforcement in specific lots across campus, giving students the opportunity to avoid the dreaded paper slip under their windshield. 

STUDENTS

Emotional support animals provide companionship, comfort to students

Although they don’t go through formal training and certification, emotional support animals can be life-changing for their owners. Whether it is preventing or helping improve existing symptoms, emotional support animals often provide a connection that boosts an individual’s mental health. Emotional support animals benefit their owners in many ways, from giving companionship to creating a sense of responsibility. However, especially in college, there are many lifestyle factors one should consider before committing to an animal.

STUDENTS

Future Black educators at MSU navigate careers as education becomes politicized

Since 2021, 44 states have taken steps to restrict the teaching of critical race theory, as well as discussions of racism and sexism in classrooms, according to data from Education Weekly. 18 states have either signed these restrictions into law or approved similar actions. Black teacher education freshman Ferguson said these attacks on Black history affect both her identity and future profession. At the same time, they make her motivation to become a teacher stronger.

STUDENTS

MSU Memorial Tree honors shooting victims, students who died during academic year

A year after the February 13th shooting, only one permanent memorial honoring the students who were killed graces Michigan State University’s campus – the 2022-23 Student Memorial Tree. Data science sophomore Clara Linjewile believes the university should work with the families of the students who passed away to truly honor their lives. “Given the context of how they passed away, I feel like their lives should just be honored in a more significant way,” Linjewile said. 

STUDENTS

MSU students evaluate their progress on 2024 resolutions

A common mindset for the New Year is thinking of it as a time for reinvention, self-improvement and setting new standards to hold yourself to for the next 365 days. Many Michigan State University students, however, may be taking a more easy-going, self care-focused approach to 2024 to help them stick to their goals in the long-run.