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MSU

University policy provides leeway for students to declare majors

Olivia Dimmer
December 3, 2013

University officials are reviewing a proposed change to academic policy that would allow students to officially declare a major a full year earlier — at the end of their freshman year instead of sophomore year. The proposal allows, but does not require, students to declare a major at 28 credits instead of 56 credits, as the current policy mandates. Traditionally, all students with fewer than 56 credits are considered no preference majors. Although they might know what major they want to declare, they cannot technically do so until they reach 56 credits. The new policy would have colleges assume responsibility for students at the end of their first year rather than their second.

MSU

MSU to focus on civil rights

Simon Schuster
December 3, 2013

Next year will mark two historic anniversaries in U.S. civil rights, and MSU wants to makes sure they don’t go unobserved. Marketed as “a year-long community conversation on civil and human rights,” Project 60/50 was announced Tuesday in an email from MSU President Lou Anna K.

NEWS

Popping pills

Celeste Bott
December 3, 2013

Earth science senior Mitch Raeck takes Adderall to feel normal.?“I always say that if it wasn’t for Adderall, I wouldn’t be attending MSU,” Raeck said. “I need it to be a regular college student. Without it I wouldn’t be able to focus. I wouldn’t be able to have a job.” Raeck was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, as a child. ADHD is a relatively common mental disorder characterized by overactivity, impulsivity and difficulty paying attention or being productive. Adderall is a stimulant medication composed of amphetamines and often is prescribed to people like Raeck to help them focus.

MICHIGAN

Michigan taking steps to create veterans benefits

Veterans are beginning to see the results of state efforts to make Michigan a more veteran-friendly place after condemnation from both public agencies and citizens. Experts say the state has struggled to provide benefits for veterans in the past, but Michigan is beginning to surge with a collective, if somewhat decentralized effort to address the influx of post-9/11 veterans and accommodate them.

MSU

MSU College of Engineering looking to add new department

Justine McGuire
December 3, 2013

A new department could be on the horizon for the MSU College of Engineering, and would be a home for faculty and students with biomedical engineering interests. The proposed Department of Biomedical Engineering would help the university recruit exceptional students and faculty in the field and give a more relevant home for those who are already doing research in the area, said Acting Dean of Engineering Leo Kempel.

MSU

Jewish students, faculty celebrate Hanukkah privately with friends

April Jones
December 3, 2013

As the eight nights of Hanukkah continue throughout the week, MSU students and faculty join together each night to participate in the holiday tradition of lighting the Hanukkah menorah. Historically, Hanukkah is meant to celebrate two miracles, Rabbi Hendel Weingarten of MSU’s Chabad said. The first is the victory Jewish people had over the Syrian-Greek persecutors, and the second is the ability of a small flask of oil to remain lit in the menorah in the Temple for eight days.

MEN'S SOCCER

MSU men's soccer continues historic season

Zach Smith
December 3, 2013

The MSU men’s soccer team is entering relatively uncharted territory. For the first time since 1968, the 11th-seeded Spartans are headed to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight after a 1-0 upset victory against Georgetown on Sunday afternoon. They take on Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Saturday with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball brings in 5 Big Ten awards

Omari Sankofa II
December 3, 2013

With the regular season over, five MSU volleyball players were honored as Big Ten post-season award winners on Tuesday. Junior libero Kori Moster was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year. Senior Lauren Wicinski was a unanimous All-Big Ten selection, with senior middle blocker Alexis Mathews and Moster being named honorable mentions. For the second straight season, senior setter Kristen Kelsay was the Sportsmanship Award winner, and freshman outside Chloe Reinig was selected to the All-Freshman team.

FOOTBALL

Dantonio on BCS title: 'Why not us?'

Dillon Davis
December 3, 2013

“Why not us?” That is indeed the question following Mark Dantonio’s weekly press conference with the media yesterday afternoon. With only a few days before the No. 10 Spartans (11-1 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) travel to Indianapolis for a date with No. 2 Ohio State (12-0, 8-0) in the Big Ten Championship Game, the MSU head coach briefly entertained a scenario that would send the Spartans to Pasadena — not for the Rose Bowl, but for the BCS National Championship Game.

MSU

Vienna Boys' Choir to perform at Wharton Center tonight

Micaela Colonna
December 3, 2013

Active for more than 500 years, the Vienna Boys’ Choir is one of the most renowned boys’ choirs in the world, and will perform “Christmas in Vienna” on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Wharton Center. Tickets range from $15 to $47. Until the early 20th century, the group originally sang for the imperial court, the mass, for private functions and state occasions. Today, the choir is divided into four touring sub-groups, each named after famous Austrian composers — Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert — who were at one time associated with the choir.

SPORTS

Column: NCAA rules clearly spell out Miller suspension

Derek Kim
December 3, 2013

The shadow of the birds’ wings was all Braxton Miller needed. Ohio State running back Dontre Wilson and offensive lineman Marcus Hall were ejected for their participation in a near-bench clearing scuffle against Michigan on Saturday. The Big Ten spent the past three days reviewing film and officials’ reports of the incident.

MICHIGAN

Police investigating on-campus robbery

Katie Abdilla
December 3, 2013

Police are investigating a robbery that occurred on campus at about 8 p.m. on Sunday. According to a police statement, an 18-year-old male student was standing near a bus stop on Wilson Road near West Akers Hall when an unknown male approached him, asking to use his cell phone.

NEWS

International Expansion

Simon Schuster
December 3, 2013

Throughout the past 10 years, international student enrollment at MSU has seen stagnation and in many cases, even decline, with one big exception — China. Data compiled by The State News from the Office for International Students and Scholars illustrates how students from the booming country have come to dominate the composition of MSU’s international student body by sheer numbers alone. The meteoric rise of Chinese students at MSU reflects broader trends, only much more dramatically, exhibiting growth significantly above national and state averages. In particular, the influx of undergraduates from the world’s most populous nation has been the primary, if not sole, driver of MSU’s international enrollment growth since undergraduate students from abroad first eclipsed international graduate students in 2009.