Thursday, January 1, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Multimedia

MSU

ASMSU representation from freshmen upped

The number of elected ASMSU representatives from the undergraduate student government’s Freshman Class Council has increased this year. The council, which is made up of about 30 members, met every Monday night in the middle of ASMSU’s territory - third floor of Student Services - instead of a basement corner, which officials say encouraged council members to be more involved.Five members were elected to ASMSUassemblies in the March elections.

COMMENTARY

Dad provides ideal career role model

On the wall of my dad’s office there hangs a folded up piece of paper with the words “Your an great princebul Mr. Ronko” scrawled on it in black crayon. My dad, an elementary school principal since 1993, always has been great. He was the coolest guy ever when I was a kid.

NEWS

Students discuss minority issues

Black students packed the Union Ballroom on Monday night to voice their concerns about unity and minority retention. With a seven-member student panel and an open mic, about 200 students and administrators aimed to target problems and facilitate discussion during the two-hour event. The students discussed the number of black faculty and staff members and the Task Force on Student-Police Relations.

COMMENTARY

Candidates should be profiled in SN

I must say I found The State News’ coverage of ASMSU elections most disappointing. The State News should have interviewed and listed the candidates before the election with information such as their political backgrounds so we could get some sort of idea who to support.

COMMENTARY

Taylor ought to keep commitment to U

Marcus Taylor’s announcement to enter the NBA Draft was yet another in a disturbing trend of athletes exiting school early because of the almighty dollar. I remember Taylor as he donned an MSU hat as a high-school senior.

FEATURES

How to Quit Church thoughtful, provocative

Skeptics and devout Christians will certainly have a thing or two to say about the latest book by Martin Zender; but as far as he is concerned, they can say what they want. With sarcastic and comedic overtones, he describes how pointless it is to go church.

COMMENTARY

Alcohol attitudes are in need of changing

First, I would like to question the intentions of The State News when it published the mug shots of the four students charged with providing alcohol to Eric Blair (“Case could change ‘U’ parties,” SN 3/28). If this is a new policy, I expect the mug shots of every local person arrested to be printed in the police briefs.

BASKETBALL

Mid-major teams hang together, make impact

A Saluki is defined as an ancient breed of dog with a keen sense of vision used in hunting. A Southern Illinois Saluki is an ancient breed of basketball player, using its maturity and experience in the NCAA Tournament to knock off some of the biggest names in college coaching. The sixth-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders and head coach Bobby Knight fell prey to the mighty Salukis in the first round of the tournament.

COMMENTARY

File-sharing hurts all in music industry

I read with interest Kristen VanDusen’s attempt to justify using music-sharing services like Napster, Gnutella and Music City (“File-sharing is wave of the future, music industry can’t stop it,” SN 3/25). It’s odd an advertising senior would begrudge people making a profit from their products. VanDusen seems to have a common misconception.

MSU

Group hopes week helps worker rights

Protest signs, fliers and masses of students could be a common sight on MSU’s campus during Students for Economic Justice’s first Sweatshop Awareness Week. The week’s events began Monday as group members were outside Wells Hall for six hours with information about the activist group’s cause.