MSU board chair Vassar and trustee Denno interfered in university affairs, orchestrated 'attacks' on colleagues, report says

An investigation into impropriety within the Michigan State University Board of Trustees found that board chair Rema Vassar and trustee Dennis Denno "engaged in conduct that exceeds the scope of their authority," including interfering in university investigations and lawsuits, encouraging personal attacks against Faculty Senate chair Jack Lipton and "encouraged student actions intended to embarrass and unsettle Interim President (Teresa) Woodruff."

Meet the faces behind some of Lansing's Black-owned businesses

Lansing is home to a wide variety of Black-owned businesses, from cheesecake connoisseurs to skincare specialists. 

MSU students discuss Michigan primary elections, Presidential candidates

With the Michigan primary election being held on Tuesday, Feb. 27, many Michigan State University students expressed their thoughts on the presidential candidates and who they think will win the nomination for their respective party. 

Rocket Fizz moves to downtown East Lansing

Candy and soda chain Rocket Fizz may be new to Grand River Avenue, having opened early February , but it isn’t new to the Lansing area. “This used to be in Eastwood Towne Center,” Pitsch said. “It’s been a lot busier for sure (since moving). We have twice the amount of space and … a larger variety of items, like more Japanese and European candy.”

Dublin Square settles copyright infringement lawsuit

Dublin Square has settled the copyright infringement lawsuit filed against them in October 2023. The terms of the settlement remain confidential.

MSU Jewish community members navigate overlaps between Passover and final exams

The major Jewish holiday Passover will overlap with final exams this year, raising concerns among members of MSU’s Jewish community.

Researchers at MSU FRIB inch closer to the stars with discovery of five new isotopes

An international research team working at MSU's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams reported the creation of five new isotopes. The isotopes, which have likely never existed on the surface of the Earth until last week, are a sign of the FRIB's potential to assist scientists in recreating the conditions found when neutron stars collide in space.

MSU already paid $92k for board chair and unidentified individual's legal representation in investigation of alleged misconduct

Michigan State University has spent nearly $100,000 for legal representation of board chair Rema Vassar and one other individual in an outside investigation into allegations that Vassar violated Board of Trustees bylaws and university policies. 

Archives Book Shop to close at the end of February, owner shares sentiments over closing

Archives Book Store is set to close down in East Lansing. “One of the things I'm going to miss is a lot of the interpersonal communication with a lot of the individuals who have been or become regular customers over the years,” Owner Ray Walsh said. “I know what they're looking for, and I save stuff for them and they come in and say ‘You got it.’ And that's part of the joy of being a bookseller is kind of filling collector's needs and wants.”

MSU consolidates Title IX protections for pregnant students and employees

MSU’s Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance introduced a new policy outlining protections for students and employees who are pregnant, experiencing childbirth or pregnancy-related conditions, or are parents. Qualifying students who request accommodations can be granted periodic absences from class, extensions on assignments and can take breaks from class to express milk.

Social media tips weren’t reviewed during MSU shooting due to “concerning” policy

Due to an outdated policy, tips submitted through social media weren’t reviewed in real-time during the shooting, according to an outside review that was never released publicly. That’s now been changed.

Lansing nonprofit provides literacy services to the community

MSU College of Law Student Bar Association, Black Law Students Association condemn racism after classroom incident

The MSU College of Law Student Bar Association passed a resolution giving its unwavering support to the MSU Black Law Students Association after a Jan. 11 racial incident at the College of Law. 

MSU's new psychiatry and behavior medicine director to expand research, teaching opportunities

The College of Human Medicine has hired a new director of the division of psychiatry and behavior medicine who will work jointly with an MSU partner to increase research and education in behavior medicine.

Martha Brill Olcott, leading scholar in central-Asia and post-Soviet politics, dies at 74

Martha Brill Olcott, 74, a professor in the James Madison College, died on Feb. 5 in her home surrounded by family. Olcott was a leading scholar with a breadth of knowledge and involvement in nationality issues in Central Asia and the USSR as well as Muslim studies.

Associated Students of MSU reform presidential elections, advocate for student input in Berkey Hall decisions

The Associated Students of MSU voted in favor of a popular voting system that would allow MSU students to vote for the student body president, the East Lansing City Council adopting a ceasefire resolution to the Israel-Hamas war, and student involvement in the Berkey Hall decision making process at last night's general assembly meeting.  

Students are demanding divestment, but MSU says doing so isn’t practical

If MSU wanted to act on their demands, a complex web of outside asset managers and contractually-bound investments would put the university in a bind – without much control over its own endowment.

MSU already spent over $500k on investigation into allegations of board chair misconduct

An outside investigation into allegations that board chair Rema Vassar violated board bylaws and university policies has cost Michigan State University $500,669.98 as of Nov. 30 2023.

MSU community gathers to reflect on one-year anniversary of campus shooting at remembrance event

The MSU community came together for a remembrance gathering last night to reflect on the one-year anniversary of the Feb. 13, 2023 campus mass shooting that killed three students, injured five students, and continues to affect the community. 

Spartan advocates for gun control hope for continued reform

While MSU's advocates on the frontlines of rallies after the MSU Feb. 13 mass shooting have seen legislation change around guns, they believe there is still work to be done.