Instead of partying in tropical destinations this spring break, some students are opting to serve communities and engage in self-reflection as a participant of an alternative spring break program. MSU has several different programs aiming to provide opportunities for students to travel, nationally and internationally, during the course of the spring break holiday.
When chemical engineering junior Crystal Alton travels to Brunswick, Ga., for the High Tide Ultimate Frisbee Tournament in March, she’s going to look good. “You gotta be cute for all the men ultimate frisbee players,” Alton said.
Study Abroad programs are popular for MSU students, but for some who can’t spare a summer, there is another option. MSU offers programs during spring break, both domestically and internationally, which range in popularity among students, according to course organizers.
As students depart for spring break vacations, crime at on- and off-campus housing remains active. Though students are gone, the MSU and East Lansing police departments receive calls and complaints of break-ins and theft during the holiday.
As a travel expert for STA Travel, 207 E. Grand River Ave., Tamara Hewlett can predict when large amounts of students will come in to plan a spring break vacation. “When it would start snowing, I would say, ‘Okay, I know we’re going to get spring break bookings today,’ and we would,” Hewlett said. STA Travel employee and MSU alumna Hewlett said despite the recent economy, spring break bookings have actually increased.
Kathleen Webb has been a loyal customer at her favorite tanning salon for six years. A regular at Bronze Bay Tanning Salon, 109 E. Grand River Ave., — the only tanning salon she’s ever been to in East Lansing — the physiology senior said this spring break season, she’s looking forward to hitting the salon before she hits the beach.
This week has marked the last few days of business for two downtown East Lansing secondhand clothing stores. Scavenger Hunt, 503 E. Grand River Ave., closed down business Jan. 31, and ReThreads, 543 E. Grand River Ave., plans to close down Feb. 4., leaving two vacant spaces among a stretch of stores and restaurants.
Since supposed spirits appeared in her photographs and she was overcome with psychic premonitions during her childhood, MSU alumna Samantha Harris has been hooked on the paranormal. Harris is the founder and director of the Michigan Paranormal Research Association, MPRA, which held a lecture at the East Lansing Public Library on Monday night to share their best evidence, experiences and theories to prove paranormal activities and spirits exist.
Students tired of suffering through the morning after a night of drinking might find relief in Drinkwel — a recent vitamin supplement created to counteract some negative effects of drinking — but doctors and professionals still say healthy habits are the easiest way to feel best in drinking’s aftermath.
The Lansing and East Lansing metropolitan area has been ranked top in the country among 100 metropolitan areas for job creation in manufacturing, goods producing and transportation and utilities, according to data from The Urban Institute released last week.
On Friday night, students gathered to watch an enraged Liam Neeson hunt for sex trafficking criminals that captured his daughter in the 2008 movie “Taken.” But for most of those caught in the snares of human trafficking, there isn’t an ex-CIA agent father there to help them escape, members of the MSU chapter of International Justice Mission said at the event.
With a few moments of silence, students plan to remember the 64th anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of peaceful protests and nonviolent resistance in India. The MSU Indian Students Organization, ISO, plan to pay homage in remembrance of his life and ideologies at about 6 p.m. tonight in the Spartan Village Community Center, graduate student Sivaram Murthy, ISO’s web coordinator, said.
The Michigan Paranormal Research Association, or MPRA, will host a presentation today from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road.
The search for a new East Lansing city manager now likely is one day from completion following a day of public candidate interviews conducted by the city council. The five finalists met with the council in front of residents and other city administrators throughout the day at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, answering questions dealing with everything from East Lansing’s relationship with MSU to the city’s environmental sustainability policies.
Shuttle service company Michigan Flyer is introducing four new luxury motor coaches to its fleet, according to a company announcement. The new fleet of buses are equipped with selective catalytic reduction, which will allow the buses to produce near-zero emissions.
Students will have a new place to get their hair cut when Great Clips opens a new store on the corner of Grand River Avenue and M.A.C. Avenue in February. The new store will add to the company’s approximately 3,000 salons in the U.S. and Canada, including their 2843 E. Grand River Ave. location in East Oak Square, which opened in 2003.
“I thought my hand was frostbitten when I got to class the other day — I guess I gotta get some gloves.” Matt Smith Premedical freshman
No trial date has been set for alleged dog killer and former MSU student Andrew Thompson. During his pretrial at Lansing’s 30th Circuit Court on Wednesday, Judge Paula Manderfield decided the case will not go to a preliminary hearing and move right to trial, though she gave no time frame as to when that might occur.
Students interested in the environment and natural resources can attend an internship and career fair today to meet with potential employers in the field. A number of corporations, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations will be present to talk with students about opportunities within their organizations. The fair will take place today from 3-6 p.m.
When the state of Michigan celebrates its “birthday” today, there might not be enough room for candles on the cake.