Policies for police oversight rarely followed, not advertised

This is part three of a series on dysfunction in the MSU Police Oversight Committee. Part one gave a general overview of the committeeand covered how little it had met in the last three years. Part two noted how any complaints forwarded to the committee were reviewed by only one person. This part looksat the Secretary of Academic Governance and other concerns about the committee.

Ancient elk bones brought to MSU Museum

An ancient elk bones that were stolen from a paleontology sight in Shiawassee county more than 30 years ago were put into the hands of the MSU Museum just before Christmas.  MSU Museum communication manager Lora Helou said an anonymous person dropped the bones off just before break and gave no information with the bones. The rare bones included an elk’s skull and antlers.

Complaints against MSU police first reviewed by only one person

This is part two of a series on dysfunction in the MSU Police Oversight Committee. Part one gave a general overview of the committee and covered how little it had met in the last four years. This part looks into the type of complaints heard by the committee and how state law plays a role. According to the MSU Police Oversight Committee's Statement of Purpose, "Complaints credible in nature will require the Chairperson to contact the complainant to confirm the details of the complaint, and subsequently notify and forward the complaint to all Committee members." Council of Graduate Students member Robert Vankirkch, who sits on the oversight committee, said this is a concern as it gives the power to one individual, the chair of the committee, to determine if a complaint is credible or not before the whole committee has chance to hear it. Vankirk also noted the current chair of the committee has "connections to the university."

Sen. Debbie Stabenow announces program to relieve student debt

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced an initiative aimed at reducing the cost of going to college and making student loan debt more manageable during a media conference call on Tuesday morning. Titled #InTheRed, the effort has a three-fold plan to tackle the student debt issue. The first measure aims to refinance student loans down to the lowest rate from the previous academic year, the second part includes increasing Pell Grants, adding in cost of living as a major factor in financial calculations for the grants and the final component will utilize a partnership between state and federal government to provide two free years of community college education to students who qualify.

Students sign petition asking for Gov. Rick Snyder's resignation

In light of the recent controversies affecting Gov. Rick Snyder, state-appointed officials and officials from the city of Flint, some students are calling for Snyder's resignation regarding the water issues in Flint. After a cost-saving strategy of moving water utilities in Flint area homes and schools to the Flint River as opposed to the Detroit, Great Lakes system, high concentrations of lead and other corrosive materials were found in the water.

MSU ahead of schedule to eliminate use of coal by end of 2016

In a 2014 panel, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon announced that MSU’s T.B. Simon Power Plant would nearly eliminate the purchasing and burning of coal by the end of 2015. As part of MSU’s 2012 "Energy Transition Plan," this would be the first step in a goal to completely eliminate coal use by the end of 2016. However, the end of coal at MSU might come faster than planned. Coal purchasing has ended, and the goal of eliminating coal use completely should be met with more than a half year to spare.

Diversity Career Fair to be MSU's largest event of spring semester

On Jan. 21 the Diversity Career Fair is being held at the Breslin Center from 2 to 6 p.m.

Detroit Public TV to announce partnership with WKAR

WKAR and Detroit Public Television will announce their partnership today, according to a press release.

For MSUPD, complaints against officers go largely unheard

This is part one of a three-part series examining dysfunction in the MSU Police Oversight Committee. Four. That is the number of times Deb Bittner said the MSU Police Oversight Committee, sometimes referred to as the Department of Police and Public Safety Oversight Committee, has met since 2012. Bittner has been on the committee since 2012 and has been the chair of the committee since August.

President Simon discusses future decision of possible WKAR-TV auction

With the future of WKAR-TV up in the air, affiliates of the station are thinking about outcomes that will come from the decision to send or not to send in an application for auction. At the Dec.18 Board of Trustees meeting, the board passed a resolution granting President Lou Anna K. Simon full authority to decide to file an application for the Federal Communication Commission auction or not.

A guide for filing for student aid

The application for Federal Student Aid became available Jan. 1. Here is a guide to follow on how to get the most aid. 

4 things to know before a decision regarding WKAR-TV is made

On Jan. 11, a public forum to discuss the possible auction of WKAR-TV will be held at 7 p.m. in room 147 of the Communication Arts and Sciences Building.

$35 million for Healthy Campus Initiative won’t go toward new IM facilities

Four takeaways from the Board of Trustees meeting

MSU's Board of Trustees met Friday to discuss various items from contracts to a new scholarship. Here are five takeaways from the meeting which show us what's to come in the MSU administration: 1.

Student Greenhouse Project takes third in design contest

MSU's Student Greenhouse Project won third place in the Student Solar Design Competition.

Six takeaways from ASMSU's last meeting of the year

The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) have passed legislation pertaining to the Safe Campus Act and the MSU People Search. Here is a list of bills passed by ASMSU this week and what they could mean for students.

ASMSU chartering bus for students to Cotton Bowl game

At Thursday's ASMSU General Assembly meeting, student representatives voted to fund a Cotton Bowl travel option for student ticket owners.

Chinese student group helps international students adapt to new lifestyle

For international students dealing with a language barrier, a different culture and a foreign setting, how easy is it for them to feel welcome at MSU?

Week in Review: Dec. 11, 2015

Hello Spartans! Here are your top stories for this week. MSU won the Big Ten Championship game against Iowa, 16-13, and Cedar Village had its usual celebration.

MSU PeaceJam hosts concert to discuss terrorism, injustice

Students and family members gathered in the basement of Snyder-Phillips for the first ever MSU PeaceJam Jam, an event organized by the activist group MSU PeaceJam and residential college in arts and humanities (RCAH) sophomore Charlie Burg. The event's theme focused on societal injustice and terrorism, a topic explored by the night's dozen or so performances.