Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy with a high of 84 degrees and a low of 56 degrees.
Excess of students causes overcrowding in MSU dorms
This fall, some of MSU’s incoming freshmen got more than they signed up for.
Hundreds of students living in Akers, Hubbard and Wilson Halls were put with transitional student roommates at the start of the year. This meant their dorm space, which typically holds two people, had to suddenly accommodate three. The squeeze put stress not only on the transitional students but on the unsuspecting roommates as well.
The issue stems from the overlapping processes of accepting students and estimating how many of them will be living in the dorms, while students are also choosing where to attend.
MSU typically sets overall targets for the amount of first-year students and transfer students it recruits. But Vice Provost of Enrollment and Academic Strategic Planning Dave Weatherspoon said that when it comes to transfer students, MSU assumes that their needs for dorm rooms may not be as high.
Additionally, the closure of Campbell Hall for renovations and FAFSA delays meant that not only was there less space, but it was also unclear how many students would be enrolling for the fall.
Since move-in, MSU’s housing services have met backlash from students and parents alike, who say they were not aware of the situation or believe it is unfair, said associate communication’s director for Residence Education and Housing Services Bethany Balks said.
Students who are in transitional housing will also have to move again during the school year. The process has already started, Balks said, with over 500 transitional housing assignments at the start of the semester now being under 300.
Balks said students can put in a maintenance request for assistance in moving their belongings to their new space. If MSU keeps breaking down transitional rooms at this rate, Balks said they expect to be done by the start of the coming spring semester.
MSU Observatory hosted International Observe the Moon Night
The MSU Observatory hosted a public observing night in celebration of International Observe the Moon Night this past Saturday.
To mark the occasion, the observatory opened longer than usual and offered more hands-on activities for kids. Moving forward, there will only be two more public observing nights until it closes for the winter.
Students and community members were able to tour and receive a brief history of the observatory as they made their way to the dome. Every 15 minutes, groups looked through the 24-inch telescope to see the waxing gibbous moon in the night sky.
While waiting for their tour rotations, groups used several smaller telescopes outside of the observatory.
Although the observatory won’t be hosting events during the winter, people can take advantage of the at-home tools the observatory provides, like binoculars and telescopes, to observe the night sky whenever they want.
The life of an MSU cheerleader
At Michigan State sporting events, the athletes on the field, court, rink or track are the focus. But what about the athletes on the sideline?
The MSU Cheerleading team is known for its familiar chants and crowd engagement. But behind the high kicks, big stunts and chants are student-athletes who work long hours to represent MSU.
For finance senior Nick McDonald, joining the cheer team was initially for a pastime but quickly turned into much more.
As student-athletes, the cheerleaders must balance cheer life with work and school. Practices are five days a week during football season and four days a week during basketball season.
Home games are not the only events where MSU cheerleaders perform. They travel for away games as well.
The MSU Cheerleading team is a family, Nick said, and he views his time on the team with great memories.
So, when attending an MSU football or basketball game, don’t miss the MSU cheerleaders chanting “Go, Green, Go, White.”
Based on original reporting by Anna Layden, Somer Sodeman and Jania Clowers.
