Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies with a high of 48 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.

‘It’s On Us’ week to support survivors of sexual violence

This week, the Michigan State University Prevention, Outreach and Education Department (POE) is hosting its biannual “It’s On Us” week of action.

Each day of the week will have an event that seeks to bring awareness to the work that POE and MSU’s “It’s On Us” chapter are doing to support survivors of sexual assault and provide ways for community members to directly support survivors.

“It’s On Us” is a nonprofit organization focused on prevention education programs for students. It was founded in 2014 by the Obama administration and MSU’s chapter has been around since its inception.

POE Prevention Education Manager Jodie Goodman has planned the event alongside a planning committee of students and staff.

It’s important for the Week of Action to have student voices involved in the event planning, Jodie said. The planning committee, which is co-chaired by two students, has been meeting with Jodie weekly since August.

POE and MSU’s “It’s On Us” wanted students to feel that the events are for them, so students on the planning committee provide input on important factors like location and time.

Each event will be a different way for community members to provide support for survivors and for the different resources on campus. Here’s an idea of the schedule for the remainder of the week…

Today, the “Cultivate Change” event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Wells Hall Park. Participants will decorate pots and plant seeds to represent the progress made by change-makers around campus.

From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Brody Hall, there will be a Community Closet restock for the MSU Center for Survivors. One of the goals of the Week of Action is to buy out the Amazon wish list for the MSU Center for Survivor’s community closet.

Tomorrow, In Brody room 136 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be a journaling session, “Hope Action Journaling.” The goal of this event is to foster hope and resilience through journaling while thinking about actions that attendees can take to help survivors.

On Friday, there will be the grand finale of the Week of Action in Wells Hall People’s Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a candy buffet, and attendees can also make friendship bracelets while celebrating the week.

The campus partner scavenger hunt will take place all week. There are three plushies hidden at three campus resources that support survivors and students at MSU can find. There will be a clue each day, on the MSU It’s On Us Instagram, to lead students to the plushie and the first to arrive will claim the plushie as a prize.

The full schedule can be found on The State News website.

Also, for each day, participants can dress in that day’s Spirit theme color and post a selfie with the hashtag “MSUitsonusFall24” to spread the word about the week’s events. Today, students can wear purple for domestic violence awareness; tomorrow, Spartan Gear; Thursday is yellow for stalking awareness; and finally on Friday, is denim.

Beyond the Week of Action, students and community members can get involved through volunteer opportunities or by becoming a POE peer educator.

Community members gather at Baker Woodlot for invasive species removal

This past Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., several different Michigan State University student groups came together to pick up trash and remove invasive species from the Baker Woodlot on south campus, an activity that will continue throughout fall and into winter.

This event was just the beginning for Carolyn Miller, the Arboretum and invasive species coordinator at Beal Garden. She said while this event was inspired by different student groups wanting to do a Baker Woodlot cleanup, the removal of invasive species in the area is a recurring necessity for the health of the old-growth forest.

The invasive species are commonly spread by birds who eat the fruits from the plants and then defecate in other areas. The three most daunting plants for Baker Woodlot are honeysuckle, privets and buckthorn.

Carolyn said the Forestry Club had reached out to her about doing a Baker Woodlot cleanup and she said while there is some trash that can be picked up, the invasives are more common and problematic. The Honors College Service Club had also previously contacted her about getting outside for a project.

She then reached out to the fisheries and wildlife department and, all together, they planned this event.

Carolyn said this event was just the first of many for the season as she plans to have Friday afternoon workdays in the woodlot where people can join her in removing the problematic plants. She said information will soon be posted on the Beal Garden and Arboretum websites where community members can sign up.

Spartans rely on seasonal essentials to stay healthy during fall weather

As the days grow shorter and the weather gets chillier, Michigan State University students are leaning on their favorite fall essentials to stay warm, focused and healthy. From layering up to facing the gloomy weather, here’s what’s getting Spartans through the fall season.

With Michigan’s famously unpredictable fall weather, layering is a survival skill for MSU students. Hoodies and flannels are just a few favorites, helping students bundle up against the cold, damp mornings and cloudy skies.

The gloomy, overcast days of fall can wipe out students’ energy and make getting out of bed for class feel extra challenging. To stay motivated, some students lean into the season with cozy decor and festive touches to brighten up their space.

Others take a different approach, sticking to routines that prioritize early mornings, keeping their momentum steady even on the cloudiest days.

With the cooler temperatures and an increase in sickness, students rely on warm drinks and healthy foods to stay warm, healthy and to boost their immune systems.

The choice of immune-boosting ingredients helps students stay resilient against seasonal colds during chilly months.

Foods and drinks aren’t the only healthy essentials that Spartans recommend for the fall season. Many students also turn to vitamins, like vitamin D, fish oil and ginger root. They help combat illness and keep their bodies healthy and energized despite the unpredictable weather.

Though the gloomy weather often tempts people to stay indoors, MSU students recommend staying active by enjoying seasonal outings with friends. Others make the most of MSU’s resources by participating in wellness and exercise classes at IM East and IM West, keeping their energy and spirits lifted despite the chilly days.

Fall at MSU can be as challenging as it is beautiful, with chilly temperatures and gloomy days that test even the most motivated students. These essentials, along with a little extra motivation, help Spartans navigate the demands of academic life while prioritizing health.

Based on original reporting by Hannah Locke, Anna Barnes, and Jessica Pruitt.