Welcome to our first episode of The State in 2025!
Today’s weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with possible flurries or snow showers with a high of 4 degrees and a low of -8.
ASMSU votes no confidence in Board of Trustees for ‘noncompliance’ with divestment advocates
The Associated Students of Michigan State University voted no confidence in the Board of Trustees last Thursday in another push for MSU to divest from Israel and weapons manufacturers.
The bill was in part a response to the Board of Trustees’ vote last month to establish a presidentially appointed committee of students, staff and faculty who will be permitted to formally consider “non-financial” concerns over particular investments.
That motion, the ASMSU bill argues, failed to mention the role of “social conscience” in university investments — something that Muslim Student Association Rep. Abdul Mohi, who introduced the bill, said violates the board’s ethical obligations and walks back on a prior agreement.
The bill states that at a July 2024 meeting between student representatives and administrators, which included President Kevin Guskiewicz and Trustee Sandy Pierce, attendees discussed revisions to MSU’s investment policy. According to the bill, “it was agreed upon that the 2024 review of this would generate a definition of ‘social conscience.'”
But the board’s newly revised policy has no reference to or definition of “social conscience.” This, bill 61-53 argues, is a direct violation of the Board of Trustees Code of Ethics and Conduct Standard 1.
The bill also repeats ASMSU’s calls for MSU to divest from a list of entities including “weapons manufacturers,” “investments firms and banks investing in weapons manufacturers” and “the state of Israel.”
The bill passed with 19 in favor, one against, and six abstentions.
How easy is it to successfully appeal a parking ticket at MSU?
Walking out of class to find a parking ticket on your windshield is not a good feeling, especially for people who believe their ticket was unjust. However, drivers can pursue an option to skirt the sometimes costly fines.
Appeals can be submitted online or mailed to MSU Parking Services and are considered before a violation fee is paid.
MSUDPS issued 97,585 parking citations in 2023. Since the MSU Board of Trustees raised the price of parking violation fines in 2023, parking tickets are not as trivial a cost, meaning if a student finds a ticket to be unfair, they will likely file an appeal rather than eat the expensive fine.
But drivers have varying levels of success when it comes to getting their tickets thrown out. That decision often seems to depend on who is at fault for a violation or potential error.
According to public records from the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety, there were a total of 8,239 parking violation appeals made in 2023. Of that number, 4,469 were successful and 3,770 were denied, meaning more than half of the appeals made that year were successful.
MSU Department of Police and Public Safety Parking Coordinator Emily Ryal said an appeal’s success often depends on whether it’s been filed for a valid reason.
Parking appeals can be submitted via email or mail, and the process typically takes around 12 business days. During peak ticket times of the school year, such as the end of each semester, Ryal said waiting periods may be longer.
While students often receive violations after choosing not to pay for parking time, some students say they have received tickets even when they have paid for the given amount of time.
Psychology sophomore Madison Riske filed an appeal after receiving a ticket in Lot 62, even though she said she had paid for the ticket via the SpotOn app.
Riske said that she went on the app to pay for her spot before heading into IM West. When she got out, she was shocked to find a ticket on her car. She then went back on the app to find that her payment failed to go through even though the app had previously told her her payment was successful.
She then filed an appeal, including screenshots of the initial payment she had made for that spot. A few days later, she received an email stating that her appeal had been denied.
Riske ended up paying the fine but said she was frustrated that she had to pay for something that was out of her control.
MSU hosts celebration events for MLK Day
With Martin Luther King Jr. Day yesterday, Michigan State University has a wide range of events scheduled which started last week.
Through Jan. 24, MSU will be hosting the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration to honor Dr. King’s legacy.
Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer for ASMSU and a member of the 2025 MLK Planning Committee Alex Guo said these specific events were chosen because they showcase the community overall.
Yesterday the MLK Commemorative March took place at 9 a.m.
Hosted by the Student Planning Committee and the MSU Divine Nine National Pan-Hellenic Council, a reception was also held at the Multicultural Center after the program.
Today, the Social Justice Film and Discussion on Fannie Lou Hamer’s “America” will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the MSU Library in the Green Room.
Hosted by MSU Libraries and WKAR Public Media, the screening will also be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A featuring an array of individuals from the Lansing City Council to Ph.D. candidates.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, Coffee and Conversation will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. at Chittenden Hall.
Additionally, on Thursday, Jan. 23, MLK Observance by the MSU Medical Colleges will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. at Conrad Hall Auditorium.
On Friday, Jan. 24, the MLK Historical Landmark Virtual Student Engagement Exchange will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Clara Bell Smith Center Auditorium.
Until Feb. 28, the MLK Commemorative Celebration “Stuff the Library” event will be taking place.
More information on all of these events can be found at inclusion.msu.edu.
Based on original reporting by Anish Topiwala, Hannah Holycross and Amy Cho.