The forecast predicts that the high will be 54 and the low will be 29.
RCAH theater hosts experimental music collaboration
In the basement of Snyder-Phillips Hall is the Michigan State University record label, Bogue Street Records. One of the first albums released under the label is Day Zero Breakdown, by Lansing local Dennis Hinrichsen. In collaboration with two other Michigan artists, Worm Moon and bioPrism, the album was performed in the RCAH Theatre on Wednesday. The performance was experimental, combining different art styles to convey an environmental message. After the performance of Day Zero Breakdown, Hinrichsen held a book signing at the Lookout! Gallery for his latest book, Dementia Lyrics. “The accompanying album from Bogue Street Records, Day Zero Breakdown, captures this merging of spoken word with experimental music,” Hinrichsen said. “But the book is also seriously focused on systematic failure, not only of the body but of our ways of thinking about the planet, with particular focus on the diminishing source of fresh water.” Showcasing his art isn’t new for Hinrichsen, as he has been writing for much of his life. “I’ve done book signings many times before. I’ve been writing for nearly 50 years and published 12 books, so lots of practice,” Hinrichsen said.
Trustee doubles down on call to restore diversity efforts at MSU, improve support for Black students
A Michigan State University trustee is doubling down on her call for the institution to roll back changes to diversity infrastructure and better support Black students, after MSU officials claimed she mischaracterized the state of diversity and equity efforts at the university. Tensions between Trustee Rema Vassar and the university arose earlier this month when she wrote in an Op-Ed that the university had “zero legal justification” to continue dismantling DEI efforts on campus because the Trump administration had stopped contesting a federal judge’s order preventing the administration from withholding funds from institutions maintaining DEI programs. Vassar wrote that the rolling back of DEI infrastructure at MSU is acutely impacting Black students. That piece, written days before the MSU Board of Trustees’ February meeting, was criticized by MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, who said he and other administrators were disappointed by the Op-Ed. Board Chair Brianna Scott said the article put the work that MSU has done in a negative light, and cast doubt where “it should not have been.”
VP’s former institution investigated her fundraising department over the misuse of funds
On the morning of Nov. 18, 2018, donors to Colorado State University received a routine email from the institution’s fundraising arm. It was National Philanthropy Day, and the University Advancement office was taking the opportunity to thank its donors for their generosity. For one disgruntled donor, however, the email presented an opportunity to air some grievances about the department’s leader. “Kim Tobin uses University Funds for private expenditures,” Caleb Ochs replied to the automated message. “You will never receive a dime from me until she is no longer employed at the university.” Two hours later, Ochs submitted an identical message to the university’s misconduct hotline. The report was one of four tips alleging financial misconduct by Tobin that CSU received between Sept. 5 and Nov. 16, 2018, which sparked an internal investigation into spending within advancement that concluded in February 2019. The contents of the investigation and relevant evidence, totaling 188 pages, were obtained by The State News through a public records request. Other tips alleged similar financial misconduct and questioned Tobin’s leadership skills, with one stating that “frustration is growing out of not only misuse of funds, but also bullying, favoritism and fear of retaliation.”
