The forecast predicts that the high will be 38 and the low will be 19.

Flooding affects MSU campus, officials urge caution

Flooding across parts of Michigan State University’s campus as the Red Cedar River rises has prompted safety warnings, with officials urging people to avoid affected areas while crews monitor conditions. According to Nadia Vizueta, communications manager for MSU’s Department of Police and Public Safety, students and staff should avoid areas near the Red Cedar River, because it is especially susceptible to flooding. Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) crews have installed barricades around affected areas, including walkways near Farm Lane and along the river. “From a safety perspective, we recommend staying away from areas near the Red Cedar River, because that is prone to floods, and also to be aware of any barricades,” Vizueta said. The Red Cedar River is projected to crest at approximately 8.1 feet, considered minor flood stage, on Monday afternoon before receding later in the week, according to IPF. University officials say this level of flooding follows familiar patterns on campus. Low-lying areas across campus are expected to flood during that time, with barricades remaining in place until conditions improve. Sidewalks and bike paths along the river, including stretches between the Alumni Memorial Chapel and Farm Lane bridge, the Beal Botanical Garden and areas near the Kellogg Center and Sparty statue, are expected to close. Additional impacts include parking lots on Service Road, Chestnut Road near IM West and areas around Jenison Field House, along with the Old College Field sports complex.

Pollinators club installs ‘Bee Hotels’ on campus

A corner of Michigan State University’s campus near the Surplus Store and Recycling Center is the site of new homes for Michigan’s native bees. The Pollinators Club installed its first “bee hotel” around the intersection of Farm Lane and Service Roads on Wednesday, April 1, with plans to install two more insect inns throughout the month. A bee hotel is a structure of individual cylinders in which bees can craft individual nests, lay an egg and seal their room with mud or leaves. The cylinders vary in size, so they can appeal to a variety of bee species. “Doing a bee hotel gives them more space to have their eggs, but also keeps them safe away from animals,” said Pollinators club founder and MSU alum Vera Love. “… So it’s a nice little way to just help bees out, but also your local area.” Members of the Pollinators Club built the hotels during their meetings, which they said they felt obligated to do in light of the decline of Michigan’s native bee population. The hope is that the hotels will help stabilize the native bee population around campus, which will in turn help the local population of native plants, which rely on insects to carry their pollen.

Republicans nominate Maday and Victory for MSU trustee seats

Michigan Republicans nominated Julie Maday and State Sen. Roger Victory as their candidates for Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees. On Saturday, March 28, the Michigan Republican Party Convention was held in Novi, Mich. Delegates from across the state gathered to nominate Maday and Victory to run for the two available seats in the November election.  Since 2023, Victory has represented Michigan’s 31st district in the state Senate. From 2019 to 2022, he represented Michigan’s 30th district. Before his time in the Senate, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives. Maday is a former Novi City Council member and parent of an MSU alum. This will be Maday’s second attempt for a seat on MSU’s board. She was narrowly defeated by Trustee Rebecca Bahar-Cook, coming just over 4,000 votes short in the 2024 election. Trustee Mike Balow, the board’s sole Republican who ran on the same ticket as Maday, has endorsed her, saying, “I was proud to run with her in 2024; the margin was so razor-thin last time, that this time she is going to carry it across the finish line.”