Today’s weather forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies in the morning which will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon with a high of 26 degrees and a low of 20 degrees. For the weekend it looks like snow tomorrow and a mix of clouds and sunshine early on Sunday with temps sitting around the high 20s.

MSU Extension union asks for recognition from state, abandoning university process

Michigan State University Extension workers are pushing for union recognition after months of frustration with the university’s process. These employees, who serve communities across Michigan in fields like agriculture, health care, and business development, have been seeking union representation since June 2024.

But organizers say the university deliberately delayed important meetings and withheld information, leading them to take action. In October, they rallied outside MSU’s Hannah Administration building, joined by other faculty who have faced similar issues with the university.

Initially, the group tried to gain direct recognition from MSU, but after lengthy negotiations with no progress, they’ve now turned to the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, or MERC, to help form the union.

According to program instructor Stathis Pauls, “It seemed like nothing was moving, and there was no accountability.” Employees are hopeful that MERC’s election process will speed things up.

The union election is set for February 24, with around 400 MSU Extension workers eligible to vote. Among their concerns are wages that haven’t kept up with inflation, unclear evaluation standards, and lack of representation for marginalized groups. If successful, the MSU Extension workers would become the first independently organized extension bargaining unit in the state.

Controversial former MSU business dean tapped to co-chair council as part of settlement

Former Broad College of Business Dean Sanjay Gupta, who was dismissed from Michigan State University for mishandling a sexual misconduct report, has reached a settlement with the university. As part of the agreement, Gupta will co-lead MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz’s new business council.

Gupta’s dismissal in 2022 stemmed from his failure to report an assistant dean for sexual misconduct, despite being informed of the incident. Although Gupta wasn’t at the event, he did not act on the information given to him by two administrators. This led to his removal, and he later sued MSU, claiming he was falsely accused and that his firing was part of a scheme by then-provost Teresa Woodruff to prevent him from becoming the university president.

After a two-year legal battle, Gupta’s lawsuit was settled. He will now co-lead the “Green and White Council” alongside Matt Elliott, a former Bank of America executive. The council’s mission is to align MSU’s programs with the workforce needs of Michigan and ensure more graduates remain in the state. As part of the settlement, Gupta will also receive an endowed professorship, the title of dean emeritus, and reimbursement for his legal fees.

MSU student organizations celebrate completion of long-awaited Multicultural Center

After years of advocacy and anticipation, the new MSU Multicultural Center is officially open, marking a significant milestone for the university. The center, the first standalone building dedicated to serving all students, is designed as a welcoming and inclusive space for the diverse MSU community.

Students like Navya Abraham and Chris Paul are already praising the center for its calming environment, great design, and emphasis on providing students with a place to study and gather. “It’s exciting to see it all come together,” Abraham said, noting its importance in recognizing the diversity within the student body.

The center’s creation is the result of decades of student advocacy, dating back to the 1960s, when Black students first protested for increased ethnic representation at MSU. Over the years, student groups like the Black Students Alliance, APASO, and CRU pushed for more inclusive spaces, which led to the opening of a multicultural space in the MSU Union in 1999 and its relocation in 2013.

The new center, which officially opened this semester, is a major achievement for many MSU groups.

While the opening is celebrated, some, like Angel Noaks from the Black Students Alliance, stress that there’s still work to be done to ensure the center stays true to its mission of supporting all marginalized students. The center, however, represents a step forward in the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“This is a foundational step,” said Michael Oriyavong of APASO, emphasizing the need for continued support of marginalized groups on campus.

Based on original reporting by Theo Scheer, Emilio Perez Ibarguen and Demonte Thomas.

To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!

Here is the MSU Athletic line-up for the weekend…

Tonight

• Hockey will play Michigan at 7 P.M. at Munn Ice Arena.

Tomorrow

• Basketball will go against Oregon at 12 P.M. at the Breslin Center.
• Gymnastics will vs. Minnesota at 7 P.M. at Jenison Field House.

Sunday

• Women’s Basketball will play Michigan at 2 P.M. at the Breslin Center.

Here’s the MSU weekend events line-up…

Tomorrow

• Museum Tour featuring Deep-Rooted with Beal Botanical Garden will take place at 1 P.M. at the Broad Art Museum where you can learn what art can tell us about the relationship between plants and humans.

Sunday

• A virtual seminar on what theoretical physics can tell us about the origin and evolution of early life will take place at 3 P.M.

Specific information on these events can be found at events.msu.edu.