Elections & Politics

Uncovering Information During the Israel-Palestine Conflict

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Since the Israel-Palestine conflict resurged again on Oct. 7, students, professors and residents in Michigan have been pressured to choose one of two sides. The Palestine supporters in Greater Lansing include those originally from Palestine, who have family currently or formally there or for other reasons. 

Since the attacks, MSU’s Students United for Palestinian Rights (SUPR) have held multiple protests, rallies and discussions to gain support for people who are pro-Palestine, or those who want to have a better understanding of the conflict. Initially, they held a “Justice for Palestine” protest at the Michigan Capitol, where over 400 people gathered to support Palestine in its ongoing conflict with Israel. SUPR’s message was to “stop the genocide” and to “tell Biden and all elected officials to a ceasefire.”

Many attendees were wearing or waving the Palestine flag, throwing a fist in the air or holding signs.

Campus News

Board of Trustees Approves $100,000 College of Veterinary Medicine Fund

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Earlier this fall, the MSU Board of Trustees met to discuss varying topics that affect students and faculty at the school, including grants, budget and finances, academic affairs, and student life and culture. According to a recently approved proposal, the FFE-MaryDee Sist DVM Scholarship Fund establishes a $100,000 fund as “an endowment to provide scholarship support for students” in the College of Veterinary Medicine. 

But who is allowed to submit an application for the scholarship? Is there any preference for a student? The scholarship is for students enrolled in the College of Veterinary Medicine who have demonstrated financial need and are in good academic standing. The $100,000 for the fund will be transferred from “the University’s restricted gift account,” the proposal said, where additional gifts can be added to the fund. 

Interim President Teresa Woodruff said that the “motion carried” with a unanimous vote of 8-0 to approve the scholarship fund.

Elections & Politics

Governor Whitmer Enacts Legislation Protecting Minors’ Right to Consent in Marriage

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In a historic move, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill, HB 4302, aimed at safeguarding the well-being of minors in Michigan by raising the minimum age of consent for marriage to 18. This action not only represents a continuation of Whitmer’s previous initiatives signed into law in early 2023, but also positions Michigan as a progressive leader, making it the tenth state in the United States to officially eliminate child marriage. Before the bill, the legal age to get married in Michigan was 16 with parental consent. The bill was first introduced on March 16, 2023, and passed on Sep. 26. 

The other nine states that have a ban on underage marriage with no exceptions are Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut. 

“I am committed to keeping Michiganders – especially young women – safe and healthy, and today’s bipartisan bill fully implements Michigan’s ban on child marriage,” Whitmer said in a press release.