Parking problems at MSU

After interviewing some students and teachers about parking here at MSU, I found that just like me many people are unhappy with the parking system. However, those same people did not agree with my idea of free parking for students.

When I asked some students walking on Grand River if they liked the parking system at MSU, they gave me a one-word answer: NO!

But when I asked those same students what they thought about free parking for students, surprising to me, most of the students said they would love free parking, but they believe it would be more chaotic than before.

The one person that stuck out to me was Lucas Daniels who was a fifth-year student at MSU and was very passionate against parking at MSU. He said the parking on campus is pretty terrible and he definitely thinks it is a problem.

He said he has gotten “a full tree of parking tickets” and even his family and friends have gotten tickets on campus and they don’t even go here.

Daniels said he doesn’t know of a solution to the parking problem, but ASMSU or President Simon must do something.

One student, Sean Connor, had a different opinion than Daniels and said the parking could be better, but it is functional and it could be much worse. He said the P.A.C.E parking enforcers have to give out tickets and it is not their fault, it is the fault of the people who park illegally

Despite Connor’s thoughts, my interviews proved to me that students are not happy with parking at MSU. Much like Daniels I believe something must be changed, but I don’t know what.

I thought free parking for students would help, but the University would lose a lot of money. One other idea I have is to build a lot that only students can use and have a flat rate  cheap price. No matter what though parking will always be a problem. 

My Opinion on MSU parking

I do not have a car, but whenever my parents ask me about buying one I say it's not necessary because there's no need to have it at school. 

Some people think I am crazy for not wanting a car, but the reason I don't is because parking on Michigan State's campus is a huge pain. 

The main problem is parking is extremely expensive. There are smaller rates for students, but there is no place you can park for free as a student and I think that is unfair. 

As a student, one could get a parking pass and park at one of the lots, but those lots are pretty far. Another option is parking in one of the parking garages, but to park in those garages you either need to pay a meter or a booth after you park. 

To me, these options aren't worth it and I would rather bike to class or just walk. 

But I didn't know if I was the only one who felt this way or if the rest of the student body was with me. So I set out to find the answers to this question. 

Lansing Blood Donation Center

There is also the ability to go in to the American Red Cross Lansing Blood Donation Center and donate at anytime. Even though I am a big blood donor, I had never heard about this center before. 

Unlike typical Blood Drives, where the Red Cross likes you to make an appointment before donating, at the Lansing Blood Donation Center they encourage people to just walk in and donate!

I went to this Blood Center to check it out. I went at 5:00 so it was not very busy, but a nurse said that somedays they are packed and others they only get one or two people. 

One man who was donating at the time was listening to music to keep himself calm and distract from the actual process. 

Another girl who just finished donating said she is afraid of needles but still loves to donate because it helps people out. She said she started donating when she was 17 years old, and now is 23 and has donated at least 14 times. 

The Blood Center is open for donors until 5:30 everyday. They encourage anyone, especially students, to walk right in and donate at anytime. 

Giving Blood

I have given blood ever since I was able to at age 17. I actually enjoy it and it really helps people out. 

The American Red Cross holds over 200,000 blood drives a year. These blood drives are needed because the Red Cross said that there are 5 million people in the US who need blood. 

A lot of people are afraid of giving blood, but not everyone realizes how much it helps. Every time you donate you can save up to 3 lives!  

There are plenty of blood drives held right here on MSU's campus. These blood drives can take place in certain dorms or The International Center. These blood drives are always looking for more donors, but if you are too afraid to donate, you can always volunteer.  

Red Cross Communications manager Monica Stoneking said that they target the younger people to try to get them to donate. She said that most of these people have never donated before and their blood type could be O Negative, which is a blood type that is really needed. 

There is always a need for more people to donate blood. There are a lot of desperate people who really need our help and need our blood. I encourage anyone who has never donated before to at least go out and try to donate. 

Plus, after every time you donate you get free snacks and refreshments! 

2011 NBA Champions: Dallas Mavericks

Wow! What an amazing end to an amazing series in an amazing NBA playoffs. Take that Lebron! 

With game six in the books, the Mavs won their first title despite a bad performance from MVP Dirk Nowitzki. But Jason Terry stepped in crunch time and had a spectacular game when his team needed him most. 

The Mavericks bench outperformed the Heat and proved which team wanted it more. Lebron James played better in the fourth, but it still wasn’t enough and it was too little, too late. Dwayne Wade was on a mission, but he faltered in the end, as the Mavericks were just too much. 

They were a true team as they played unselfishly, hustled, and played hard at every moment. No team deserves it more than the Dallas Mavericks as they had a bunch of old timers like Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry, and Tyson Chandler who are great players who deserve a title. Rick Carlise and Mark Cuban, the owner and coach respectively, deserve this title, as they have been dedicated throughout their whole careers. 

It was a spectacular NBA playoffs as each series was competitive and intense. It was one of the best NBA playoffs I have ever watched and I couldn’t be happier that the Heat blew it and lost in the NBA finals. The Heat might be back, but for now the big three failed! GO MAVS! 

NBA Finals Game 6 preview

Game six of the NBA Finals is less than four hours away and I couldn’t be more excited for it. This year’s NBA Finals have been out of this world. 


Every single game has been extremely close and has come down to the wire. The Finals have been a lot like the NHL playoffs because I never know what to expect. 


At one moment the big three, Lebron, Wade and Bosh, seem to be rolling and it appears that they are the much better team. But then, boom, the Mavericks, led by superstar Dirk Nowitzki, take over the game and prove they are the better team.

In game four, Lebron only scored eight points, but in game five he had a triple-double. Who knows what he is going to do in an elimination game, but one thing is for certain; he must be better in the fourth quarter. 


Lebron has just 11 points in five fourth quarters in the finals; that is pathetic and he must improve upon that if the Heat want to win the championship. 


Everyone knows that Dirk’s going to play out of his mind like he has been playing, but the keys for the Mavs are J.J. Barea and Tyson Chandler. If those two players play well then the Mavs will win the title tonight. 


My prediction is that the Mavs get another fourth quarter comeback to shock the Heat and win their first championship. Mavs 92 Heat 89