More MSU-SCJ Kudos

I'm a little late in posting this, so please forgive me: Recently MSU School of Criminal Justice professor Merry Morash was named a Fellow of the American Society of Criminology. Congratulations, Dr. Morash!

Another Final Four, Another Riot

...and this year, we're not even playing in the championship.

An MSU undergrad thought it would be a good idea to reestablish "Cedar Fest", a party that was banned by East Lansing in 1987 after too many public disturbances.

Here's a peek at how crowded things were last night. Here's the tear gas.

There has been considerable debate lately about what to do with the Cedar Village area. The City of East Lansing wants to redevelop the entire area into "East Village"--the area bounded by Bogue Street, Grand River Avenue, Harrison Road, and the river itself. Some students have protested, claiming the city just wants to increase rent and drive most students farther away from campus.

Incidents like this just give the City more reason to flatten the entire area.

2008 NCAA Tourney Open Thread

The Spartans are the #5-seed in the South region, squaring off against Temple in the first round: discuss.

Some of my preliminary thoughts:
1.) The Trailing Spouse and I were sincerely hoping that MSU would be placed in the Midwest bracket since we have tickets to the quarterfinal games in Detroit. Alas, 'twas not to be.

2.) The #5-seed may be a concern to some, as historically the 5/12 matchups are rife with upsets. (Here is a thoughtful analysis of the 5/12 upsets in the last decade or so, though the author -- rightfully so, in my opinion -- advises against taking Temple over MSU this year given that the Spartans tend to show extraordinary tenacity in the tourney.)

3.) The Spartans likely are looking to avenge their loss in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Tournament. Their meltdown against Wisconsin just might provide them with the focus they need to make a great tournament run.

4.) The snow is melting, the birds are chirping, and the crocuses are peeking up through the earth. The semester is more than halfway over and the students are emerging from their hibernation to enliven campus again. And the purest, most compelling playoff series in all of athletics is about to begin. If this isn't your favorite time of year, I don't know what is!

Indictment at MSU?

According to the local news, there will be an announcement at 2pm EDT about a major criminal investigation on campus. Hopefully I'll have more information as it comes in.

(I'm lying low at home just in case.)

From the Lansing State Journal, 3/10/08:

Significant criminal indictment to be announced at MSU

Midday update

Associated Press

EAST LANSING — Representatives from federal and local law enforcement agencies will gather at Michigan State University to announce an indictment in what they are calling a significant criminal case.

Representatives from the university police, FBI and the U.S. attorney's office would not discuss the nature of the case this morning.

A news conference in East Lansing is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Support Your Spartans!

Don't forget to watch/listen to the big game this Friday (3/14) at 2:30pm EDT.

If you're at work, you can watch the Gametracker (right side of page) or ESPN360. If you're at home (I might actually have to leave work early for this one), it will be on ESPN.

(I'm seriously thinking about going to the bar--would that be really sad? The Lone Professor in a sea of undergraduates? Then again, the Peanut Barrel is probably safe. Maybe I can convince the NYKid and Dr. H&K to come with me...)

Hard-Boiled

So, I know that "sports and crime" is the official territory of The NY Kid, but I just have to say that the Spartans' defense was, well, criminally negligent against the Boilermakers last night -- especially against guard/forward Robbie Hummell, who scored a career-high 24 points. (Though, to be fair, he's only a freshman, so it's not like his college career has been particularly long....but still.)

As a Purdue alumni, I'm sure The NY Kid is pleased as punch about last night's outcome. Those of us who are actually loyal Spartan fans (burn!) can check out the highlights lowlights here.

Wintertime Fun, Sparty Style

Bryan and I took the girls outside yesterday to enjoy the 5 or so inches of snow that fell on New Year's Eve. We had a great time making a snowperson*, whom we decided to deck out in MSU gear:


Brings new meaning to the phrase "Go white," huh?

*You didn't really think I'd allow my feminist-in-training daughters to build snowmen, did you? Hee!

Kudos for MSU-SCJ

While reading yesterday's Detroit Free Press, I spied this quote, featured in the "She/He Said It" blurb, from one of MSU-SCJ's very own:

"In our policing system and in our justice system, wealth does have an impact. Wealth buys publicists. Wealth buys lawyers for both sides."

Carol Zimmermann, a visiting [assistant] professor of criminal justice at Michigan State University, discussing last week the impact money has on the justice system.

Good stuff!