SPRING 2022 - Residential and Hospitality Services
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SPRING 2022 A publication of the Division of Student Life & Engagement at Michigan State University
MSU Faculty and Staff WHAT DOES SERVICE MEAN
DINING PLAN
A MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE DIVISION OF STUDENT
LIFE & ENGAGEMENT
“THIS TRANSITION PROVIDES A MORE CONNECTED,
IMMERSIVE CAMPUS EXPERIENCE FOR ALL STUDENTS. WITH
THIS TRANSITION, WE ARE THINKING A LOT ABOUT HOW WE
DELIVER SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.”
Exceptional Dining
AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE
I
’ve always enjoyed the sense of and RHS combine into one division: environment while holistically
renewal spring brings. While we Student Life & Engagement. enriching and advancing the life
may have seen, perhaps unwanted, Combining MSU’s student-facing of every Spartan.”
MSU faculty and support staff can save up to $4.25 snow flurries on the first days of April, services is beneficial to both on-
per meal with a campus dining plan! Enjoy satisfying warmer, brighter days have arrived. campus and off-campus students. This
sit-down meals and quick, portable selections. Our team worked hard wrapping up transition provides a more connected,
the spring semester for our students immersive campus experience for all
• Purchase a minimum of 10 • Use a meal as a Combo-X- and guests. April and early May saw students. With this transition, we are
meals at $7.75 (plus tax) each. Change (CX) at retail locations. many students celebrating religious thinking a lot about how we deliver
Starbucks is now a CX option, and cultural holidays, preparing for services to our community.
•U
se meal accesses to bring finals, and in some cases, gathering This issue of Serving State focuses
friends, family and guests and we’ve added Panera
their excitement about graduation. on what service looks like and what
to eat with you in the Bread, Woody’s Oasis,
It truly is a time of self-reflection, it means to our team members. In
dining halls. Panda Express, FujiSan
introspection and renewal. some cases, that’s providing services
sushi and Subway. Speaking of renewal, as it hasn’t that meet the needs of our diverse Vennie Gore
•F
aculty/staff plans don’t expire
— keep your plan active by • Dining options are located been explicitly discussed in this community, like the Breslin Student Senior Vice President for the Division
across campus! Grab lunch publication yet, you’ll notice we are no Events Center becoming certified as a of Student Life & Engagement
using a minimum of one meal
at a convenient spot nearby. longer the Division of Residential and sensory inclusive venue. In other cases,
from July 1–June 30 each year. Hospitality Services (RHS). In 2020, it’s providing safe and enjoyable meals
I was named interim vice president for and activities during a pandemic, as
Student Affairs and Services (SAS). Culinary Services has, or during cold
ORDER • Visit eatatstate.com/diningplans Over the next year, Provost Woodruff
and President Stanley initiated a
winter months, like Forest Akers Golf
Courses have. While our division
YOUR • Call 517–355–2274 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
• Use your MSUFCU account. Log in to ComputerLine, select
program review of SAS to provide may be new, our commitment to the
PLAN the Manage menu and choose the MSU Dining Plans option.
insights and direction after the
departure of long-standing leadership.
student and guest experience
remains strong.
Based on the results of the program As our new mission states, “Together,
review, it was recommended SAS we provide a safe and inclusive
QUESTIONS?
517-884-0660 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 3
info@eatatstate.com
CONTENTS
IN THIS ISSUE
THE DIVISION OF STUDENT LIFE
& ENGAGEMENT
Auxiliary Sports Group
Culinary Services
Student Development & External Relations
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Residence Education and Housing Services
Student Involvement and Leadership 3 WHAT DOES SERVICE MEAN
SVP Student Life & Engagement A MESSAGE FROM SVP VENNIE GORE
rhs.msu.edu
Serving State is an online publication for guests
and partners of the Division of Student Life &
6 CULINARY TEAM
Engagement at Michigan State University. Our
goal is to share divisional news and initiatives
LEVERAGES PARTNERSHIPS
with Team MSU. Serving State is produced by the AND INNOVATION TO
22
Division of Student Life & Engagement Creative
Services, 550 S. Harrison Road, Michigan State OVERCOME CHALLENGES
University, 517-353-1694.
Editors
Casey Bye, Ilene Davis 12 REHS’ COMMITMENT
Design & Layout
Elizabeth Ayres, Linda Beach, Libby Singh
TO EQUITY
Contributing Writers AND INCLUSION
Leah Ball, Subah Bhatia, Casey Bye,
Ilene Davis, Taylor Lumley
16 FOREST AKERS GOLF
COURSES THROUGHOUT
Service Road
THE PANDEMIC
Turf Complex 18
OCAT AND CORES
COLLABORATIONS FOR
CAMPUS PROGRAMMING
Coming Soon
22 UNCOVERING MSU’S
Fall 2022 HISTORY OF ACTIVISM
We collectively acknowledge that Michigan State
University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and
contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg — Three Fires
24 BRESLIN STUDENT
Stay up to date on the new turf Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. EVENTS CENTER
BECOMES CERTIFIED
In particular, the university resides on land ceded in the
fields by visiting recsports.msu.
1819 Treaty of Saginaw. We recognize, support and
advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan’s twelve
federally-recognized Indian nations, for historic SENSORY INCLUSIVE
edu/events/Rebuilding.html. Indigenous communities in Michigan, for Indigenous
individuals and communities who live here now, and for
those who were forcibly removed from their homelands.
By offering this Land Acknowledgement, we affirm
Indigenous sovereignty and will work to hold Michigan
State University more accountable to the needs of
American Indian and Indigenous peoples.
Photos courtesy of University Communications, SLE
Creative Services and Culinary Services.
SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 5
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, MSU
Culinary Services (CS) has experienced an array
of challenges. Facing the obstacles continues to
require patience, innovation and collaboration
among the team. In this piece, you’ll learn
about the primary hurdles the CS team has
Photos: Opposite page, The Workshop at the STEM Teaching
encountered as well as steps taken to effectively and Learning Facility; Above, Student Life & Engagement
manage them during the 2021-22 academic year. team members serve the campus community.
LABOR SHORTAGES MSU students, faculty and support evening hours from Landon Hall to
P
erhaps the most significant staff with a valid university ID card Brody Hall and Shaw Hall to Snyder/
hurdle to overcome has been a have been able to visit dining halls and Phillips. The option helped alleviate
severe labor shortage across the bring guests. Additionally, members of safety concerns due to weather
department. Leading into the year, CS the broader community enjoy dining conditions and reduced daylight hours
knew it would be challenging to regain on campus, particularly visiting Brody in the winter months. Once hours and
the level of staff needed to reach full Square, so it was a difficult decision for services were expanded, the shuttle
operations; however, the degree the team to make. service ended before spring break,
of shortage experienced was Meal tickets purchased by MSU March 4.
truly surprising. departments can also be used at “The staffing circumstances have
A number of factors impacted the additional locations. To help reduce been very challenging for our team,
labor force, including individual safety the volume of people visiting dining as we care about the students we
concerns, retirements and career halls, CS began accepting meal tickets serve,” says Stacey Dawson, complex
transitions, and a much lower rate of at any location that offers Combo-X- dining manager for Brody Square
returning students because most of Change options. and Heritage Commons at Landon.
them learned remotely for the 2020-21 Furthermore, hours and services “Everyone has really come together as
academic year. The residential dining were reduced for Heritage Commons a team, looked out for one another and
and retail teams have felt the effects at Landon and The Vista at Shaw. stepped in when needed.”
in different ways, developing different For a portion of fall semester, these Beyond the proactive steps CS took
methods for success and finding a new locations remained closed for dinner to minimize the impact of the labor
approach to filling shifts. and on weekends. They have gradually shortage, neighborhoods have learned
Culinary Team Leverages Partnerships and Innovation to For residential dining halls, steps reopened for these meal periods and how to reconfigure their scheduling
OVERCOME CHALLENGES
were taken during fall semester to days, starting with Grab & Go options shells to operate with less staff,
minimize the impact of low-staffing and continental breakfast, then adjusted menu options to make them
levels. All-you-care-to-eat dining working their way back to offering a less labor intensive and emphasized
halls were closed to the general full menu. cross-training to ensure staff can be
public since late September to lessen In the interim, CS offered shuttle utilized in key operational areas.
the volume and focus on serving the service to residents in these halls. The “The team has been incredibly
university community. Only current shuttle provided transportation in the flexible and willing to help each other
SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 7
To overcome these challenges, the pandemic and carrying out innovative include foodservice partners like
procurement and warehouse teams, plans. Furthermore, the CS team Panera Bread, Woody’s Oasis
operational managers, chefs, and has increased internal and external Mediterranean Deli and Biggby coffee.
CS’ dietitian collaborated to address communication about the supply CS encountered technology challenges
ongoing shortages, particularly for chain and its impact on operations to for some of the locations, but working
disposables, proteins and certain help team members and customers with the Digital Strategies and
produce items. The most successful understand the complexities. Services and MSU IT allowed them
approach to handling challenges has to get all partners up and running.
been working closely with vendors, LOCATIONS, SERVICES AND Dining plan holders now enjoy the
manufacturers and distributors. DINING PLANS opportunity to redeem CX meals at
For example, among the most Rebuilding inventory was a primary new spots on campus.
difficult items to source has been area of focus, but the team also needed Another key change for the CX
chicken breasts due to scarce to identify what locations would be program was an increase in the
availability and escalated pricing. Todd open and how services and dining number of meals available per
Loeffler, procurement coordinator plans would change. week. Students with a Silver, Gold
and contract administrator, shared Several CS locations closed or Platinum dining plan have 12 CX
that MSU started placing orders of less throughout the 2020-21 academic meals they can redeem from Sunday-
than a truckload in March 2021 with year remain closed indefinitely. This Saturday. Before the 2021-22 school
out,” says Michelle Keller, complex that provides a quick glance at the SUPPLY CHAIN AND PROCUREMENT hopes of building inventory for August includes Sparty’s mini-markets in the year, the three dining plans included
dining manager for The Vista at Shaw, week ahead. Shifts for all Sparty’s In addition to staffing levels, CS 2021. In a typical year, MSU uses one College of Law, Communication Arts six CX meals per week.
Thrive at Owen and The Gallery at locations can be viewed on one sheet has experienced difficulty sourcing truckload of chicken breast per month & Sciences, Erickson Hall, and the In addition to incorporating
Snyder/Phillips. “We’ve also had time that covers Monday through Sunday. products and keeping them in stock and about 100 tons per academic year. International Center (converted to foodservice partners into the program
to focus on improving Students, on-calls, full-time and for various reasons. The complexities Leading up to fall semester, CS’ vendor FujiSan sushi), Starbucks at the Broad and providing more CX meals, the CS
essential training.” temporary team members are each of the global supply chain for the shared they were only able to secure a College of Business, and Wilson team introduced enhanced Grab & Go
In retail areas, CS staff members designated with a different color, and foodservice industry are extensive, fraction of the quantity needed. Dining Hall. Although fewer locations as well as new mobile order locations.
have also accentuated teamwork and shifts that need to be filled display therefore, the impacts will be long In addition to focusing on smaller opened initially, changes were Residential dining halls in Holden
found creative methods for filling in red. term. In addition to disruptions in the order quantities in higher frequency, introduced to provide guests with and Holmes transitioned from all-you-
shifts, particularly for Sparty’s mini- process, labor shortages, shutdowns, the procurement team sourced flexibility and value, including: care-to-eat to Grab & Go dining, where
market locations. “Our managers have travel bans and other restrictions alternate chicken products and • Additional locations for redeeming items are pre-packaged and ready
approached scheduling in a unique created a chain reaction. The effects proteins for use in menus. In the long- Combo-X-Change (CX) for guests to select. With a CX meal,
way to focus on recruitment, retention on each stage have resulted in term, the alternate items cost 30-40% • An increase in the number of CX students can choose from rotating
and strategy,” says Gina Keilen, imbalances in supply and demand, less than chicken breasts, saving meals included with dining plans hot and cold menu options as well as
associate director of Retail Services. product shortages, and bottlenecks money for this product category. • The addition of Grab & Go options packaged retail products similar to
“There’s also importance placed on for distribution. Although supply chain challenges and mobile ordering those at a Sparty’s store. After pairing
maintaining staff for fall and assisting In late 2020, when the university will continue, MSU has developed • A new location that opened items together for a meal, guests can
other areas of retail to support suspended in-person classes and many strong vendor partnerships since the at the STEM Teaching and choose to use the dining room seating
all locations.” students returned home, CS focused 1960s that have been instrumental in Learning Facility area or take their meal to go.
Operations Supervisor Steve Janecke on a significant inventory reduction. managing external influences of the Locations added to the CX program During fall semester, mobile
manages the process for Sparty’s After donating meals, collaborating
after student team members are with vendors to adjust orders, and Students dine at MSU Union Food Court, which operated as an all-you-care-to-eat location for 2021-22.
hired. Given how class structure and working with chefs to monitor product
teaching methods on campus have dating and modify menus weekly,
This type of innovation has been
changed, there is an increased need for inventory value went from $1.8
critical to CS this year, and many people
managers to be flexible with student million to $500,000.
have stepped up to identify unique
scheduling. “Steve has done a great When plans for fall semester 2021
methods for operational management.
job adapting to the new normal for started to unfold, it became evident
In the midst of these unprecedented
our students,” says Chandos McCoy, CS needed to rebuild its inventory
staffing circumstances, CS truly could
Sparty’s operations manager. “I think level. Popular products and various
not have made it through the year
his flexibility and understanding as raw materials were increasingly
without the dedication of divisional
well as reminding students of their difficult to obtain, and animal
team members and campus partners.
importance to us has helped drive processing significantly slowed due to
“I cannot say enough about how the
interest in working for Sparty’s as pandemic restrictions and government
volunteers helped us in our most dire
word of mouth spreads.” mandates. Like the CS team, many
times,” says Dawson. “Throughout fall
While collaborating with student industries have also experienced
semester, we could not have operated
team members to fill shifts, Janecke decreased labor levels, which caused
without the volunteers from across the
keeps the new format of their schedule U.S. delivery ports to have a backlog
division — this truly was our saving
up to date. During the pandemic, he of container ships waiting to
grace in the beginning.”
developed a color-coded document be unloaded.
8 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 9
communications team also worked to meals to any on-campus student throughout the facility and sharing
clarify the CX program and provide staying in a single-occupancy room the rich history of the Kellogg Center.
customers with visual references, with their own bathroom. For example, a stainless-steel Spartan
including a new color-coding system Handling emergency meal needs, helmet was installed near the front
to identify eligible products and menu last-minute changes and outreach desk to illustrate the team’s MSU
options, an updated video on the regarding food allergies, the team pride and to emulate MSU pride
program, and social media content to showed enduring support for the and the portrait of W.K. Kellogg on
outline changes. campus community. Quarantine and display in the hotel was moved to a
In addition to preparing materials isolation housing transitioned to more prominent location, with an
in advance, the frequent adjustments Hubbard Hall in April 2021, and the accompanying plaque explaining the
require quick updates to signage hotel and restaurant reopened to role of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
posted on campus, website content, the public. in bringing the facility to life and
email communications, table tent supporting the development of Kellogg
messaging and other mediums used to Centers across the nation.
reach guests.
CONCLUSION
Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., collaborated across the department HOSPITALITY AND EVENT SERVICES Although the CS team must continue
and continued through the end of to share talking points and internal For Kellogg Hotel & Conference to adapt to challenges that arise, it’s
spring semester. Like CS’ all-you-care- resources. This includes working Center, the State Room Restaurant, clear the department is committed to
to-eat dining halls, guests can use a closely with Secretary Gabriele and Kellogg Catering, a variety of facing them with great strength. “Our
student or faculty/staff dining plan at Rueffer, who manages incoming changes have occurred throughout staff has truly stepped up to provide
the State Room for lunch or they can phone messages for the main the pandemic. During the 2020-21 essential support to students during
choose to pay $12 plus tax (tax does department line, to ensure she has academic year, the hotel served as the an uncertain time while continuing
not apply for students). The restaurant up-to-date information. primary location for quarantine and to connect with families, visitors and
ordering was also available at Holden, also accepts Spartan Cash and debit/ In addition to proactive isolation housing on campus. other patrons,” says Rebecca Selesky,
Holmes, The Workshop at STEM, credit cards. communications and marketing Planning for this arrangement CS assistant vice president. “It has
Thrive at Owen and The Gallery at Explaining the changes and materials, the CS team has seen an required collaboration among many been remarkable to see them place
Snyder/Phillips. Dining plan holders additions up front was no easy task; increase in the number of questions CS team members, who have remained teamwork and innovation at the
can use a CX meal through the however, the CS team identified ways and requests coming in. To help dedicated to creating an environment Since reopening, the Kellogg Center, forefront throughout the past year.”
Transact Mobile Ordering app to pre- to improve throughout the year. The alleviate the volume of emails and where Spartans feel safe and cared for State Room and Kellogg Catering As the team looks ahead to summer
order items for pickup. At the start of next section will further explain the phone calls, a frequently asked during a time of great need. teams have increased event services, and the upcoming school year, CS is
spring semester, the team removed importance of CS’ communication questions page was developed for the The hotel as well as the State once again providing support for using student and guest feedback as
Thrive and The Gallery as mobile efforts and how they have played a Eat at State website. The team has Room Restaurant closed to the public the Greater Lansing community and well as the wealth of lessons learned to
ordering pickup locations due to a low vital role in keeping team members kept it updated throughout the year in March 2020. Preparations for offering unrivaled hospitality to guide future decisions. It is evident CS
volume of orders being placed. Use and the campus community up for guests to reference. quarantine and isolation included the guests. Furthermore, the State Room could not get through the tough days
has increased at other locations, so to date. One example of how frequently development of a comprehensive meal- continues to have success with holiday without the support of its partners
students are discovering the option changes occur is with regard to delivery system, featuring a rotating offerings, tasting events and other across the division, the institution
and continuing to find value in COMMUNICATION AND RESOURCES takeout from all-you-care-to-eat menu, online ordering capabilities and functions. For example, the Easter and beyond. Words cannot express
the service. Continuously explaining changes locations. At the start of the school special considerations such as nutrition Brunch organized for April 17 sold out how much the entire team appreciates
Lastly, CS opened a new location and updates throughout the year was year, takeout was no longer an option needs. In addition to providing meals more than two weeks before the event. everyone’s willingness to assist the
at the STEM Teaching and Learning an obstacle in and of itself. Timely due to the increase in Grab & Go to students isolating at the hotel, the The team is also continuously department with nourishing the
Facility called The Workshop, which communication with students, faculty, options and the expansion of locations Kellogg Center team was delivering looking to make visual improvements Spartan community!
primarily serves as a mobile-ordering support staff and campus partners has accepting Combo-X-Change. When
spot. The retail location also offers a never been more important for CS due university administration transitioned Photos: Opposite page, Communications team members with Sparty at the Sparty’s 30th anniversary event; Below left, Stainless steel helmet
limited selection of CX items and other to frequent operational changes. most classes to a virtual format for the installed at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center; Below right, Self-serve lunch buffet at the State Room Restaurant.
products for onsite purchase. Associate Director of Marketing first three weeks of spring semester,
Throughout the year, CS has opened and Communications Cheryl Berry, CS shifted plans and temporarily
additional locations and introduced Brand Manager Ann Bertsch and offered takeout from dining halls.
further options to continue increasing Communications Manager Leah Following these three weeks,
variety for the campus community. Ball have had to remain nimble and the option was no longer offered to
The Sparty’s mini-market at the main responsive to changes, including students and guests; however, the
library recently reopened, and the hours of operation, menus and team received feedback from the
McDonel location expanded hours to dining options, and service modes. community and considered their
include weekends. Delivering these messages to the input. In mid-February, CS began
An all-you-care-to-eat lunch buffet campus community in a quick manner offering takeout from all-you-care-to-
also launched at the State Room and ensuring information is clear has eat locations once again. The option is
Restaurant inside Kellogg Hotel been incredibly important. considered a CX meal for dining
& Conference Center in February. To keep messages consistent, plan holders.
The midday option was available the communications team has Before fall semester began, the
10 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 11
REHS’ COMMITMENT TO
Equity and Inclusion
One of Residence Education and Housing Services’ (REHS) core values and commitments to the
Michigan State community is to embrace diversity and practice a culture of inclusion, advocacy and
antiracism, so every Spartan is appreciated and valued. As part of its continued efforts to live this
value, the department has been working on a number of initiatives that aim toward the creation of
a safe, inclusive and healthy campus, particularly for those most marginalized. Not only do these
initiatives include structural programs to facilitate positive change, but they were borne out of a
commitment to address real student demands and voices. Here is an overview of some of REHS’
recent initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).
S
everal of these initiatives are multiple new student communications The revamped Emergency and
aimed toward DEIB training and in all New Student Orientation Wellness Resource Guide is being
for staff members of the MSU materials. Students will also see this posted in fall 2022 and will provide
community. A new DEIB training statement throughout the residence information on reporting acts of
framework has been introduced halls at move-in. The campaign overall racism and discrimination. The
for resident assistants (RAs) and is also going through a reengineering Gender-inclusive Housing program
intercultural aides (ICAs) to engage process that will lead to a more holistic continues to expand and grow, in
in DEIB dialogues monthly under and comprehensive DEIB initiative. collaboration with the Gender and
the umbrella of the R.I.D.E. program A number of new initiatives are Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC)
(Reboot, Interrogate, Dream and being launched soon that cover a wide and LGBTQIA2S+ student groups,
Enact). Additionally, increased range of issues and topics. In light of including TransAction and Transcend.
educational resources for staff REHS’ new commitment to analyze The REHS DEIB unit supports the
members have been developed, racial impact through the lens of Gender Free Violence Committee
including monthly DEIB slide decks trauma informed care practices. The initiative by co-chairing the
and lesson plans about dialogues REHS Racial Impact Analysis Team committee with Prevention Outreach
around DEIB issues. launched in February with a goal to and Education. This semester, REHS
REHS meets regularly with student analyze all student conduct policies has also worked in collaboration
leaders and leadership teams to create through a racial impact analysis lens. with institutional partners in moving
authentic relationships. The aim is to It aims to neutralize manifestations forward the campus-wide plan to have
MSU is committed to an inclusive atmosphere where offer intentional advising and
mentoring and create genuine
of oppression embedded in policies,
practices and protocols around student
gender-inclusive restrooms across
campus. And new reflection rooms
relationships between REHS and behavior. The New Bias Incident in each neighborhood have been
students, faculty, staff and guests can participate in student leaders in minoritized Response Initiative also launched in designated to accommodate prayer
communities. For example, fall and aims to create a trustworthy and reflection.
university life without concerns of discrimination. community directors meet with the
Black Students’ Alliance (BSA)
process for students to share incidents
of bias and keep the community
Rooms in Shaw Hall have been
renovated to meet the needs of
If you experience discrimination or harassment, please regularly, and REHS team member
advise the Residence Halls Association
accountable to minoritized student
groups. Under it, the REHS DEIB
minoritized student communities,
such as new meeting spaces for
report the incident at msu.publicincidentreporting.com. (RHA) and the black and queer
caucuses. The REHS DEIB unit advises
unit will be available to meet with
students who experience harm as soon
BSA and Transcend. A new REHS
web-based DEIB dashboard has
Learn more at civilrights.msu.edu. Transcend and provides holistic
support to the trans community.
as they are ready and willing to meet
within 24 hours to provide support
launched to provide DEIB resources to
the campus community as well as
The Hate Has No Home Here and resources. progress updates on DEIB projects
campaign that began a few years ago REHS has also been working toward and initiatives.
is being expanded, with its graphics implementing several structural The 2022 Student DEIB Activism
and pledge statement shared in changes that support DEIB efforts. and Inclusive Leadership Conference
SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 13
CRAFTING YOUR
FAVORITES AT
is a learning initiative that involves REHS working
in collaboration with minoritized student leaders.
The aim of the conference is to create a space for best
practices on student leadership and activism.
1855 PLACE
There continues to be increased representation of
minoritized positions in REHS, including RA and
leadership positions. The RA team has been
becoming more racially and ethnically diverse over
the past 3 years and continues to do so. REHS
Leadership Team teams have also become more
racially and ethnically representative. Human
Resources (HR) also continues to embed
DEIB-aligned practices in recruitment, selection Have a dining plan?
and placement of team members at all levels in
these processes. Use Combo-X-Change
In order to ensure enhanced DEIB skill sets and
a higher level of representation, more stringent at Starbucks!
RA hiring and vetting processes are being put into
place. These include virtual interviews, interviews
spread out over longer periods of time, and involving
more external partners and student leaders in the
interview process, incorporating essays into the
process (one question specifically on DEIB issues),
and the interviewees being put through implicit bias
training. Specific recruitment, hiring and training
for RAs placed in Living-learning Communities
and gender-inclusive floors have been put into place
as well.
Eduardo Olivo, REHS associate director for
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging shares,
“Our vision is to unapologetically center the voices
and multiple lived experiences of those who are
most marginalized and, in allyship with minoritized
students, divisional and institutional partners,
interrogate and dismantle REHS’ policies and
practices that reproduce and perpetuate oppression.
We must go beyond intellectualizing our DEIB work
and being performative. Our students demand
action, and we are committed to having actionable
DEIB plans to neutralize and eradicate institutional
systems of oppression.”
REHS, in its aspirations of becoming an antiracist,
anti-oppression department within SLE, continues to
offer workshops, dialogue series (modeled after the
MSU Dialogues program) and educational resources
on white supremacy, privilege and oppression,
antiracism, identity, and the issues of the times (in
the context of a global pandemic) for residence hall
team members. It also aims to play a more proactive
role as an institutional DEIB partner at MSU.
14 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 15
Forest Akers Golf Courses
Chad Kurmel is the volunteer assistant golf coach for the Michigan State Men’s
Golf Team. Kurmel has been recognized by Golf Digest as “Best Instructor” in “In general, I feel the pandemic
the state for 2019-22 and has been an immensely dedicated PGA Professional for
20 years. Kurmel is dedicated to assisting golfers in improving their skills with a allowed those who have not
DEMIC
simplistic approach: leading with basic instruction, learning the proper handling
played golf in a while to
THROUGHOUT THE PAN of equipment, practicing shot and course management, and highlighting the
importance of discipline for both mind and body.
Tom Kang is a graduate of MSU and the San Diego Golf Academy. Kang is
re-engage with the game and
realize the joy it can provide,
approaching his ninth year being a vital member of the Golf Center team and is
a level 2 certified Jim Hardy Plane Truth instructor. Outside of the realm of golf, with golf providing the much-
I
Kang is a bilingual staff member fluent in Korean as well as English.
n the shortest of terms, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed how Although the pandemic negatively
Alex Lorencz has been a part of the Forest Akers team since 2010, providing needed social interaction we
many go about their day-to-day lives. During the early days of the pandemic, affected so many places of enjoyment,
nationwide shutdowns impacted places of work, communities and beloved there were some positives that came
the community with 12 years of dedicated service. Lorencz is a Trine University
all were in need of,” says
alum, where he was an Academic All-American, a title given to outstanding
places of entertainment. Despite all these immense changes, Forest Akers Golf out of the situation.
Courses remained a safe space for the community. “In general, I feel the pandemic
student athletes. Lorencz also served as captain of the Men’s Golf team during his Bryan Harris.
time at Trine. Lorencz’s passion has transferred over to MSU where he provides
The wide-open spaces of the courses allowed for a safe environment to allowed those who have not played
lessons and guidance to golfers of all skill levels. Lorencz has instructed over
practice socially distanced golf. During the beginning of the pandemic, more golf in a while to re-engage with
3,000 lessons since joining the Forest Akers team in 2010.
golfers walked through the courses rather than using golf carts — providing the game and realize the joy it can
Zach Rosendale is a current student at Michigan State University, majoring in Division 3 Men’s and Women’s National
an additional health benefit for those playing. Bryan Harris, general manager provide, with golf providing the much-
social science education with a minor in history education. Rosendale graduated Cross Country Championships.
of Forest Akers, came to realize that the pandemic allowed those who had lost needed social interaction we all were
from St. John’s high school in 2017. During his high school career, he won two Along with the pattern of renewal
touch with their interest in golf an opportunity to reconnect with their love of in need of,” says Harris.
team state championships and an individual state championship in 2017, and was that comes with the changing
the game. Many might assume that golf
even named “Mr. Golf” for the State of Michigan. of seasons, Forest Akers will be
The early days of the COVID-19 pandemic were especially unpredictable, courses close during the winter
As the first blooms of spring arrived, the courses remained fragile after the snow welcoming a new superintendent.
and Harris was among many who were unsure of how the unprecedented months – but Forest Akers is a year-
melted. Timing is vitally important to the upkeep of the grounds. Mowing the grass After 34 years of dedicated
times would affect the operation of Forest Akers. But the team got to work on round operation. The practice facility
on the courses too early makes the courses susceptible to disease, so the courses are service, Ron Lewis, the previous
determining just how to create a safe environment. is open an incredible 360 days a year.
not fully available until later in the spring when the weather is consistently warm. superintendent, retired in January
The primary concern revolved around the safety of golf patrons and the staff of Forest Akers also offers custom golf
But as the season nears, golfers at the West Course have been introduced to a new of 2022.
Forest Akers. The golf shops were closed, and guests were assisted via the snack club fitting year-round. During the
fleet of golf carts this spring. The new fleet are equipped with GPS to give golfers a With an annual cycle dedicated
shops in order to maintain social distancing. Golf carts were also thoroughly winter season, there are two sessions
new experience with navigation while traversing the courses. to pleasing golfers of all skill levels,
sanitized after every use. A creative approach toward the handling of pin flags of their Winter Golf Program hosted by
Golfers can also look forward to the events that will be hosted at the beloved Forest Akers has been a pillar of the
in the course holes was put into effect — pool noodles were placed into the holes a seasoned team of PGA professionals
courses: The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) will host the golfing and Spartan community many
so guests could retrieve golf balls without having to touch the pin flags. It is safe Chad Kurmel, Tom Kang, Alex Lorencz
High School Golf State Finals for boys in June, and the High School Golf State look forward to visiting, any time of
to say that Forest Akers took the safety of their guests and faculty very seriously. and Zach Rosendale.
Finals for girls in October. In November, the East Course hosts the 2022 NCAA the year.
16 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 17
The Council of Racial and Ethnic Students
(CORES) is comprised of four cultural communities
at Michigan State University: The Asian Pacific
American Student Organization (APASO), the Black
Students’ Alliance (BSA), the Culturas de las Razas
Unidas (CRU), and the North American Indigenous
Student Organization (NAISO).
T
hese organizations and their members act as advocates
for their constituent communities within the broader
MSU population, working with faculty, staff and
administration to address concerns and foster a culture of
diversity and equity across the university.
Members of CORES continually process news of events
that impact their communities, responding to concerns and
proactively striving to create a healthier environment at
Michigan State for historically marginalized individuals — an
environment built upon mutual understanding of the context
leading to the necessity of groups such as CORES.
CORES groups throughout the campus community plan and
facilitate many events annually. These regularly include the
Annual Pow Wow of Love, Native American Heritage Month,
Cultural Vogue/Lunar New Year, Asian Pacific Islander Desi
American Heritage Month, Night Market, Brown Pride, the
Annual Black Power Rally, Black History Month, the African
American Celebratory, Latin Xplosion, the Annual Dia de la
Mujer Conference, Hispanic Heritage Month, and many more.
Through bringing together a diverse body of students to stand
for equality, education and awareness, CORES organizations
have created many fixtures of the diverse MSU community.
CORES groups are just one branch of the MSU Office of
Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT), an MSU department
with history dating to the 1969 creation of the Coordinated
Minority Student Programs Office (CMSPO), a landmark
moment in MSU’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and
belonging. Today, OCAT serves thousands of students yearly,
supporting their individual navigation of college life.
OCAT &
CORES
collaborations
for campus programming
18 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 18 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 19THE ANNUAL POW WOW OF LOVE high school to college.
Unfortunately, NAISO’s 37th annual Pow Wow of Love will not It’s easy to imagine the excitement and anxiety felt
occur in 2022. NAISO’s Pow Wow organizational committee when venturing into university life, and many students
has cancelled the event as a precautionary measure to need guidance along that journey. That’s where the magic
prevent the spread of COVID-19. The planning committee comes in.
has acknowledged the high vaccination rate amongst the MAGIC introduces students to university life and all of
student body; however, NAISO stands by their cancellation its elements, including academic, cultural, professional
decision for the sake of public health; the event serves a and social strategies. MAGIC offers many workshops
DIA DE LA MUJER CONFERENCE driven to create more opportunities larger community than simply MSU students. For nearly four for new Spartans to participate in, such as “Roadmap to
For nearly thirty years, the Dia de for the Latina community to be decades, the powwow has drawn teeming crowds from a wide Success,” “Making a Successful Transition to College,”
la Mujer (DDLM) conference has successful. Latinas have the lowest breadth of backgrounds to celebrate Native American culture. “Living a HEALTHY College Life,” and “Creating an
provided an environment where high school graduation rate compared NAISO’s efforts to plan the powwow each year are deeply Inclusive Living and Learning Environment.”
networking connections are made, to other major subgroups and are appreciated by the MSU community, which looks forward to One of the most beneficial elements of MAGIC is that
creating employment and educational less likely to complete a college the continuation of this tradition in future years. all of these workshops take place during the summer
opportunities for Michigan Latina degree, and the DDLM offers a unique before the start of classes. The program taking place in
empowerment. The conference is one opportunity for the Latina community SPARTAN REMIX the summer allows students to reap all of the benefits of
Photos
of a kind in the State of Michigan — it to find resources and networking Spartan Remix is a celebration of art, music and culture where MAGIC before the start of their first semester.
Previous page: Dia de la
is the only conference held annually connections to strive to live healthy diverse members of the MSU student body come together For 25 years, MAGIC has been a vital resource for recent
Mujer Conference
with the purpose of spreading and successful lives. in honor, education, and pride for their communities. The high school graduates to develop the skills needed to be
education and opportunities for In 2022, the 28th Annual Dia Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions coordinates the successful at MSU.
Above: Black Students’ Alliance
success to Latinas across the state. De Mujer Conference took place event with student volunteers each year, forming
B.L.A.C. Awards
DDLM is held at MSU’s Kellogg Hotel & Saturday, April 16 at the Kellogg the Spartan Remix Planning Committee. The 14th
Conference Center — where presenters Center. This year’s Keynote speaker Spartan Remix took place in September 2021 and
Opposite page, top: African
discuss topics such as education, was Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz, had over 100 organizations and departments
American Celebratory;
health, politics, community, family, entrepreneur, author, speaker and in attendance.
Bottom: APIDA Heritage Month Brunch
history, culture, and both professional philanthropist. She is the CEO of The event has brought together a multitude of
and personal development. JJR Marketing and founder of Fig communities to engage with various forms of art,
Cover photo (pictured below):
DDLM is planned by a committee of Factor Media, author of ten books, such as dancing, poetry readings and musical
APIDA Celebratory
dedicated MSU students, faculty, and international speaker, and certified performances. The Spartan Remix is a unique and
community members pilot. Jacqueline is passionate about vibrant event that educates the MSU student body
from across the state. spreading information surrounding through the lens of culture. This year, the 15th
In addition to attending success in the world of business, Annual Spartan Remix will take place Thursday,
talks, attendees can take finding ones passion and how one Sept. 8 on MSU’s campus.
part in approximately can apply those passions into their
thirty workshops career. For nearly three decades, the MAGIC (Maximizing Academic Growth in College)
offered by agencies and Latina community and the broader When people hear the word “Magic,” it conjures
individuals. DDLM was state-wide community has greatly up many ideas of fantasy. But at MSU, MAGIC is no
started in 1994 by MSU benefited from the DDLM conference, myth! Maximizing Academic Growth in College
undergraduate student and the community looks forward to (MAGIC) is a highly beneficial program designed
Maria Zavala, who was its occurrence every year. to help guide students through the transition from
SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 21The team is currently in the process It’s owned by the people who attended rooted and connected to
of getting the project off the ground by and who are putting the work in,” the university.”
collecting and organizing information says Flores. As someone who comes from a
and stories in reliable and accurate She also emphasizes the need for marginalized community herself,
ways. “This project is very much still collaboration with marginalized Flores finds herself most excited
in the works. We’re reaching out to groups on campus. “We want them to about creating a way for students to
student organizations, and groups be part of the process,” says Flroes. see the work that has been done by
are reaching out to graduate student “We’re looking for anything that’s those who came before them. She
groups or reaching out to different considered marginalized identities: says that researching about what
faculty members,” says Flores. religious organizations and racially past students have done here makes
“Outreach is really important, as based organizations, multicultural her feel much more connected to
well as partnering and making organizations, and students with the community.
sure we’re empowering these disabilities and just anyone who wasn’t “I think it’s very empowering for
marginalized communities by embraced by the institution, went students to be able to get a peek into
highlighting the history that hasn’t through a lot of struggle and fought to history and into what work went into
been accurately represented.” be embraced by the institution.” creating change to feel empowered
One of the cornerstones of the The team is looking for faculty and and reassured that you can still
History of Activism project is students who would be interested in create change. It’s highlighting the
collaboration. While Kozar and Flores contributing to the project. They’re on people who haven’t had a chance
are laying the groundwork for research the lookout for historical documents, to be recognized and put in the
and data collection for the project, they media form stories, oral history or any spotlight,” says Flores. “It can be very
are looking to collaborate with faculty, other account of activism on MSU’s hard for people to feel connected
student groups and the general MSU grounds. Their final goal is to turn here or to remember or to think,
community in their next steps. this project into a tangible experience ‘Do I matter in this community?’
“It’s truly meant to be collaborative that MSU’s community can learn from. People fought for you to matter in
because history is not owned by Flores is looking forward to making this community and it’s important to
everyone. History is not owned by “a display where people can interact remember them and their work.”
any institution in Michigan State. and learn and connect and feel more
UNCOVERING MSU’S HISTORY
OF ACTIVISM A s a part of the Inclusive Campus Initiative (ICI) being
undertaken by Michigan State University, Interim
Director of the ICI Meaghan Kozar and Practicum
Graduate Student Skye Flores are laying the foundations
for a new History of Activism project. The project aims to
highlight the history, journey and struggle of marginalized
Photos communities at MSU in their efforts toward making the
Top: MSU National Pan-Hellenic Council sponsored campus a more inclusive space.
tribute for George Floyd — Black Lives Matter, at the “The main point is how we can tell a true and accurate
MSU Rock, June 4, 2020. version of history and how we can acknowledge the work
and the pain and the struggle — like the blood, sweat,
Opposite Page: tears — that go into today’s positive outcomes,” says Flores,
Poster at the No Ban, No Wall: Spartans for Sanctuary discussing the aim of this project. She points out that, while
gathering at the MSU Rock, Jan. 31, 2017; MSU has inclusive practices that celebrate diversity and
MSU Rock, painted in support of the on-campus equity such as the Chicano-Latino studies program, there
LGBTQIA2S+ community; is little to no acknowledgment of the protests and struggles
MSU National Pan-Hellenic Council sponsored that went into the creation of these practices. This project is
candlelight vigil and prayer tribute for George Floyd — directed toward documenting the history behind the results
Black Lives Matter, at the MSU Rock, June 4, 2020. the community sees at MSU today.
22 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 23Breslin Student Events Center becomes certified
SENSORY INCLUSIVE
T
hroughout the past two of a student-based staff, many student with sensory needs, the Breslin Center Shortly thereafter, in March 2020,
years, the Breslin Student team members went through became a certified sensory inclusive Carnacchi reached out to Uma
Events Center team has de-escalation training with MSU venue in February. Srivastava of KultureCity to inquire
worked tirelessly to meet the Police to be prepared to respond to The idea was brought forward about potentially beginning the
evolving demands of maintaining guests who may not have been aware by Latinen after he attended process of becoming sensory compliant
the health and safety of patrons of the requirements, Latinen explains. GuestX, a guest experience and — then the pandemic hit. However,
during a pandemic.
In the early onset days of COVID-19,
the Breslin team worked closely
“It got easier, and then it got hard again,” says Jeff Latinen, executive director for Auxiliary
with MSU Police and Public Safety, Sports Group. “We had masks at every gate and increased hand sanitizers around the
MSU Athletics, the Wharton Center,
Student Life & Engagement Health arena. We went to great lengths to let people know we were making the effort.”
and Safety, and others to establish a
plan to protect those who attended “The students’ perseverance and crowd management conference, in the two stayed in touch over the
events on campus. A sanitizing spray dedication to doing this the right way early 2020. One of the conference ensuing months and eventually were
that kills bacteria and continues for the right reasons is what reflected panels featured the drummer from able to start the process.
working throughout the day to provide best on the building,” he says. “They the well-known pop rock band Creating an inclusive environment
long-lasting protection was purchased. showed grace under pressure — I have Imagine Dragons who worked with for all who enter the Breslin Center has
Every touch point, every armrest, to give the students and staff credit.” KultureCity. been an important goal for the Breslin
bathroom and elevator was misted. While on the outside, the team was “He talked about his needs and Center team, and the parentship with
As MSU welcomed students back actively enforcing university protocols, playing in a rock band and being KultureCity was a crucial component
and national restrictions slowly Operations Supervisor turned Interim aware of the lighting and sound at in that, explains Carnacchi.
eased, the Breslin team continued to Associate Director of the Breslin shows,” says Latinen. “I realized when “The more aware we are, the
ensure it was maintaining this high Center Jessica Carnacchi and others we got back, that may be a need we better we can serve our community,”
level of protection and reinforcing were working behind the scenes on should address. she says.
university directives. During events, a unique way to elevate the Breslin For me personally, the games are loud Srivastava is the executive director
team members walked the aisles of the guest experience. and can be kind of scary, especially for of KultureCity, having started at the
arena to remind guests to wear their Through a partnership with kids. We want to make the experience nonprofit as a volunteer in 2016. Since
face covering (unless eating KultureCity, a leading nonprofit equitable for everyone. That’s why its inception eight and a half years ago,
or drinking). recognized nationwide for using its it made an impact on me. Everyone KultureCity has assisted in creating
“It got easier, and then it got hard resources to revolutionize and effect deserves a chance to come to Breslin and more than 900 sensory-inclusive
again,” says Jeff Latinen, who at change in the community for those enjoy a game or an event,” he says. venues in five countries, including
the time of authoring was associate events such as the NFL Pro-Bowl,
director of the Breslin Center. Latinen NFL Super Bowl, MLB World Series
was recently named executive director and MLB All Star Weekend.
of Auxiliary Sports Group within KultureCity’s mission of “Making
Student Life & Engagement. “We had the nevers possible” is a nod toward
masks at every gate and increased the limits often imposed by others
hand sanitizers around the arena. We on individuals upon the diagnosis
went to get lengths to let people know of a sensory-related sensitivity or
we were making the effort.” otherwise invisible disability. This can
In January, the university include, but is not limited to, Autism
announced the requirement for spectrum disorder, sensory processing
patrons to show proof of vaccination disorder, post-traumatic stress
or a medically administered negative disorder or dementia.
COVID-19 test to attend sporting Those who receive a diagnosis are
events on campus; the Breslin team often told they won’t be able to do
continued to work closely with MSU certain things, or parents are told their
Police and Public Safety to ensure the kids won’t be able to engage in certain
process went smoothly. experiences. KultureCity makes those
Because Breslin is largely made up things possible, Srivastava explains.
24 SERVING STATE | SPRING / SUMMER 2022 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 25As COVID-19 restrictions lifted door to the venue alert guests to the heartwarming. It is great to hear we
Take in some golf or
tennis, Spartan style!
throughout the country and more availability of these bags. are able to help customers with a
people reacclimated to being in public The certification also comes with better experience while they are at
spaces and around others, Srivastava access to the KultureCity app, which the Breslin Center.”
says there has been an increase in allows users to view available sensory Looking ahead, the Breslin team
reports of social anxieties. She has features and how to access them prior will soon offer another option for
experienced it personally. to an event. Also available on the app patrons. Able Eyes is a Michigan-
“I have several loved ones with is the Social Story, which provides based company that offers virtual
sensory needs, and I can’t imagine a preview of what to expect when walk-through tours of spaces for
a world where they can’t go enjoy a attending an event at the those who wish to view the inside of
concert with me,” she says. “I do this so Breslin Center. the venue before attending an event. MSU’s Forest Akers Golf Courses are
everyone who has a need can live the Srivastava confirmed the Breslin The company’s mission is “to provide recognized as two of the best public golf courses
life they want.” Center is the first college or university visual, state of the art experiences/
Part of the certification process venue in Michigan to receive this teaching tools to children and adults
in the state. For the most comprehensive adult
involved the training of at least 50% certification. Moving forward, with disabilities.” A user-friendly and junior group instructional programs in
of the Breslin Center team by medical she hopes to see more educational platform teaches skills, and explores mid-Michigan, come to the Golf Center at
professionals on how to recognize institutions address sensory needs — environments from several different
guests and fans with sensory needs from elementary to graduate level. perspectives with the goal of making Forest Akers or check out our golf pro shops for
and how to assist them in a sensory Latinen says the feedback has been public spaces more accessible for a great selection of MSU apparel.
overload situation. A yearly follow-up positive. In an email to the Breslin people of all abilities.
training is held post-certification. team, a patron shared how the sensory For information on specials and instruction,
“KultureCity has been great to work bags came in handy for his niece and For more information about
with,” Carnacchi says. “They have nephew at a basketball game. Guests KultureCity, visit kulturecity.org. For
visit golf.msu.edu and call 517-355-1635 to
been available to help throughout the Services has received numerous additional information and resources, schedule your tee time today.
training process and in determining “thank you” messages from event visit the MSU Resource Center for
what we needed for our venue.” attendees as well. Persons with Disabilities at rcpd.msu.
Additionally, sensory bags, equipped “We immediately saw an impact in edu or MSU Counseling & Psychiatric The MSU Tennis Center is Lansing’s only
with noise-canceling headphones, our customer experience,” Carnacchi Services at caps.msu.edu.
fidget tools, verbal cue cards and adds. “From the first time we rolled
membership-free indoor tennis facility.
weighted lap pads, are also available out with the KultureCity sensory kits, The Tennis Center offers lessons, classes and
to Breslin guests. Signs at each entry the feedback from customers has been court time to players of all ages and skill levels.
Rental equipment is available.
Visit msutennis.msu.edu or call 517-355-2209
for more information, hours of operation and
to reserve your court.
SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 26 SERVING STATE | SPRING 2022 27You can also read
