Welcome, Students! Here’s What You Missed Over The Summer…

It's no secret that parking in East Lansing isn't great, but these new changes don't help. Savvy motorists, like yours truly, would wait to venture into East Lansing until after 6 pm, because that's when metered street parking stopped charging. Not true anymore. The majority of metered spots and parking lots will now be charging until 3 am. AND, prices have increased as well... It's now $1.50 per hour to park in a garage, and $2 an hour to park in surface lots.

Thanks to a $50 million project, The Breslin Student Events Center is getting some updates. The north end of the venue is getting new entryways as part of this first part of the project. When everything is said and done, the Breslin will also have an "expanded concourse as well as a brand new Hall of History exhibit, chronicling the university's college basketball legacy." You'll notice  Abram's Planetarium has some new updates as well with some new touch-screen displays.

As of August 15th, all tobacco products have been banned from MSU's campus. And when they say all tobacco products, they mean it; the ban includes not just cigarettes, but chewing tobacco and E-cigarettes as well. Keep in mind too that the ban applies to all MSU property, so whether you're on campus for a tailgate or you're in your personal vehicle parked in a campus lot, that ban applies. Offenders could receive a $150 fine.

Students will have more places to choose from when it comes to their living place. There are a few major housing complexes in the works in East Lansing. One of them is near the west side of campus, at 1855 Place. 1855 Place will offer office spaces and student apartments, some of which are available now for renting. A single bedroom is $800 and a two bedroom is $925.

Over the summer, officials announced that they'd be closing the Women's Study Lounge and turning it into a co-ed space. The close came soon after a law suit was filed by a U of M Flint professor who said the Women's Only lounge "violated anti-discrimination laws", but MSU officials claim the closing was not directly related to the lawsuit (I'm sure it didn't help though). The Women's Resource Center was also closed over the summer. If you might need to seek any help or resources, students are now directed to go to the Office of Student Affairs and Services. If you feel passionately about the closing of the former Women's Study Lounge, there's a protest planned for August 31st.