GV prepares for post-Roe return to campus

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned the federal protection of nationwide abortion access college students across the country have attended political demonstrations, signed petitions or used their platforms to voice their opinions regarding the matter.

Regardless of whether individuals found themselves mourning or celebrating the decision, many Americans found themselves experiencing a renewed sense of political activism.

Grand Valley State University’s student groups in support of and against abortion rights are no exception. Although the university has not released an official position on the matter, this has not stopped groups on campus from advocating for either side of the issue.

To read more of Grace Smith’s coverage of the overturning of Roe V. Wade, click here.

GV commuters cite growing concerns with overcrowding, wait times on Laker Line

This fall, Allendale and Grand Rapids have been buzzing with conversations about concerns regarding Grand Valley State University’s transportation system.

High prices of on-campus parking and the frequent distribution of parking violations have dissuaded students from investing in on-campus parking passes. As a result, many students rely on GVSU’s bussing system as their primary means of transportation.

The growing number of concerns being raised by students regarding the bussing systems have centered around overcrowded buses running late or less frequently than the years before.

To read more of Grace Smith’s coverage of the GVSU’s transportation system, click here.

GV alum reflects on vintage scene following recent business opening

In December 2019, Austyn Daggett graduated from Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Three years later, he celebrated the grand opening of Betteraged, his vintage clothing shop near Grand Rapids’ Eastown district, joined by hundreds of eager customers.

Daggett, 26, said that he had dreamed of opening his own shop for the last five years.

“When I was in school, I would tell my professors about the idea. They would say stuff like ‘You know, online shopping is the new thing,’ or that a physical location would just die out. In the back of my head, I’m thinking, ‘I’m still going to open up a shop – no matter what.’”

To read more of Jacob Kirn’s coverage of  Daggett’s business, click here.

Inspired by legislation introduced by Grand Valley State University’s Student Senate as well as conversations among friends and peers, GVSU’s Young Democratic Socialists for America (YDSA) chapter launched a petition to raise wages for student employees.

The petition calls on the GVSU Board of Trustees to “increase student wages per department, remove the current wage rate classification system” and conduct a labor market analysis to “determine the floor of student wages.”

In addition to collecting signatures, the petition calls on students to email the GVSU Board of Trustees with their demands.

To read more of Audrey Whitaker’s coverage of the student wage petition, click here.

Shooting, stabbing at GV area apartment complexes continue semester-long violent crime trend

Following a string of violent criminal activity at apartment complexes in the Allendale area, students and residents encountered another incident in the early hours of Sunday morning, Oct. 29.

Around 2:45 a.m., reports of a stabbing at 48 West Apartments came through to which Ottawa County deputies responded while on patrol.

The victim of the stabbing was not on the scene at the time of law enforcement’s arrival, but many vehicles were seen exiting the apartment complex.

To read more of Emma Armijo’s coverage of off-campus violence, click here.

Blue Wave: Democrats sweep Michigan offices in history-defying midterms

Multitudes of electoral polls in the run-up to Nov. 8’s midterm elections signaled what was expected to be what many referred to as a “red wave” that would usher the Republican Party into wide margins of control on Capitol Hill and ensure comfortable victories in key races throughout the country. With a floundering national economy, dismal approval ratings for President Joe Biden and historical precedent that routinely spells danger for the party whose president is experiencing their first midterm elections in the White House, such large Republican gains were projected as all but certain.

However, the opposite proved to be true in the battleground state of Michigan, where Election Day saw Democrats sweep offices across the state.

A number of critical victories granted the Democratic Party control of not only the three statewide elected offices of governor, secretary of state and attorney general, but also majorities in both the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate.

To read more of Josh Alburtus’s coverage of election results in Michigan, click here.

GV hosts event promoting discussion of intersectional feminism

On Nov. 15, Grand Valley State University hosted a Talk Back Tuesday event in the university’s Kirkhof Center, with speakers Shayna Akanke Marie and Mariah Arnold leading discussions about intersectional feminism.

The event welcomed people of all genders and backgrounds to join the conversation, and each person was encouraged to share their experiences.

The speakers began the discussion by introducing themselves and sharing information about their experiences. They also introduced their podcast, “You Reachin,” to the group.

To read more of Chloe Schram’s coverage of the intersectional feminism discussion, click here.

GV students respond to Ottawa County’s conservative changes

On Jan. 3, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners made several changes to the county’s leadership and implemented conservative messaging. Some of their initial actions include dissolving the county’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and changing their motto from “Where You Belong” to “Where Freedom Rings.”

Eight of the 11 commissioners are backed by Ottawa Impact, a conservative political action committee that has been campaigning for these changes for two years.

The newly-elected board members also voted to immediately replace multiple administrative leaders, such as the county’s top leader and health official. Ottawa County Administrator John Shay was fired and replaced by John Gibbs, who is the former acting assistant secretary under Donald Trump’s administration.

To read more of  Payton Brazzil’s coverage of Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, click here.

GV alumna becomes first Black woman to serve on MI Supreme Court

Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Grand Valley State University alumni Kyra Harris Bolden to the Michigan Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman, and one of the youngest, to serve on Michigan’s highest court.

Bolden graduated from GVSU in 2010, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in English.

Bolden said after touring the university, learning about smaller class sizes and eating a taco bowl from Fresh, her decision was made.

To read more of Payton Brazzil’s coverage of Kyra Harris Bolden, click here.

Vigil, rally held at GV following shooting at MSU

Following a shooting at Michigan State University that killed three students and left five in critical condition, students across the state have responded with displays of support for MSU students and calls for gun reform.

As Grand Valley State University president Philomena Mantella said in a statement, many in the GVSU community were impacted by the “horrific violence” at MSU as “terror was inflicted upon” friends, loved ones and relatives.

In the week following the tragedy, GVSU students organized both a vigil in honor of the victims and a rally for legislative action against gun violence.

To read more of Audrey Whitaker’s coverage of the vigil held for MSU, click here.

GV professor creates microscope to help understand complex concepts

Joshua Veazey, an assistant professor of physics at Grand Valley State University, has developed a microscope that can help students better understand concepts in physical science.

Veazey designed the prototype of the microscope with his students. The idea of the project was to give students a better understanding of atomic particles. He hoped the microscope would give them a more practical, physical representation versus the traditional graphs and abstract representations.

The microscope helps students understand the idea of quantum tunneling, the phenomenon of an electron passing through a traditional energy barrier.

To read more of Joseph Poulos’s coverage of Veazey and student’s microscope project, click here.

GV holds safety briefing following shooting at MSU

The heads of emergency response of Grand Valley State University’s Department of Public Safety met with GVSU President Philomena Mantella over Zoom on Feb. 23 to review the university’s safety response plans.

Following the shooting at Michigan State University, staff and students alike have felt sadness, unease and grief for those affected by the tragedy. Many feel the university should increase preventative measures and have plans in place to promote security on campus.

The safety briefings were open to all GVSU community members. Originally scheduled for two in-person meetings on the Allendale and Pew campuses, the safety briefings were instead held on Zoom and Youtube Live due to the university’s remote status following inclement winter weather.

To read more of Emma Armijo’s coverage of GV’s safety briefing, click here.

GV Board of Trustees meets for first time in 2023

On Feb. 24, Grand Valley State University’s Board of Trustees (BOT), the body responsible for the governing and management of GVSU, held its first meeting of 2023.

The meeting covered student employee wage concerns and ideas for improvements for the GVSU campus called the “Campus Master Plan” which outlines potential changes for both the Allendale and Pew campuses.

Board of Trustees Vice Chair and member of the Finance and Audit Committee, Elizabeth Emmitt,detailed the “Campus Master Plan.” Emmitt said the plan reflects the university’s goals and provides a roadmap for its capital resources and any efforts in the future.

To read more of Jack Blake and Elizabeth Schanz’s coverage of the GVSU Board of Trustee meeting, click here.

GV faces backlash for graduation celebrations, officials respond

National news outlets including Fox News and the New York Post accused Grand Valley State University of “segregating graduation ceremonies by race.” These claims were sparked by conservative political commentator Matt Walsh.

Host of “The Matt Walsh Podcast” and columnist for The Daily Wire, Walsh said in a tweet that GVSU was “holding five segregated graduation celebrations, singling out Asian, black, LGBT, Hispanic and Native American graduates. There will be no special celebrations for straight white people, of course.”

GVSU officials said the ceremonies are a supplemental way to celebrate graduation outside of the commencement for the entire school. The university and students feel the claims and attention from national outlets undermine the purpose of the graduation celebrations.

To read more of Elizabeth Schanz’s coverage of the GVSU graduation celebrations, click here.