East Lansing Summer Business

To maintain and draw in new business during their slow summer months, many East Lansing businesses look to run specials or look to other outlets for assistance. That is the case for many of the college bookstores in East Lansing. Michigan State University's summer orientation program reaches out to the college bookstores and invites them to come to and get involved with their program. Mike Wylie, assistant manager at the Student Book Store, said they have many give aways for the students at orientation. Wylie said he hope this draws parents and students into their store. He also said that slower summer months allow for him to connect with customers easier. He said with it being slow he can make it a point to go out of his way to help a parent and student and make them feel comfortable. Once businesses like SBS survive the summer, they get into their highest months of production running from August through January.

East Lansing Summer Business

Running a business in a college town can be tough. But one of the biggest difficulties is when students leave town for the summer and take with them their business. Over the past 5 years at Michigan State University an average of about 46,524 students have enrolled in classes in the fall, and an average of about 44,351students have enrolled in classes in the spring. Compare that to the five year average of about 21,334 students who have enrolled in classes in the summer. When comparing both the fall and spring to the summer, that means over 20,000 students are not taking classes at MSU, and most likely a majority are not in East Lansing. It is a struggle for businesses to overcome this, but it is something they are well aware of considering the demographics of their main customers.

What's Next for College Students?

Now that college students no longer can qualify for a Bridge Card solely by having college student status, they will need to find other ways to come up with money for groceries. College students who were awarded with a Bridge Card were given up to $200 a month for groceries.  College students will need to find other resources to pay for groceries. Many students will have to look into getting a job or multiple jobs while attending school. By having a job or multiple jobs students will have less free time that they could use to concentrate on school or get involved with a group or a club. In order to eat, students may need to make cuts in other areas and may not be able to purchase necessary school supplies. Students who had a Bridge Card and no longer do, will have to change their habits and their style of living for the next few weeks of school and also for the next few years.

Bridge Cards

In the state of Michigan, The Bridge Card, or the Electronic Benefits Transfer card is a debit card that delivers government benefits by combining electric technologies. The Michigan Bridge Card is issued by the Department of Human Services to purchase food products and access cash benefits. The bridge card has taken the place of paper food stamps and paper checks. The federal government has mandated that all states use use EBT for food assistance benefits. Not everyone can get a Bridge Card, there is an application process. About 4,400 retailers and over 4,000 ATM's are available for Bridge Cards in the state of Michigan.

Alternative Spring Break

ASB's reorientation slideshow offers a good look into what the ASB programs have to offer.

Michigan State University's Alternative Spring Break program's facebook is full of information and cool videos that give you insight into the program, information about the program and many other things. 

On the Washington D.C. HIV and Aids trip, the group worked with the Metro TeenAIDS organization. While working with the organization they went out and gave condoms and safe sex advice to people out on the streets. On their free time the group went sight seeing in Washington D.C. and got to see the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and many more. 

Alternative Spring Break

Alternative Spring Break is a program offered at Michigan State University that provides students with service and leadership opportunities to help make a difference all over the world. Their slogan is, MSU Alternative Spring Break: One week, a world of difference. ASB's mission statement is: Alternative Spring Break encourages the active citizenship of its students through quality service opportunities, education about social issues,and exposer to diverse cultures and communities. The program was founded in 1991 when students from MSU provided assistance in Florida after Hurricane Andrew. Currently the program sends over 300 students on alternative breaks throughout the year including winter and summer.

Michigan vs Duke 3.20.11 Post Game

Duke's Nolan Smith scored a game high 24 points and helped Mike Krzyzewski earn his 900th career victory as the top seeded Duke Blue Devils beat the the Michigan Wolverines 73-71. In the closing seconds of the game Zach Novak secured a rebound off a missed free throw by Nolan Smith and passed it to Darius Morris who drove the length of the court and missed a last second shot that would have tied the game. The Blue Devils never trailed in the second half and held off a strong comeback by the Wolverines after they trailed by 15 points with about 10 minutes left in the second half. Michigan brought it within one twice during the second half but could not take the lead. Duke will advance to the round of 16 for the 12th time in 14 years where they will face the winner of Arizona vs Texas game. Michigan finishes their season with a 21-14 record.

Michigan vs Duke 3.20.11 Pre-Game

In the West region of the 2011 Mens NCAA Tournament the 1 seed Duke Blue Devils will take on the 8 seed Michigan Wolverines today at 2:45.

Duke beat Hampton University in the second round of the tournament 87-45. The Blue Devils are the defending national champions after they beat the Butler Bulldogs in the championship game in 2010. Duke is a well rounded team with a lot of experience. Duke is led by senior Kyle Singler, 2010 NCAA tournaments most outstanding player, and Nolan Smith, the 2011 ACC player of the year. Duke's star freshman Kyle Irving scored 14 points in his first appearance back in the lineup after he suffered a toe injury against the Butler Bulldogs on December 4, 2010. Duke is a favorite to win the tournament again this year but will face a tough opponent today in the Michigan Wolverines.

The Michigan Wolverines beat the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the tournament 75-45. The Wolverines are led by coach John Beilein, sophomore point guard Darius Morris, and  freshman guard Tim Hardaway Jr. Michigan upset the number 4 ranked Blue Devils in 2008. Although it is not a huge rivalry, there is some tension between the two teams that goes back to the days with Michigan's Fab Five.

Duke is a well rounded team that can score, rebound, push the ball up the court, and play tough defense. Michigan is a young small team who plays tough defense and can shoot the three ball. Look for Michigan to play some of their 1-3-1 zone on defense to try contain guards Nolan Smith and Kyle Irving and to force Duke to make the three ball. In Dukes four losses this year they are 26 of 108 from three point range. Duke is the favorite in this game and if they can play tough defense and adjust to the different looks Michigan will show on defense they should win the game. But don't count Michigan out. If Michigan can rebound and get hot from three point range look out. Michigan scored 75 points on Tennessee and not one of them came from the free throw line. Look for Michigan to try get to the free throw line more this game. Michigan will have to shut down Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler and Duke will have to stop Darius Morris and Tim Hardaway Jr.

My Pick: Michigan Wolverines