This is The State for Wednesday, March 26th where we bring you the headlines that matter. I'm Rachel Fulton.
For our first story of the day focusing on campus news,
Two chemistry professors, Babak Borhan and James Jackson, are facing scrutiny over their NSF-funded project, which examines halogenation reactions in chemistry. What caught the attention of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz? The word "diversity."
Their project, part of a broader initiative to support underrepresented students in STEM, was flagged as part of a database created by Cruz that targets research linked to "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (DEI). The database, compiled in October 2024, flagged over 3,400 NSF grants it considers tied to "neo-Marxist" themes. For Borhan and Jackson, the word "diversity" appeared in their project's "broader impact" section, which is required in NSF proposals to outline societal benefits.
Their research focuses on education, particularly through Project Seed, which helps low-income high school students gain hands-on scientific experience. Borhan believes the focus on diversity in their work is why their project was flagged--yet the content of their research, which is pure science, had nothing to do with the controversial topics Cruz is targeting.
While the flagged projects haven't seen funding cuts yet, researchers like Borhan are worried about the future of their work. As Borhan puts it, halting scientific research isn't like turning a faucet off and on--once halted, it's hard to get it going again.
For our second story focusing on more campus news,
At Michigan State University, when a student is accused of academic dishonesty, they face a lengthy and complex process, according to Jairahel Price, director of the student rights advocates office. Students can contest the allegations by requesting a hearing, but only about 22% of students are cleared of wrongdoing. For some, the penalties may seem minor, like writing an extra essay or taking an online course on academic integrity. But for others, especially international students or those reliant on scholarships, the consequences can jeopardize their entire academic future.
Meanwhile, the university's handling of a plagiarism accusation against College of Education Dean Jerlando Jackson raises questions about how such cases are treated differently for students and high-ranking faculty. After Jackson was accused in October 2024, MSU's research integrity officer conducted a "preliminary assessment" but decided not to pursue further investigation, despite allegations of Jackson lifting text without citation in his work. The assessment's findings were mostly redacted, adding to concerns about transparency.
Price pointed out the double standard in how students and faculty are treated, noting that students don't get the same "luxury" of a preliminary review before an investigation. While Price sympathized with Jackson, who faced racial bias amid the allegations, she emphasized that MSU's handling of such cases could be more transparent to uncover any inconsistencies in how plagiarism claims are addressed across the university.
In Jackson's case, the university cleared him after a brief review, while students face much longer, more public disciplinary processes. This contrast has sparked concerns over fairness and transparency, with calls for the university to clarify its procedures in dealing with academic dishonesty allegations.
For our final story focusing on events and entertainment,
Yesterday, the New Orleans Songbook by Jazz at Lincoln Center made a special stop at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts' Cobb Great Hall, featuring music that celebrated the rich musical heritage of New Orleans. The performance included iconic works by legendary artists like Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Ellis Marsalis, and James Black, led by music director, arranger, and pianist Luther S. Allison, a 2019 Michigan State University graduate.
After winning a Grammy in 2024 as an accompanist on Samara Joy's album Tight, Allison returned to East Lansing as part of the tour. Reflecting on his time at MSU, he expressed deep gratitude for the city that shaped his musical journey. "East Lansing is a second home to me," he said, crediting MSU faculty like Rodney Whitaker and Randy Gillespie for their pivotal role in his development.
Allison's excitement to return was palpable, as he looked forward to reconnecting with old friends, professors, and seeing how the city had evolved. "To come back and be music directing this tour... it's heartwarming," he shared.
The New Orleans Songbook performance aimed not only to entertain but also to educate the audience on the depth of New Orleans' musical legacy. Allison shared a similar sentiment, hoping the audience would experience a range of emotions and leave feeling "healed" by the music.
Before we end our episode, today's weather forecast is predicting sunshine and some clouds with a high of 44 degrees and a low of 29 degrees.
Thank you for joining us for The State... Produced by The State News and Impact eighty-nine F-M. You can find us online at State News dot com and Impact eight-nine F-M dot org. We'll be back tomorrow with more.