MSU President M. Peter McPherson sat down with several State News staff members, who asked him questions about recent university events. SN: Why the move to Grand Rapids? MPM: We have a very good medical school, but I think it's also true that with support, resources and help, we could have, academically, an extremely strong medical school.
It's mid-afternoon on Monday when the call comes in. The tone goes off - one single beep, followed by a deep male voice over a loudspeaker.
At its last meeting of the semester, the Residence Halls Association decided to undertake a rather large issue - the General Assembly voted on restructuring all four standing committees. The bill, which passed the assembly, 17-0-2, Wednesday, will take effect in the fall.
Byron Brown has been in the Honors College for decades. A current economics professor, he's been an undergraduate adviser in economics for the Honors College and has sat on committees that have decided nominees for different academic awards. For all he's given, he's received some, too. Brown is a recipient of the 2004 Honors College Award for Distinguished Contributions to Honors Students, an annual award given based on nominations from current and former students.
Helen Mindiola was quiet as she went about her work, changing the paper towel roll in the first-floor Main Library bathrooms.
In a Fee Hall lab sits a pile of running shoes. Nike, Reebok, Asics and Adidas pile as far as the eye can see as technicians run two shoe design and testing research labs. The Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratories were developed to test different types of shoes.
For mechanical engineering senior Sumedh Mokashi, the smiles he sees on the faces of three children eagerly trying out their new therapy cycle puts his major into perspective. "Look at him, he's so happy," Mokashi said.
A cornucopia of club leaders, academic achievers, sorority and fraternity members and community volunteers came together in the dimly lit Union Ballroom on Tuesday night for the third annual Student Life Leadership Awards. "It's a token of how we feel about the good work they do during the academic year," said Fred Watson, assistant director for the Department of Student Life. More than 100 people attended the event, which included a dessert reception.
The Graduate Employees Union will be marching across campus Thursday to defend teaching assistants' jobs, union President Scott Henkel said. Graduate employees, faculty and community members will march in protest of any possible TA positions being cut before next fall.
A two-year study is underway at MSU to uncover issues facing female students, faculty and staff. The study, called the "Status of Women Project," will use information gleaned from personal and group interviews to assess the climate and needs for women. "This evolved out of a request from the Women's Advisory Committee to the Provost," said Provost Lou Anna Simon, who said the initial idea for the study emerged about a year ago. Simon said the university historically has collected basic information about women on campus through annual MSU diversity reports, which compile statistics about international students and racial, ethnic and social minorities.
Several MSU police officers are moving through the ranks, as three officers received promotions within the department and one officer has accepted a position at an Ohio university. Sgt.
By Jun Yang Special for The State News Some student leaders say that the campus water supply system needs an upgrade, but officials argue that a lack of funding is hindering that effort.
Applications for students wishing to be appointed to open ASMSU Student Assembly seats are available in 307 Student Services.
Another group of e-mail accounts has been found to be part of the about 6,000 people affected by a software glitch last week. A new group of about 400 account holders received an e-mail Wednesday urging them also to change their account passwords, after it was found they, too, were at risk.
The future ASMSU Web site might be "flashed up a little bit" as members work to make a more exciting online resource for students. Student Assembly Chairperson Andrew Schepers laid out plans for a frequently updated Web site that will include calendars, polls, bills and a message board for student comments.
Tuesday's Academic Council meeting spurred administration compliments for faculty involvement. Only about 50 members of the council met at the International Center, but 64 were needed to vote on agenda items.
One of the events in this year's Greek Week is among the best of its kind in the nation. Fraternities and sororities donated more than $100,000 to the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life.
A new endowment will allow the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management in the Eli Broad College of Business to add a new top professor to the staff. The $2 million endowment is called the Hoagland-Metzler Endowed Chair in Purchasing Supply Management at the Eli Broad College of Business.
It's not every day that the birth of a country is commemorated with a moonwalk on campus. But on Tuesday, a brightly colored, inflatable castle stood out under overcast skies near the rock on Farm Lane, which was painted white with blue lettering outlining a Star of David and the words, "Happy Birthday Israel." The festivities recognizing Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's independence day, were sponsored by the Jewish Student Union and Hillel Jewish Student Center.
Grape enthusiasts looking for advice on growing the juicy fruits now can find help just a mouse click away because of a team of MSU researchers. A new Web site at www.grapes.msu.edu, features information for Michigan grape growers on research-based, integrated pest management, or IPM, while providing other resources through industry links. The site provides growers with resources such as vineyard management advice from MSU Extension specialists, as well as pest identification information. The grape-dedicated site was funded by MSU's IPM Program and Project GREEEN, Generating Research and Extension to meet Environmental and Economic Needs, Michigan's plant agriculture initiative at MSU.