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MSU

Research sheds light on evolution

What happens when you put together a biologist, a theoretical physicist, a philosopher of science and a computer scientist?With the added help of digital organisms from a computer, the answer is a new way of dealing with Darwin's theory of evolution."You can think of (digital organisms) as being like computer viruses, but ones that can mutate and evolve on their own," said Robert Pennock, associate professor of philosophy for Lyman Briggs School.

MSU

Faculty receive honors

James Tiedje and Michael Thomashow's minds could be tapped by the United States government to consult on science policy issues.That's one of the perks of being elected to the National Academy of Sciences, an elite pool of U.S.

MSU

'U' faces funding cuts, tuition hikes

At her first meeting as interim president, Provost Lou Anna Simon addressed MSU's monetary situation as a state budget crisis has forced the university to prepare for massive cutbacks and possible tuition increases. As the legislature makes its final decision on state appropriations for public universities, MSU could face up to a 6.75-percent funding cut. To manage about a $60 million funding cut, the university will continue to trim department budgets, Simon said. "This is certainly a challenge to the university in terms of quality," she said. Simon cited the cancellation of 12 academic programs and 17 moratoriums, including those taken on by the Department of Audiology and Speech Sciences as part of cutbacks which have already occurred at MSU. Restructuring employment will continue to be a part of dealing with a decrease in state funding, Simon said.

MSU

Ceremony officially opens third floor

Antonio Planas
May 12, 2003

One woman's generosity and vision has resulted in a 12,000 square-foot expansion of the International Center. Okemos resident and MSU alumna Delia Koo contributed the largest donation to the university by an international alumna and the largest donation ever to the international studies program, according to Charles Webb, MSU vice president for University Development.

MSU

Eco members upset over voting policies

Eco officials say they are disappointed a $5 tax for renewable energy will not be added to student tuition bills this fall, even though the referendum was approved by about 3,800 voters. In April, the University Student Appeals Board denied a request by ASMSU to disregard a university rule which requires more than 50 percent of undergraduate students to vote and the majority of those voters to pass a new tax when it's placed on MSU's undergraduate student government's March ballot. The voting numbers were not released until after the board made its decision to deny Eco's request. The number of "no" votes for the tax referendum was less than 1,000. Eco, an environmental student organization, came to ASMSU to have the $5 tax added to the organization's existing $13 tax.

MSU

Student speaks to 'U'

Brandon Lupp tries to do things differently. As a host for the last three out of four College of Agriculture and Natural Resources honors college banquets, he held a cooking show for guests and has taken them on a "trip" around the world. "That banquet required six costume changes," Lupp said, explaining the inspiration for that show came from more than 45 study abroad programs that are offered through his college. He even put on a giant chicken costume and rode a tricycle to make himself seem more approachable. But next week the agriculture and natural resources communications senior will trade the chicken suit for a cap and gown as he addresses students, faculty and staff at MSU's May 2 convocation. And again he will be doing things differently by adding twists to his speech. "I was going to pass out rubber bands to 10,000 people but they didn't think that would work," he said about his original speech plan.

MSU

Design Day helps area student

The sun glimmered off the fresh green paint of Chris Casey's tailor-made tricycle as he took his first spin. Equipped with a padded seat pulled from an Oldsmobile Achieva, an orange flag and a backpack with a built-in water bottle, Casey's favorite part of the cycle is its green-and-white color scheme. "They're MSU," the 21-year-old man said.

MSU

Activists prepare for summer events

Aaron Foley
April 25, 2003

After a tumultuous year of pro- and anti-war demonstrations, affirmative action debates, gender identity discussions and rallies for domestic partner benefits, David Mitchell said it's time for students to recharge. "After a while, you get so many issues thrown at you that you want to get back to the ideas behind them," the human biology junior said. Mitchell, a member of Students For Economic Justice, said his group and other student groups will spend more time organizing small discussions, learning more about current events and preparing for the fall semester. But it won't deter the students from planning bigger summer events, he said.

MSU

Event shows fun at work

Kendra Snyder
April 25, 2003

Alex Gonzales swung her legs from a chair in the Heritage Cafe in the basement of the Union on Thursday afternoon, picking at her plate of macaroni and cheese as she watched MSU students walk past her. In nine years she hopes to be one of them. Gonzales, 9, made a special visit to MSU's campus for "Take Your Child to Work Day," with MSU librarian Shelia Bryant, a friend of her family. The event, organized by the Women's Resource Center, offered a morning full of tours and presentations for more than 100 MSU employees and their children. Gonzales and Bryant toured the Main Library to learn about special collections, followed by a visit to the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden. But Bryant's favorite event was a stop at MSU Laboratory Animal Resources, where the pair learned about research animals and met the staff that cares for them. "My favorite part is when we saw the rats and bunnies and dogs," Gonzales said.

MSU

Big Three to aid 'U' donation campaign

Halfway through the $1.2 billion Campaign for MSU, officials said donations are on the rise and more money could be on the way from Detroit's Big Three automakers. On Tuesday, representatives from the automotive industry will meet with university officials at a formal banquet to kick off the matching donation portion of the fund raiser. For every dollar employees of DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp.

MSU

Campus' cable TV to cut Fox News Channel

Carrie Hoover
April 25, 2003

Fox News Channel, added to campus cable lineups shortly after war began with Iraq, will soon vanish from MSU screens. The channel, which will finish running on May 2, was a temporary addition to the lineup, said Doug Owen, who manages cable television for University Housing.

MSU

New class to teach Tolkien, mythology

Amy Bartner
April 25, 2003

A new class about author J.R.R. Tolkien aims to expose MSU students to a different kind of diversity. "You've got elves, you've got dwarves, you've got men, you've got wizards, and Gandalf - whatever he is," said John Rauk, chairman of the Department of Romance and Classical Languages.

MSU

Energy tax debated

Kendra Snyder
April 24, 2003

The University Student Appeals Board is expected to make a decision next week on whether an almost 20-year-old rule should apply to the fate of a tax on renewable energy.The board discussed the addition of the $5 tax to student tuition with ASMSU and Student Life officials on Wednesday.

MSU

Board hears homosexual discrimination case

MSU's Anti-Discrimination Judicial Board heard comments Wednesday in a case involving former Mason Hall assistant director Carolyn O'Laughlin.O'Laughlin filed a grievance against Residence Life after officials said her domestic partner, Rebecca Linz, was not allowed to live in the residence hall.O'Laughlin's job required her to live on campus and officials said she would be disciplined and eventually terminated if Linz didn't move out.

MSU

Forum discusses Iraq reconstruction

A forum on Iraq almost went bust when the expert panel of MSU professors practically outnumbered the audience.But Tuesday's presidential forum went ahead as planned, addressing issues relating to the reconstruction of Iraq."You basically have to build an economy from nothing," economics professor Max Kreinin said.

MSU

Professor dies after battle with cancer

One of Jacob Joseph Climo's favorite things to do was take long walks on the beach in Haifa, Israel, and appreciate the beauty of the Mediterranean.Climo, an MSU anthropology professor, died Tuesday after a yearlong fight with cancer.