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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'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.
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.
Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta sorority will be collaborating for their annual Blue & White Scholarship Ball from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
For Casey Chapin, attending college is about more than keeping up with classes.The zoology junior works at Denny's Restaurant, 2701 E.
By Ayranna Wheeler For The State News Students who plan on studying in the Main Library during finals week might want to bring their own chairs. The nonstop cramming sessions for finals in the library has already begun.
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.
By Jason Worthy For The State News For Jamael Williams, credit cards are a way of life. Receiving his first credit card at 16, the now 20-year-old mathematics sophomore was already depending on the card as one would depend on a job salary. "I used it about once every other day," Williams said.
A study conducted by an MSU physician pinpoints those at risk for a deadly bacterial infection.Dele Davies, chairperson of MSU's Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, led the Calgary-based team which found the risk of death from Invasive Staphylococcus aureus, or ISA, is greater in dialysis, transplant and HIV-positive patients than the general population.Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as "staph," is a bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the noses of healthy people.